Union members help swell crowd at Owensboro rally

More than 100 people showed up in Owensboro today for a rally against Senate Bill 1, the Republican plan to gut pensions for teachers and other public employees.

"Around 30 percent were building trades members," said Todd Johnson, an organizer with Sprinkler Fitters UA Local 669.  

Reporters from the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer and WTVW-TV news, Evansville, Ind., covered the protest.

Also in western Kentucky, a similar rally was held in Mayfield on Thursday. The protest was hosted by teacher and KEA member Charlotte Goddard, a Democratic candidate for the state House of Representatives who recently received the Kentucky State AFL-CIO endorsement.   

About 36 people, mostly teachers, attended the rally, which included LIUNA and AFT union members.