March 25, 2011: 100th Anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire

      One hundred years ago this month (March 25th) over 100 garment workers lost their lives in the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire.  These workers, some as young as 11 years old, were cramped in small quarters with doors and windows shut.  When the fire broke out, they had no place to go.
      The outcome of this New York tragedy was the beginning of the labor union movement.  Workers demanded the right to negotiate their wages, to have a say in their working conditions and hours and to hold management accountable for their decisions. 
      Ironically enough, it is on this hundred year anniversary that Gov. Walker of Wisconsin decided to remove those very same protections from public workers in this state.  Unions exist because businesses typically try to get the most for the least, even today.  That is why many industries have moved plants to countries like China, India and Mexico; they can get extremely cheap labor without the "bother" of unions and minimum wage.
      Governor Walker and the Republicans in the Wisconsin legislature originally claimed that taking away collective bargaining rights was a way to help the budget.  However, the fact that they stripped the provision of its financial elements simply to attack the union shows that union-busting has been the goal all along.
      So while the Republicans give tax breaks to the wealthy, the workers of Wisconsin have to pick up the budget slack by giving away their protections and bargained rights.  While the Koch brothers enjoy unlimited access to the Governor's mansion; state workers, democratic legislators and peaceful protesters are met at the State Capitol (the People's House) by police in riot gear. 
      One hundred years ago people died because they were exploited by businesses and unprotected by their governments.  Scott Walker wants to bring those days back to Wisconsin.  If the deaths of those workers 100 years ago means anything, than we must continue to persevere against the injustice Walker and his Republican minions want to inflict on the working families of Wisconsin.