Rev. Jackson Supports Yale's Striking Unions

The Rev. Jesse Jackson voiced support over the weekend for Yale University workers who went on strike.

Jackson was in the city Sunday to call for a "people's graduation" on May 27, the day of Yale's commencent.

Jackson, president of the Rainbow Coalition, said he would lead a march for jobs, justice and health care in support of Locals 34 and 35.

"It's marching time. Let's stand together. If you march with us on May 27 you will send a message to workers fighting poverty everywhere," Jackson said.

Members of the Local 35 union, which represents 1,100 food service, custodial and maintenance workers, returned to work last week after a four-week strike over pensions and subcontracting issues. Those issues still have not been resolved, and a contract has not been reached. Local 34, which represents clerical and technical workers, struck in February and also returned to the job after four weeks without reaching a contract.

Jackson told a crowd of more than 350 people at the Varick Memorial A.M.E. Zion church that Yale "is willing to threaten workers if they don't tow the line."

Jackson said the end product of Yale's unwillingness to offer workers a livable wage and job security could lead to the breakdown of the family unit, which in turn could lead to an increase of welfare recipients and more violence.

This report was compiled with Associated Press wire dispatches.