Schakowsky’s Statement on Wisconsin Protests over Workers’ Rights

WASHINGTON, DC (February 17, 2011) — Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) issued the following statement in response to protests over Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker's proposals to cut benefits and curtail public workers' collective bargaining rights.

"Under the guise of addressing state budget woes — which he helped create — Governor Scott Walker of Wisconsin is trying to make cuts by taking it out of the hides of public-sector workers. These are middle-class people who provide essential community services, including nurses and teachers. On top of that, Walker is going after these workers' basic rights. He has proposed to gut fundamental American protections -- the ability for individuals to organize, stand up for their rights, and engage in collective bargaining with their employers. It's no wonder the people are coming out in droves to protest.

"Walker's plans can be seen as nothing short of an attack on unions and the middle class, which could not be more disingenuous since he has already given millions of dollars in tax breaks to the rich in less than two months on the job. I stand with the workers of Wisconsin, workers in my state of Illinois, and with the everyday Americans around the country who make up the backbone of our communities and our country. Our fiscal challenges — at the state or national level — will not be remedied on the backs of the people who had nothing to do with creating the mess."