Protest over employees' equal rights

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Local workers are calling on the area's largest chamber of commerce to be more supportive of employee rights.

A group of activists protested outside the Springfield Marriott Thursday, as the annual meeting of the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce was underway.

They're advocates of the Employee Free Choice Act which they say protects workers' rights to unionize.

They're upset that the Chamber opposes this legislation.

Dee Guelker, of Business Leaders for a Fair Economy, said, "They forget that their business depends on the success of their employees and their ability to be able to work in a productive working environment where they feel someone's got their back."

Russell Denver, President of ACCGS, told 22News, "We believe that employees should have the ability to vote on whether they want to join a union in private...Nothing is more sacred than the right to vote in private."

Chamber President Russell Denver said these activists should take a closer look at how actively the chamber works with local union, instead of challenging them over a national issue.