Unions rally at Capitol, object to budget cuts (New Mexico)

Source: AP

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Labor unions are flexing their political muscle in New Mexico against proposed budget cuts and in defense of collective bargaining rights.

Several hundred people rallied at the Capitol on Tuesday in support of union workers in Wisconsin, which are protesting a plan by the Republican governor to roll back public employees' rights to negotiate benefits and working conditions.

There's no push under way in the Legislature to repeal collective bargaining, but union officials and Democratic lawmakers who spoke at the rally said New Mexico workers must be ready to defend their rights in the future.

A proposed budget will require public employees to pay more for their pensions while the state lowers its contributions to cut costs. Labor leaders want lawmakers to consider closing tax loopholes to balance the budget


Read more: http://www.necn.com/02/22/11/Unions-rally-at-Capitol-object-to-budget/landing_politics.html?&blockID=3&apID=7ff156ef21c64f7b87aa667d87d2ae1a

that they'd better not get any funny ideas. .

from some of the pols...especially Sen. Cisco McSorley, who's always been a good guy, but he was really fired up today. I wish I heard that kind of passion from every elected Democrat in this country. When only a few have it, the repubs can focus on defeating them, like Grayson, but if EVERY SINGLE FREAKIN' ONE OF 'EM was this passionate about being on the side of the people, I firmly believe the repubes never would have gotten in the position they have to cause the harm they have for decades, culminating in their all out assault of 2011.
We have a new teabagger governor , so pre-emptive organizing against any future assault on worker's rights is a smart idea here. ...And everywhere...