Budget Proposal Address Summary

Governor gives address to introduce his budget.

I was supposed to work that night, but due to the importance of this event a letter was sent to my employer saying I had union business to attend to and that I needed to be excused. I went out to the Local and picked up the Secretaries there. We all went to Frankfort. We found a great place to park - it was very difficult - and walked up the steps to meet our fellow Local members. Most of the Local's E-Board (Elected Board - like a Board of Directors) was at the top and greeted us. It was VERY crowded. We didn't know it for a few minutes, but we were actually in a line to get inside. We went through a metal detector and most of us were asked for IDs.

Very shortly after getting in, the rally started. We had some very good speakers and lots of audience participation. I couldn't hear what was being said very well, and made a major gaffe saying "YES!" one time when the good answer was "NO!". No one around thought much of it as they understood why. We yelled slogans like "UNION YES!" and "NO JUSTICE - NO PEACE!". The speaker would yell "Right to Work?" and the rank and file would yell "FOR LESS!".

A rumor began to circulate that the Governor would take the back door route to the Senate, (where the speech is given). The crowd began to yell "Back door Ernie" like sports fans yell "Over-rated". I was just wandering around looking for people I know, Gatewood Galbraith for example. I didn't know it, but I happened on the Governor's office door as he was coming out.

Extra troopers had come to shove us out of the way. We were no real threat to his safety, so he didn't have to use the back door. As he walked out the boos came from all directions except below him. It was the third time I have had the privilege to boo him. I have heard someone brag that they have been able to boo him seven times! A guy next to me started "Union Yes!" again and by the third time he said it I was unison with him. It caught on and by the time he made it to the Senate all of the union guys were yelling it. The doors flung open, and I know that the whole legislature heard it. We came, said our peace, it was time to go home knowing we were recognized as a powerful voting block. It was a wonderful experience.