Dear Editor,
Friday May 1st is International Workers Day. The celebration originated in Chicago in 1880 to promote basic worker rights such and an 8- hour work day, workplace safety protections and better wages.
Basic rights for workers are under the greatest threat in decades. America’s donor class of billionaires have recently sought to buy elections in return for the greatest billionaire tax breaks in the last century of American history. Elon Musk and his fellow billionaire donor buddies seek to manipulate our country’s economic policies to shift the growing burden of higher prices and Trump’s tariff taxes onto consumers.
The minimum wage in Wisconsin has been frozen at $7.25 an hour since 2009. Thirty-four states have higher minimum-wage laws than Wisconsin. Consumer organizations calculate that a “living wage” for Wisconsin (one that would allow families to afford housing and food and stay out of poverty) would be $21.88 per hour. There’s a lot of work to be done!
Please join your friends and neighbors this Friday for “MAY DAY STRONG-WORKERS OVER BILLIONAIRES-a peaceful gathering at the Iowa County Courthouse in Dodgeville from 4:30-6 pm. There will be singing, music from The Red Door Duo & Ben Gruber speaking about worker’s rights.
“May Day, May Day” is a call for help for ordinary people who are just working to provide the basic needs for themselves and their families. Please join us this Friday …
Susan Van Sicklen
Town of Dodgeville, WI