Rain didn’t deter the determination of union members who showed up in force in Oak Forest June 15 for a rally against Gov. Bruce Rauner and his Turnaround Agenda. Jennifer Rice/staff photographer
By Jennifer Rice
Managing Editor
Thursday, June 18, 2015
Email Jennifer Rice at: jen@foxvalley
labornews.com
You can view videos of the Gaelic Park union protest by going to the Fox Valley Labor News YouTube channel
OAK FOREST — It was no surprise Gov. Bruce Rauner (once again) entered through the back door of a building where his supporters inside were waiting to hear him discuss his Turnaround Agenda.
June 15, Rauner conveniently avoided the thick union presence at the front entrance of the Chicago Gaelic Park in Oak Forest, unwilling to confront union members to take their questions about repealing prevailing construction wage and scaling back workers’ compensation.
Hundreds of union members gathered in the parking lot of Oak Forest’s Chicago Gaelic Park to rally against Gov. Bruce Rauner’s discussing his Turnaround Agenda. Jennifer Rice/staff photographer
Rauner spoke at the multi-chamber event with the Chicago Southland Chamber of Commerce. Rauner was visiting the Southland to speak about his Turnaround Agenda, asking the mostly civic and business leaders to urge their state legislators to support his Turnaround Agenda.
While inside, hundreds of union members across Chicagoland gathered outside to rally against to Rauner’s Turnaround Agenda, where even hard driving rain wouldn’t keep them away. When Rauner was situated inside, members entered the lobby where they chanted “Rauner, Rauner — we say no. Right to Work has got to go.”
A Sheet Metal Worker Local 73 member holds a sign to vehicles arriving at the Chicago Gaelic Park to hear Gov. Bruce Rauner speak on his Turnaround Agenda. Jennifer Rice/staff photographer
As Rauner’s caravan exited the parking lot, one union members said, “I hope he likes term limits — because he’s going to be a one term governor.”
An Iron Worker Local 5 member holds a sign to vehicles arriving at the Chicago Gaelic Park to hear Gov. Bruce Rauner speak on his Turnaround Agenda. Jennifer Rice/staff photographer
We can’t forget that as a candidate, Rauner repeatedly vowed to “shut down state government” in order to weaken the rights and drive down the wages of public service workers. Since taking office, he has pushed for budget cuts that are harmful to children, seniors and middle-class families, instead of working together with lawmakers to solve real problems. And he has traveled the state giving speeches that attack working people, especially public service workers.