Newburgh teachers came out to support their union.
By Nancy Peckenham
Nearly one thousand area labor union members rallied at the intersection of Routes 17K and 300 late Monday afternoon to bring attention to what they are calling a ‘war on workers.” The rally, one of a series planned throughout the state and throughout the nation, is part of the We Are One campaign to win respect for the rights of union members at a time when public sector unions in states like Wisconsin and Ohio are being targeted and undermined.
Teamster Charlie Clouse (left) joined other union members at the rally.
Monday’s rally attracted truckers, electricians, teachers and health care workers. Workers representing more than twenty different union locals brought signs, American flags and their voices to each of the four corners of the intersection just as rush hour traffic was building up.
Teachers from the Newburgh Enlarged City School District and other nearby school districts turned out in large numbers as they see the school budget cuts from Albany targeting many of their jobs. “This year’s budget round has been terrible,” said Lee Cutler, a Newburgh resident who is the secretary-general of the New York State United Teachers. “It’s the Tea Party’s fantasy that takes advantage of tough economic times to vilify public employees and teachers.”
Berenda Johnson, teaching assistant in Newburgh's pre-k program, shouted in support of union rights.
Across the street, members of the Teamsters Union, the Steelworkers and Electrical Workers hoisted large American flags on tall rigs and spoke to the crowd. John Sager, an organizer with IBEW Local 363, rallied the crowd, telling people that it was time to take a stand to stop the erosion of pensions, health insurance and other benefits that are fundamental for a decent standard of living. “We’ve got a war going on,” Sager said. “They want to take away our future rights and we have to stand up for our country.”
Charlie Clouse drove all the way down from Yulan to join the Newburgh rally. He agreed that times are bad. He’s in the trucking industry and he said there just aren’t any jobs out there.
CWA members dominated one corner of the intersection during the rally.
The union activists did not encounter any hostility as they stood on the roadside for two hours – many people honked horns and waved as they passed by and union members cheered every time they felt public support. Rally organizers chose April 4th because it is the anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who was killed in Memphis, Tennessee, where he had gone to support striking sanitation workers.
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