CHICAGO – Over 200 federal workers and their supporters used their lunch hour on March 16th to protest budget cuts. Many are members of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE). They work mostly in vital services such as Social Security, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Labor, Housing and Urban Development and Veterans Affairs.
The budget cuts already in place and the even more severe ones being proposed by House Republicans threaten not only the jobs of these public workers, but also people helping programs that protect our homes, our food, our water and deal with dangerous disaster situations like nuclear plant safety and oil spills. Protesters called for an end to privatization in government services and taxing the corporations and the rich to preserve these vital public services.
These government workers expressed great pride that they are joining a rising tide of demonstrations around the country and the world fighting for union rights and fairness against corporate and rightwing attacks.
Chicago Federal Workers Protest 3-16-11 from Scott Marshall on Vimeo.
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