Americans Soundly Reject Attacks on the Middle Class

Washington, D.C.--SEIU International President Mary Kay Henry released the following statement in response to the introduction of the so-called National Right to Work Act" by anti-middle class and anti-worker U.S. Senators:

"Make no mistake--this is political payback to bad actor CEOs and wealthy donors like the billionaire Koch brothers who spent millions on last year's elections. These are the same big corporations raking in record profits while refusing to pay their fair share in taxes to keep our cities and states running.

"Instead of putting America back to work, these politicians want to destroy even more jobs and let Wall Street and other CEOs decide how many nurses we have at the bedside, how many teachers are in our classrooms, how many firefighters we have at the ready, and how many plow drivers we have on the roads.

"Americans soundly reject these political attacks on the middle class. That's why tens of thousands of families, students, faith leaders and other Americans continue to take to the streets in state capitals and cities across the country.

"It's time for our leaders to get their priorities straight. Instead of rewarding their billionaire friends and big corporate contributors, we need to come together to create quality jobs. Instead of handing out more tax breaks to big corporations raking in record profits, we need to reverse the race to the bottom that is hurting middle class families across the country."

With more than 70 percent of Americans opposed to the attacks on the middle class in Wisconsin and elsewhere, workers today testified on Capitol Hill about the impact of the attacks on the middle class:

"...I am very concerned about what is happening in our country under the guise of solving budget problems. Politicians in my home state of Ohio and many other states are making proposals for so-called 'budget repairs' that are really a toolkit for not only shattering our fragile economic recovery, but for putting our public safety at risk, too."

"As your public servants and as your fellow taxpayers...we are here to plead with you not to let anyone destroy what remains of the working class, and we pledge that we will work side by side with you to reweave the sturdy economic fabric of Ohio and our great country."

Find full testimony here: http://democrats.edworkforce.house.gov/blog/2011/03/witness-statements-for-hearing.shtml

With 2.2 million members in Canada, the United States and Puerto Rico, SEIU is the fastest-growing union in the Americas. Focused on uniting workers in healthcare, public services and property services, SEIU members are winning better wages, healthcare and more secure jobs for our communities, while uniting their strength with their counterparts around the world to help ensure that workers--not just corporations and CEOs--benefit from today's global economy.

"

###