Labor Unions to Join Occupy Wall Street

Why Unions Joined In and What's Planned for Occupying DC

(This is the 3rd of 3 articles I posted today)

New York City labor unions are preparing to back anti-corporate Occupy Wall Street protests and send thousands more people into the streets. The Transit Workers Union Local 100's executive committee voted unanimously Wednesday night to support the protesters. The union claims 38,000 members. The coalition is planning a rally on Oct. 5, 2011.

And SEIU 32BJ, which represents doormen, security guards and maintenance workers, is using its Oct. 12 rally to express solidarity with the Zuccotti Park protesters. (Source HuffPo)

Both the New York Metro Area Postal Union and SEIU 1199 are also considering such moves.

On last night's Keith Olbermann's Countdown, guest-host David Shuster had plenty of great interviews and information on the Occupy Wall Street protests. Shuster spoke with the city's Transport Workers Union president John Samuelsen (first video below) about why his fellow workers are coming out in the thousands in support of these grassroots protests. The answer: because they are are “singing the same song and fighting the same battle."

Meanwhile, solidarity protests are spreading throughout the country and world. Kevin Zeese, one of the leaders of October2011.Org* spoke (second video below) about plans for an occupation of Washington, DC's Freedom Plaza claiming that this new series of protests was akin to Medieval Serf revolt.

"In the middle ages, 2% of the population controlled 90% of the wealth. Now 1% controls 95% of the wealth. We're worse than the middle ages, and it's time for the serfs to revolt!" Awesome, let's storm the castle!

* October 2011 is the 10th anniversary of the invasion of Afghanistan and the beginning of the 2012 federal austerity budget. It is time to light the spark that sets off!

The politicians and the corporations created these conditions for us...that's why we're having an American Autumn (as they had an Arab Spring).

Related Post: Occupy Wall Street - Protesters Under Government Attack

Related Post: As the 99% Occupy Wall Street, the 99ers Occupy WalMart

Videos originally posted October 1, 2011, 6:36 am at Alternet.