German Workers Rally in Solidarity with Wisconsin Public Employees

[1776Forever]

German Workers Rally in Solidarity with Wisconsin Public Employees

http://blog.aflcio.org/2011/03/11/german-workers-rally-in-solidarity-with-wisconsin-public-employees/

Teresa Casertano in the AFL-CIO Organizing Department sends us this report.

As tens of thousands of Wisconsin residents rally and march across the state tomorrow for the fourth weekend in a row, they will receive support from union members in Berlin who are holding a solidarity rally. Members of the German telecommunications union, ver.di, will turn out to to support bargaining rights for workers in the United States. They know that collective bargaining is not possible unless workers are able to join unions and participate in their own organizations free from the fear of reprisals by their employers.


In a letter to Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, who is trying to take away the right of public employees to bargain for a good, middle-class life, Frank Bsirske, chairman of the United Services Union ver.di of Germany, said Walker’s “proposed unilateral action” is:

"an attack on one of the fundamental pillars in a well-developed democracy, where social dialogue and collective bargaining through trade unions secure constructive relationships between employers and employees. This kind of relationship has proved its high value in many countries, both in times of economic growth and during crisis."

(more at link)

................

I don't know about you but I got chills when I read this! Germany has strong Unions and we should learn from them in this country that Unions will make us stronger not weaker!

Thank you Germany!

:yourock:

[myrna minx]

1. Excellent. K&R n/t

[Scuba]

2. Thank you German workers!!!!

[Marblehead]

3. and they should know

[1776Forever]

8. Yes they should! This is from the article:

"Ver.di was shocked and disappointed that a German employer that has participated in dialogue and collective bargaining in its home country would stoop to the worst union-busting practices in its operations in the United States and other countries. Because they expect better from Deutsche Telekom they have taken a leadership role along with the the global labor movement to carry out a coordinated campaign to ensure that all Deutsche Telekom/ T-Mobile workers can exercise their right to organize and bargain collectively free from fear and intimidation."

[femrap]

4. After WW2,

Trade Unions were given a very strong place in society so someone like Hitler couldn't come back and get rid of them like he did in 1933. Without strong unions/guilds, fascism is easy. Just look around.

[1776Forever]

5. Very good analogy! You are so right on that! Thanks! More people need to know history! n/t

[femrap]

6. If I remember correctly, the Allieds

firmly recommended that Trade Unions be a strong part of the German culture. Here it was our idea....and now look at us.

[1776Forever]

9. Yes Eisenhower was very pro-labor - As you say "Now look at us"....

This is a great post on Eisenhower:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x441619

[JuniperLea]

7. Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it...

Thank you, Germany, for your fantastic memory and your support!

[1776Forever]

10. I'll Kick to that! n/t

[Omaha Steve]

11. K&R!

[eleny]

12. Workers of the world uniting

I think I have something in my eye.

[mdmc]

13. r

[leftstreet]

14. K&R

[Aristus]

15. Danke sehr zur unsere Freunde im Deutschland!

Wir sind alle zusammen!

:thumbsup::fistbump:

[highplainsdem]

16. K&R. And everyone, please check that link for what it says about T-Mobile employees here.

http://blog.aflcio.org/2011/03/11/german-workers-rally-in-solidarity-with-wisconsin-public-employees/

T-Mobile is owned by Deutsche Tekekom, most of whose 132,000 workers in Germany are union members. Meanwhile, this is what's happening to 40,000 T-Mobile workers in the US:

Ver.di members have learned about the reality for T-Mobile workers in the United States, as T-Mobile USA workers have told stories of being instructed to turn in their colleagues for receiving union materials or to report any gathering of workers, even if they take place in the evening or on weekends. U.S. workers described their terror of even learning about their rights fearing that any demonstration of interest in the union would result in reprimand, reprisals surrounding promotions or opportunities for advancement, or outright dismissal.

[1776Forever]

17. Thanks for the K - I wish this would be reported on MSM but I know I am dreaming! n/t

[Poboy]

18. Recommend!

[Enthusiast]

19. K&R

All around the world citizens are recognizing peril facing working class Americans.