Minnesota: University AFSCME strike shakes campus; Thousands rally in support

http://www.fightbacknews.org/2007/09/uofmstrikeday1.htm

By staff

Minneapolis, MN - Amid cheering striking workers, students and faculty, Elizabeth Edwards, wife of presidential candidate John Edwards, spoke in support of University of Minnesota clerical, technical and health care workers, Sept. 5. The rally was one of the high points in the first day of the strike.

Edwards was followed by SEIU Local 26 president Javier Morrello. Joe Rofler, president of the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees spoke and donated $5000 to the U of M Workers Support fund.

AFSCME Council 5 pledged the support of tens of thousands of AFSCME members in Minnesota. Additional messages of solidarity were received from AFA, ATU 1005 and Teamsters Local 120. A group of teamsters carried a banner reading, “Rank and file teamsters support AFSCME strike.”

Al Franken visited picket lines around campus this morning accompanied by ‘Stuart Smalley’ who offered strikers the to join him in the affirmation, “I’m good enough, I’m strong enough and gosh darn it I deserve a fair contract.”

In addition many members of the campus community attended the rally including professors, civil service staff and students. The enthusiastic support was welcomed by strikers. One striking worker said, “All of this support is tremendously powerful, it helps keep me strong on the picket line. I want people to understand why I am on strike, I am not striking to buy a Lexus, I am striking to be able to survive.”

FULL story at link.