Thousands to march and rally in Waynesburg, Pa. on April 1

The United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) is sponsoring a We Are One Solidarity March and Rally In Waynesburg, Pa. on April 1, 2011, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. At least 3,000 UMWA members, their families and other union members and supporters are expected to attend.

This will be the first major labor rally of its kind in support of collective bargaining and the labor movement outside of those states where public employee collective bargaining rights are under attack or have already been stripped from dedicated public servants.

“The fight to not just maintain but expand workers’ rights in America has only just begun,” UMWA International President Cecil E. Roberts said. “This is but the first of the many expressions of solidarity Americans will see from the labor movement in the coming weeks, months and years. We are all in this together, and we are going to keep up the fight until we prevail.”

The April 1 Rally will also serve as the kick-off event in the UMWA’s fight to achieve a fair nationwide coal contract for active and retired members. The current contract expires at the end of 2011. UMWA members will also be carrying on their fight to persuade Alpha Natural Resources to open two new coal mines in the area as union mines.

The event in Waynesburg will include a 1.5 mile march on Pa. Route 21, a rally at the Green County Fairgrounds, and a family picnic. UMWA members from Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Maryland, Virginia and other states will attend the rally. Union members from those states as well as Wisconsin, the District of Columbia and elsewhere will also be on hand.

WHAT:

We Are One Solidarity March and Rally

WHO:

United Mine Workers of America and other unions

WHEN:

April 1, 2011; 11:00 a.m - 3:00 p.m.

WHERE:

Greene County (Pa.) Fairgrounds, Waynesburg, Pa.
One mile west of I-79 on Rte. 21

SPEAKERS:

Cecil E. Roberts, UMWA International President
Daniel J. Kane, UMWA International Secretary-Treasurer
Stephanie Bloomingdale, Secretary-Treasurer, Wisconsin State AFL-CIO
William Lucy, former Secretary-Treasurer, AFSCME