Protests, rallies, demonstrations and information sessions hit Madison this Spring as labor organizers look to combat anti-worker policies of the current presidential administration.
Union Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers Local 1186 (UE 1186), the union that represents Willy Street Co-op workers, released a “Solidarity Calendar” that features planned rallies and information sessions around Madison from March-May. Currently seven are planned for rallies to address Veteran Association benefit cuts, cuts to the U.S. Postal Service, dismantling of public services, working conditions for Meriter nurses, free speech and the repeal of the Anti-Boycott Act 248, immigrant rights, and the upcoming supreme court election.
Mike Tomaloff, president of UE 1186, said now is the time to take action. While he notes it’s easier to stew in anger, he said collective action is the best measure to combat presidential administrative pressures on protections and rights.
“Nothing happens without action. Without taking to the streets, without voicing our displeasure, it’s easy for the powers that be to brush it under the rug,” Tomaloff said.
Powerful messages for change spread through word of mouth garner solidarity but there’s been an uphill battle, Tomaloff said. Efforts are often segmented through various unions and activist groups. Centralized efforts in making the public aware of protests and rallies works towards a common goal.
“Siloing ourselves and having our own or even… having meetings with the same people and talking to each other over and over doesn’t really get you anywhere,” he said. “When you get all these people together to start sharing the same information and bringing people to the same places, that’s how you really build community.”
Planned protests, rallies and information sessions
Hands Off Our Public Post Office Rally
Thursday, March 20
Milwaukee Street Post Office
The rally aims to combat efforts to strip independence away from the Postal Service after President Trump floated a possible executive order to merge it with the Commerce Department and fire the current postal board, the Washington Post reported. Other ideas from the Trump Administration include attempts to privatize the Postal Service. Rallies have been held all over the country.
Madison’s rally took place on March 20 at the Postal Service office on Milwaukee Street.
Stop VA Benefit Cuts Rally and Press Conference
Saturday, March 22, 10 am
Labor Temple, 1602 S Park St, Madison
A protest and press conference will be held over the Trump Administration’s plan to cut 83,000 jobs in the Department of Veteran Affairs. The agency oversees health insurance, pensions, housing, education, legal assistance and employment assistance for millions of veterans. The cut would reduce the department’s by 17% — which nearly a quarter of the VA are veterans, Time reported.
Get Out The Vote WI Supreme Court Race Information Sessions
Saturday & Sunday March 22, 23, 29 and 30, 10 am – 4 pm
Labor Temple
1602 Park St
Information sessions on the upcoming April 1 Wisconsin Supreme Court race on April 1. The race between Republican backed former State Attorney General Brad Schimel and Dane County Circuit Court Judge Susan Crawfored has drawn national attention over its potential conservative-liberal shift in Wisconsin’s courts.
Hell NO to the Dismantling of Public Postal Service
Wednesday, March 26, 1 pm
US Post Office, 3902 Milwaukee St, Madison
A second rally for the postal service will be held by the National Association of Letter Carriers. The union, which was founded in Milwaukee, is the sole representative for letter carriers with the U.S. Postal Service.
Support SEIU Nurses Informational Picket\
Tuesday, April 8, 1 pm
Meriter Hospital, 202 S Park St
Nurses at Meriter are currently in a fight over their contract for fair wages, safe staffing and scalebacks to healthcare benefits. The state of its union recognition has been a strong point of contention between nurses at UW-Health and Group Health Cooperative since 2019. Nurses voted to unionize but were denied by the board citing Act 10, rights to collectively bargain as state and government employees. An agreement was made to end its strike by granting the union to retain its voice in discussions but limit its collective bargaining ability.
Nurses have continued to feel woes in its working conditions. Concerns over safety, staffing issues, pay and benefits have led to the nurses to organize again for full union rights.
Defend Free Speech: Wisconsin Right to Boycott
Wednesday, April 23, 9 am – 1 pm
State Capitol
The rally will be held at the capitol to call on state legislators to repeal Act 248. The act passed in 2018 bars state contracts with entities engaged in Boycott, Divest and Sanction efforts against Israel. The issue has been continuously brought up in ceasefire rallies around Wisconsin with protesters calling for its repeal.
Day Without Immigrants & Workers Rally and March
Friday, May 2 3 pm
Brittingham Park, 829 W. Washington Ave, Madison
The rally in May will highlight the effects of immigrant absence in the workforce. Several similar rallies have been held in Wisconsin and around the country in wake of deportations under the Trump Administration.
The rally will be held May 2 starting at 3 p.m. at Brittingham Park. A march to the State Capitol will begin at 4 p.m.
