In Minnesota, we learn from an early age that working together pays off. Whether it’s in our school, churches or civic organizations — we know that we all want a community where working families have a chance to live secure, safe and healthy lives. We know that helping one another makes our communities better and helps us build better lives.

For generations, our unions have been part of our daily lives — an essential piece of the foundation that makes Minnesota one of the nation’s best places to live. Albert Lea knows that union members fight for good jobs, good schools and safe communities. I know — I’m a member of SEIU Healthcare Minnesota, and we have seen the power of our union over the last year as we’ve had to fight tooth and nail for good jobs and quality rural health care. Without our union and the outpouring of support from the community, we wouldn’t have been able to stand up to changes that could hurt Albert Lea families.

Later this month, the Supreme Court will consider a case called Janus v. AFSCME that directly attacks the ability of unions to be a strong voice for their members and for the needs of the communities they serve. But the hospital workers, teachers, nurses, police officers, firefighters and others who deliver essential public services won’t be silenced.

On Saturday, at the state Capitol rotunda in St. Paul, workers will gather by the hundreds with community organizations, faith leaders and concerned citizens for the “Working People’s Day of Action.” Despite attacks from a small group of billionaires and extremist politicians who don’t like working with people who have a unified voice, we are gathering to show we will never stop in our fight for a brighter future for our families.

Want to join us for the Working People’s Day of Action? You can sign up and learn about the free bus leaving from Rochester at itsaboutfreedom.org. The bus leaves at 8:30 a.m. from the 25th Street Walmart in Rochester. During these challenging times, we need to stick together. I hope to see you there!

Sheri Wichmann

Albert Lea