SIOUX FALLS -- Union members, college students and Weiland for U.S. Senate supporters joined a bus touring the nation in support of fairness to America's and South Dakota’s middle class.

Americans United for Change’s bus stopped briefly Thursday morning at the Labor Temple with its “Put the Middle Class First” tour. The group is traveling the country urging voters elect a Democratic Congress.

The group supports imitated measures like South Dakota’s IM 18, which would increase the state minimum wage and contain a yearly cost of living increase.

Speakers like Democratic state Representative Karen Soli from Sioux Falls said state and federal government must to more to protect the middle class.

“As a Lutheran pastor, we see people made up of saints and sinners,” Soli said with a laugh. “Good and bad. We get forgiven, yes, but when it comes to the government, we need laws to curb and reign in greed and selfishness.”

Heather Halvorson, a Teamsters union member from Sioux Falls, said after the rally that unions are an important part of keeping a strong middle class as well as increasing the minimum wage.

“I think it is important to do both,” Halverson said. “Raise the minimum wage and we need more union representation. We are in a right-to-work state, so it can be difficult to get more union workers when everything is kind of stacked against us."
According to Amelia Decker, a community organizer traveling with the bus, about 7 percent of South Dakotans are considered working poor.

Listen to more of the event below:

Dr. Reynold Nesiba, Augustan College professor and Mark Anderson, S.D. Federation of Labor:

">Oct_16_2014-003 (edit)

Amelia Decker, organizer; Thomas Elness, Augustana College student. Rep. Karen Soli (D-Sioux Falls) and Dr. Reynold Nesiba:

">Oct_16_2014-004 (edit)

More From Hot 104.7 - KKLS-FM