From a Dec. 2, 2011 WI AFL-CIO email:
Since Nov. 15, nearly 200 Machinists have been out on strike at Manitowoc Cranes. At issue is not wages or benefits but the fundamental right to a union.
Executives at Manitowoc Cranes have taken a page from Scott Walker’s Union-Busting Hand Book. At the last minute, the company slipped union-busting language, similar to Gov. Walker’s collective bargaining bill, into the contract.
Workers at Manitowoc Cranes voted overwhelming (180-2) to reject the union-busting proposal in the contract.
Click here to sign the petition in support of workers at Manitowoc Cranes. Both Machinists on strike and the company need to know that the Wisconsin labor movement and its supporters stand with the workers.
As we head into this holiday season, Machinists at Manitowoc Cranes are taking a stand for the middle class. They are taking action and providing an essential check on corporate power and corporate greed in order to bring justice to the workplace.
Workers at Manitowoc Cranes are fighting for all working people and the entire middle class. Without unions, who will continue to fight for good American jobs? Who will insist companies pay workers a living wage? Add your name to the petition to support the striking workers.
Machinists at Manitowoc Cranes manufacture a wide variety of cranes which have been utilized to build power plants, sports stadiums, hospitals and infrastructure throughout the United States and overseas. The World Trade Center was built with a crane manufactured in Manitowoc and the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center was put up using cranes built at Manitowoc Cranes.
In Solidarity,
Phil Neuenfeldt, President
Stephanie Bloomingdale, Secretary-Treasurer
P.S. There will be a solidarity rally in support of striking Machinists on Saturday, December 10 at 1:00 pm in Manitowoc. Check your email early next week for additional information.
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Wisconsin Bail Out the People Movement 
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