February 22, 2011

NEARI stands up for Wisconsin workers

President Larry Purtill calls fight 'historic'

National Education Association Rhode Island (NEARI) President Larry Purtill spoke today in support of Wisconsin teachers and public employees as they maintain their vigil in protest of Governor Scott Walker’s move to eliminate collective bargaining.

“What is happening right now in Wisconsin is historic,” he said. “Citizens are joining union workers in support of teachers, nurses, firefighters, snow plow drivers, and others who keep their state running.

“This protest is about fairness – about public sector employees retaining a voice in their profession. The proposed legislation strips away worker rights and destroys the collaborative partnerships that have been established between labor and management in Wisconsin. It’s not about pay and benefits, pensions and health care,” he said.

“If Governor Walker were interested in simply saving money, he would agree to come to the table to work out a compromise. Instead, the governor wants to silence the voices of public sector employees by engaging in union busting.”

NEARI and its 11,000 members stand in support of unionized public employees of Wisconsin, and in particular, educators who are members of the Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC) . The NEA family nationwide has come out in force to support members and colleagues in Wisconsin, as well as those in Idaho, Indiana, New Jersey, Ohio, Tennessee, and other states facing similar collective bargaining challenges.