'United We Bargain, Divided We Beg' (Poll)

When workers held a pep rally Saturday outside the Danbury Health Care Center, formerly Mediplex, they heard their struggle was the 99 percent versus the 1 percent.

"It's about wealth and power for a few, or it's about liberty and justice for all," said State Rep. Robert Godfrey, a Democrat who represents Danbury's 110th state assembly seat.

Godfrey said this issue for him is personal. His mother was a nurse all her life.

"My interest is genetic," said Godfrey.

Workers said they walked off the job in early July because management imposed its last best offer on workers without both sides reaching an agreement. Workers are upset they are losing their traditional defined benefit pension in exchange for a 401(K) plan. Worker hours were cut, workers said.

The contract dispute will go to the National Labor Relations Board in September, workers said.

"This is a great turnout," said Joe DaSilva, Danbury's Democratic Town Committee Chairman. DaSilva said for a strike to work, the organizers have to keep up spirits. Interest flags as the days tick by. Every day workers are walking outside on Osborne Street.

"It's easy not to come. You have to work it," DaSilva said.

That means holding an enthusiastic rally from time to time. On Saturday, representatives from the SEIU, Carpenters Union and laborers union attended to lend their support. When speaking to the marchers, DaSilva said the Democrats were there supporting the union workers because Democrats and unions have a long history together of supporting each other. That raises the question today of whether unions are still necessary.

Stephen Bull, president of the Greater Danbury Chamber of Commerce said on Friday that unions played an important role once upon a time, perhaps a hundred years ago, but he said, "Today we have labor laws."

To express your opinion, take the poll or leave a comment.