Tyner, right, has been organizing the rally for 24 years
POUGHKEEPSIE – The message was loud and clear during Monday’s annual Labor Day rally on the steps of the main post office in Poughkeepsie – Washington is trying to break the unions, but they will resist and grow even stronger.
Dutchess County Legislator Joel Tyner has organized the rallies for 24 years and this one drew some 30 people. Among them Beth Soto, executive director of the Hudson Valley Area Labor Federation.
“Labor has been under attack but labor is coming back,” Soto told the enthusiastic supporters.
Joseph Stafford of 1199 SEIU was fired up with his message.
“We are labor; we love labor and we are out here to make some noise and let people know that we are not going to be crippled by Janis law,” Stafford said. “We’re not going to be crippled by the CEOs who are running the big business. We are not going to be crippled by Number 45, because he’s not my president.”
Rebecca Garrard, president of the Webutuck Teachers Association, said unions must stick together for the betterment of society.
“I firmly believe that labor solidarity will be once again how we create a middle class in this country instead of two groups, the haves and the have nots,” Garrard said.
Tyner called for an immediate minimum wage increase for local workers to
$15 per hour.
