USW International President Mr Leo W Gerard and other USW officers joined protesters in Wisconsin and talked to Bill Press about how the attack on public sector workers there is an attack on workers everywhere.

Steelworkers turned out in their greatest numbers yet to the Wisconsin state Capitol in Madison to thwart Governor Mr Scott Walker's assault on working families.

Local firefighters with drums and bagpipes escorted USW International President Mr Leo W Gerard and Vice Presidents Mr Tom Conway and Mr Jon Geenen into the rotunda, filled with teachers, other government employees, students and union activists.

The freedom for thousands of government workers to organize and bargain collectively is being threatened by Walker and Republican state lawmakers who are trying to pass legislation under the guise of balancing the state's budget.

Mr Gerard said that "This is not an economic issue; it's not a budget issue, either. It's about union busting, plain and simple."

Union activists have occupied the Wisconsin State Capitol and maintained peaceful, orderly 24 hour protests since February 14th 2011.

Similar anti worker, anti union legislation is being pushed in other states, with Indiana, Ohio and Oregon, some of which are already fighting insidiously misnamed right to work bills.

Before the rally, Mr Gerard talked to Bill Press about how the attack on public sector workers there is an attack on workers everywhere.