Workers Resurgence Celebrated at Labor Convention

Union members from across the state celebrated the resurgence of worker power at the Connecticut AFL-CIO convention last week. Marc Perrone, president of the United Food and Commercial Workers got a standing ovation for the strike victory at Stop & Shop this year, won with the support of communities in every town who refused to cross the picket line.

Liz Shuler, Secretary Treasurer of the AFL-CIO noted there have been more workers on strike in the last two years than for many decades including teachers, government workers, transit workers and now 50,000 General Motors workers.

Connecticut AFL CIO president Sal Luciano brought delegates to their feet, calling upon them to organize and mobilize to bend the moral arc of history toward justice.

The convention paid tribute to union sisters Rep Robyn Porter and Sen Julie Kushner who co-chair the labor committee and pushed through the $15 minimum wage and paid family leave.

Delegates were addressed by new, emerging leaders in workshops and plenary sessions. The Area Labor Federations announced labor walks to support union sisters and brothers running for local office in November, including in Danbury, East Haven, Stratford, Derby and East Hartford.

Western Connecticut Central Labor Coalition president Ed Hawthorne said they have endorsed more union candidates than ever before, as a result of the Path to Power program.

"We must support these candidates who support what we hold dear: Well Paying Union Jobs! Pensions for All! And high quality affordable Health Care!" he said. "We must all do our part to ensure union voices are heard loudly at all levels of government."

Convention resolutions included one on climate change, noting the coalition of "labor unions and environmental allies who teamed up this year to win legislation that requires Connecticut to solicit 2000 MW of offshore wind (30% of the state’s total electricity demand) becoming the first state offshore wind legislation to require prevailing wage and project labor agreements for all projects."

The convention resolved to "take inspiration from the uprisings of student activists and workers and work with urgency to create a greener, safe and more just world where we can live and prosper for generations to come."