Sandra Jackson at 916-325-1550 or Mike Myslinski, 650-552-5324
CTA President David A. Sanchez and California educators from around the state will join public sector union employees and supporters at a “We Are One” candlelight vigil Tuesday evening on the West Steps of the Capitol in Sacramento as a show of solidarity for Wisconsin teachers and public employees whose collective bargaining rights are under attack.
"This fight is about far more than cutting salaries and benefits of dedicated public servants," said Sanchez, president of the 325,000-member California Teachers Association, who will speak at the vigil. "It is about fighting Gov. Scott Walker’s cynical attempt to undermine the rights of teachers and public sector workers to have a say in their professions. The ability of educators to collectively bargain their contracts has resulted not only in improved working conditions, but in improved learning conditions for students.”
Other organizations sponsoring the vigil include AFSCME, SEIU 1000, the California Labor Federation and the Sacramento Central Labor Council. CTA is also mobilizing in support of Wisconsin workers at www.cta.org, and is part of the 3.2 million-member National Education Association, which is also fighting Gov. Walker’s union-busting efforts.
· WHAT: California educators to join other public employee union members at a candlelight vigil in Sacramento to support Wisconsin teachers and other public employees in that state whose rights to bargain collectively are under attack.
· WHEN: Gathering starts 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 22. Speakers, candlelight vigil are at 6 p.m.
· WHERE: West steps of the State Capitol, Sacramento.
· MORE INFO: See CTA Wisconsin mobilization effort, Facebook and Twitter campaigns, and the national petition drive at www.cta.org/About-CTA/News-Room/Wisconsin
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The 325,000-member CTA is affiliated with the 3.2 million-member National Education Association.