Labor Supporters Speak Out at Collective Bargaining Hearing in Des Moines

By Mark Geary, Reporter

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By Aaron Hepker

Story Created: Mar 7, 2011 at 11:39 PM CST

Story Updated: Mar 7, 2011 at 11:39 PM CST

DES MOINES, Iowa - Union workers from just about every field lined up outside the capitol to send a message to lawmakers inside.

“People in the private sector…I made a choice to be a teacher and they made a choice to be in the private sector. There’s no comparison,” Cedar Rapids teacher Kathy Ulrich said.

Retired Cedar Rapids Para-Educator Sunny Story said, “The unions services have given us the 40 hour work week, overtime pay, workman’s comp and all those kinds of things.”

Protesters filled all three floors of the rotunda area. Frustrations about feeling unheard filled their faces and echoed through the building.

“It’s just the solidarity. It’s all of us together and binding together so we can get something done,” Cedar Rapids teacher Sarah Evan-Schwartz said.

Cedar Rapids teacher Jessica Mooberry said,“When you believe in something and you know something wrong, you’ve got to fight for it. That’s what I would tell my students.”

After the rally, the crow filtered into the House to voice their concerns.

While crowds really couldn’t compare to those seen in Wisconsin, people promised they’d come back again with more friends.

Sixty one speakers spoke against the bill Monday night. Five spoke in favor.

Lawmakers could debate the House bill in question as early as Tuesday.

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