Union Workers Rally to Support Wisconsin Workers

Seventy people demonstrated at Rogers Park Tuesday evening in support of unions and in opposition to the efforts by the Wisconsin legislature to reduce the collective bargaining rights of unions in that state.

“The unions protect us,” said Sherry Arell, a member of both the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.

Arell, who said she typically plays an extra when she is acting, said as a union worker, she is better paid and better fed than the non-union actors who work with her.

“It’s much easier for the big guys to step on the little guys individually,” Arell said. “It’s harder to step on a larger group.”

The hour-long demonstration drew friendly horn beeps repeatedly from passing cars.

Joseph Schussler of Brookfield, a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, said he does not want to see the state legislature disturbing union rights in Connecticut.

“I would not like to see that here,” Schussler said.

Another union worker, Tony Garcia, who is president of the Laborers International Union North America 675 Danbury Local, said it’s been a sad two weeks for unions in America.

“Our rights are slowly being taken away,” Garia said. “We need to step up.”