Steve Earle Dedicates Radio Show to Wisconsin Union Workers

Steve Earle is throwing hardcore support behind union workers.

The legendary musician plans to dedicate his SIRIUS XM radio show this weekend to public employees in Wisconsin who are battling their governor's plan to put a stop to unions' collective bargaining rights. Steve's 'Hardocre Troubadour Radio,' which airs Saturday at 9:00 PM ET on Outlaw Country (SIRIUS channel 63, XM channel 12), will spin an hour of pro-union songs -- from Woody Guthrie to Bob Dylan, Billy Bragg to the Byrds.

"I got this soapbox on Saturday nights, and I'm going to climb up on it and holler," Steve tells The Boot. "This is important. Collective bargaining for working people is a fundamental component of democracy, and we can't afford to let it slip away."

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker argues that his legislation is to help balance the state budget and boost job outlook in the state. On Thursday (February 24), Republicans in Wisconsin's Assembly passed his measure, which proposes to take away public employees' rights to collectively bargain for benefits. The bill now moves to the state Senate, which is now missing 14 of its Democrats, after they fled to Illinois to avoid having to vote on the issue. President Barak President Obama has called the legislation an "assault on unions."

Steve Earle's 'Hardcore Troubadour Radio' show dedicated to union workers airs on SIRIUS XM's Outlaw Country station this Saturday (February 25) at 9:00 PM ET. It will re-air February 26 at at 9:00 PM ET, March 1 at 8:00 PM ET and March 3 at 12:00 AM ET.

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