Events

In the wake of a massive outpouring of support for the occupation of Wisconsin’s capitol by students and public sector workers, New Yorkers rallied last week at New York City Hall, and an emerging coalition will meet Saturday at Hostos College to plan for more action. The coalition includes numerous public sector unions, the South Bronx Community Congress, the Freedom Party, the CUNY Mobilization Network, the Coalition for Public Education, and the Bail Out the People Movement.

 “They have pushed us and pushed us till we’re right at the cliff,” said Ramon Jimenez, a leader of the South Bronx Community Congress and 2010 Freedom Party candidate for New York attorney general. “We’ve got to turn around and push back,” he added. “We need to come together around a common strategy.”

The CUNY Mobilization Network has been meeting with union leaders in recent weeks to plan a “Day of Rage” on March 24 at City Hall. “Students want to combine their demands with the workers because it’s really one fight,” said Larry Hales, one of the CUNY organizers. “For example,” he added, “the school closings hurt everyone – students, communities and workers.”

The campaign to end mayoral control of the school system and fire Cathie Black has brought many of these groups together. And the mayor’s and governor’s budget proposals – with attacks on the unions, cuts to social services, and plans to end the “Millionaires’ tax” – have brought more forces into the coalition.

Labor movement participants in the March 5 meeting include Santos Crespo, newly elected president of DC37 Local 372; Ed Rodriguez, president of DC37 Local 1549 and Michelle Keller-Ng, Executive Vice President of DC 37, Local 375, both of whom spoke at the February 24 City Hall protest; Chris Silvera, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 808; Benita Johnson, Recording Secretary of Transport Workers Union Local 100; Hank Sambach, Recording Secretary of DC37 Local 1930; and Ed Figueroa, Chief Steward for the Bronx of District 32BJ-Schools Division, Service Employees International Union.

The March 5 citywide meeting at Hostos College will take place at the Savoy Manor, on Walton Avenue and 149^th Street, on the second floor, from 3 to 6pm. For more information contact Ramon Jimenez of the South Bronx Community Congress at 917-517-1320, or email LaborCommunityForum@gmail.com.