(12495) Veteran speaks at AFSCME Local 3280 Anna, IL Veterans' Home rally

A war veteran speaks at a rally for AFSCME Local 3280. Seated to the right is Local 3280 president Bonnie Brimm and standing next to her is AFSCME Council 31 Deputy Director Roberta Lynch. Local 3280 consisted of workers at the veterans' home in Anna, Illinois, a privately run state facility. Workers made minimum wage or close to it, had no health benefits and no paid time off. The workers went on a six week strike and were joined on the picket line by patients, families of patients, and other community members. The employer eventually settled, agreeing to an 80% wage increase, health benefits, and paid holidays. In 2003, the state took over operations of the facility.