Union Advocates Again Take To Mass. State House

The public union showdown in Wisconsin is again drawing attention to Beacon Hill.

Several dozen people gathered on the steps of the State House Thursday to voice opposition to what's been happening in Wisconsin, and to urge workers not to allow similar moves to take hold here. Late Wednesday, the Wisconsin Senate passed a bill stripping most public workers of collective bargaining rights.

George Luse, of the Massachusetts Teachers Association, told the crowd the Wisconsin bill is not about saving money, but is instead about union busting.

"Now it's in Pennsylvania, it's in Wisconsin, Indiana, but, tomorrow it's going to be here in Massachusetts unless we're ready to fight back and get ourselves unified to speak with one voice," Luse said. "Same thing's going to happen to us."

Several Democratic lawmakers and Gov. Deval Patrick's chief of staff attended the rally to show their support for the workers.

Last month, union members and Tea Party supporters tried to out-shout each other at a Beacon Hill rally.