ST. LOUIS - {ecently, Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay joined labor leaders in a celebration of workers’ rights in St. Louis, the nation and abroad.

Speaking to members of the St. Louis Workers’ Rights Board, at a luncheon on Friday, April 29, 2005, the Congressman said:

"The basic reason that I support worker rights is simple, I have always understood that worker rights are a basic element of human rights. Justice in the workplace is the foundation for justice in our community.”

Also speaking a the Third Annual Meeting were: the Rev. Michael Vosler and Joan Suarez, co-chairs of the St. Louis Workers’ Rights Board; Samantha “Sam” White, member of the Student Worker Alliance; Erica Smiley, National Workers’ Rights Board Coordinator; and Lara Granich, director of the St. Louis Jobs With Justice.

White spoke on behalf of students from Washington University who recently held a 19-day protest and hunger strike on the campus to win approximately $1 million in concessions over two years for better pay for campus employees.