Labor’s plea: Enough of status quo

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But not enough people turned out to make the event as effective as it could have been, some said.

Story by DAVID SKOLNICK

Photos by LISA-ANN ISHIHARA

VINDICATOR STAFF

WARREN — The message was clear at Saturday’s labor rally in Warren: The government needs to stop ignoring the struggles of the middle class.

That means some form of universal health care. That means fair, and not free, trade. That means having companies stop outsourcing and open manufacturing plants in the United States. That means treating the working class with respect.

What isn’t clear is how many heard it.

About 1,500 people, many of them wearing clothing with their union logo and/or name, attended Saturday’s “America Fights Back. Enough” rally on Courthouse Square in downtown Warren.

Organizers, many of them union leaders, wanted the rally to send their message to politicians in Washington and Columbus. The goal was to have national union leaders take this concept and hold rallies in other cities.

Jim Graham, president of the United Auto Workers Local 1112 at the Lordstown General Motors complex who helped coordinate the rally, didn’t hide his disappointment about the attendance.

“Not everyone thinks we’ve had enough,” he said. “This courthouse should have 5,000 people here. It affects every one of you.”

Even so, Graham remained optimistic that the movement would grow.

“This isn’t the only rally that will take place in our country,” he said. “This is just the first one.”

More work needs to be done, said U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th.

“Don’t leave this rally thinking this is over,” he said. “We’re just beginning.”

The thousands of manufacturing jobs lost in the Mahoning Valley have devastated the local economy, those at the rally said.

“We’re as frustrated as hell and enough is enough,” said Warren Mayor Michael O’Brien.

Juanita James of the Warren SCOPE [Senior Citizens Opportunity for Personal Endeavor] Center says employees at the facility scramble daily to help seniors.

“Don’t kid yourself into thinking everything is OK,” she said.

The struggling economy has impacted her.

James said she and other SCOPE employees took a 10-percent pay cut. She also has more than $2,000 a month in medical bills and no health insurance.

“Let’s not go quietly to our graves,” she said while calling for the government to help those in need. “Let’s go kicking, screaming and voting.”

David Betras, newly elected Mahoning County Democratic Party chairman, criticized elected Mahoning County officeholders for not attending Saturday’s event. Some elected officials from Mahoning County attended — including state Sen. Joe Schiavoni of Canfield, D-33rd; state Rep. Ronald Gerberry of Austintown, D-59th; and Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams. But no county elected officials were there.

“I took notice of which Democratic officials in Mahoning County are not here, and they’ll hear from me,” Betras said. “If you’re a Democratic official and don’t support labor, get out of my party.”

Betras also put politicians who drive foreign cars on notice: If they want the party’s endorsement, they better get rid of them.

After the rally, Betras said politicians who receive support from unions need to return it.

“You should show up for an event like this,” he said. “The street runs two ways. Their absence was noticed. They have no problem taking support. They should also give it.”

skolnick@vindy.com