Some recent events in the Chicago labor movement...

On Tuesday, February 17th, Chicago was the place to be for some of the country’s highest ranking labor leaders. AFL-CIO president John Sweeney, Chair of Change to Win Anna Burger and President of the Laborers International Union, Terence O’Sullivan were all in attendance at a rally at Plumber’s Hall for the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA). The event is part of organized labor’s ongoing effort to mobilize its forces for a massive push for passage of EFCA. President Obama has repeatedly promised to sign the bill if it comes to his desk and most Democrats have vowed to support it, but big business is exerting massive pressure of its own to defeat the legislation. Attendance was I think way beyond what was expected and Plumber’s Hall was packed to the rafters. Many of those who arrived late had to be turned away at the front door.

Here are some pics from the rally…

http://s207.photobucket.com/albums/bb5/kronstadt2/EFCA%20Rally%20Feb%2009/

Last week’s episode of Labor Express Radio focused on EFCA, including interviews with Sweeney, Burger and O’Sullivan. You can download last week’s program here…

http://www.archive.org/details/LaborExpressFor2-22-09

Last Wednesday, the Chicago Teacher’s Union, CORE (The Caucus of Rank and File Educators) and numerous parent groups and community organizations held a rally outside the board of education to protest the boards decision that day to close 16 more public schools next year, the latest phase of Renaissance 2010, the City’s plan to privatize 10% of Chicago’s public schools. You can find more pictures from the rally here…

http://s207.photobucket.com/albums/bb5/kronstadt2/Anti-Ren2010%20Rally%20Feb%2009/

AND TUNE IN TO TOMORROW’S LABOR EXPRESS RADIO PROGRAM FOR AUDIO FROM THE RALLY!

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