Labor says governor's(Schwarzenegger) proposal 'gouges the middle class'

http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/438720.html
By Aurelio Rojas - Bee Capitol Bureau

Published 12:00 am PDT Thursday, October 18, 2007
Story appeared in MAIN NEWS section, Page A4


Prodded by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's veto of a plan backed by Democrats to expand health care coverage, labor unions Wednesday began 48-hour vigils around the state to oppose the Republican governor's proposal.

The vigils, including prayer and fasting, outside the Capitol and the governor's district offices mark a change in what until now has been a behind-the-scenes effort by labor to influence the debate over the 6.7 million Californians without health insurance.


Preparations begin Wednesday for a candlelight vigil outside the Capitol by unions and other groups protesting Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's health care plan. Sacramento Bee/José Luis Villegas

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Bill Camp, executive secretary of the Sacramento Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, said the public demonstrations are "not about one group or another."

"It's really about asking the leadership of our state to put together real, affordable, quality health care that stops the escalating costs that are strangling our business communities and our workers," Camp said at a news conference outside the Capitol.

But the campaign is being directed by a prominent Democratic political consultant, Chris Lehane, who was hired by the California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO. The effort also includes the Service Employees International Union as well as consumer and faith-based groups.

During a conference call with reporters, federation chief Art Pulaski charged that Schwarzenegger's plan does not "share responsibility" – as the governor contends – but actually "gouges the middle class."

FULL story at link.