"NYS WE ARE ONE" - 15,000 RALLY IN TIMES SQUARE



"NYS WE ARE ONE" - 15,000 RALLY IN TIMES SQUARE

15,000 union members rallied in Times Square on Saturday, April 9, 2011

All sectors of the labor movement stood in solidarity delivering one simple message:

"We Are One-Respect Our Rights"

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New York State AFL-CIO & Central Labor Council Hold Solidarity Rally On Behalf of New York's Working Men and Women

Labor's Message: "We Are One - Respect Our Rights"

New York City -- The New York State AFL-CIO and the New York City Central Labor Council held a giant rally in Times Square on Saturday on behalf of workers' rights in both the Empire State and throughout the country.

Workers from the public sector, private sector and building trades lined Seventh Avenue, starting at 42nd Street and stretching several blocks south, in a show of solidarity to deliver one simple message: "We Are One - Respect Our Rights."

The rally was held in response to unprecedented attacks on the rights of working men and women to organize, to engage in collective bargaining and to hold safe those benefits won at the bargaining table over the past 50 years. It was one of more than 1,200 AFL-CIO Days of Action events - rallies, teach-ins, faith services and town halls - held throughout the week of April 4th.

Denis M. Hughes, President of the New York State AFL-CIO, stated, "Working men and women across the country are under attack like never before. But as today's rally has shown, these attacks have only served to energize working people. Today's massive turnout is a testament to New York labor's strength, solidarity and commitment to our shared sense of purpose. For anyone who doubts our resolve, our message today is clear: We are one movement, and we demand that our rights be respected.

"New York's labor movement is rich in tradition when it comes to the unity and solidarity of its members. That's why it comes as no surprise that brothers and sisters from all sectors of our movement; public sector, private sector and building trades, stood together side by side, to respond to these unprecedented attacks.

"With 2 ½ million union members in this state, the labor movement will continue to speak with one voice on behalf of all working people. We urge all those interested in the future well-being of our state, to join us in a thoughtful and comprehensive dialogue regarding the important issues of shared concern and interest facing all New Yorkers."