Front Line Worker - Jahmal Henderson, SCSU Local 217 Unite Here

Following are remarks by Jahmal Henderson, food service worker at Southern Connecticut State University and member of Local 217 Unite Here, at the May Day Rally "International Workers Solidarity: COVID-19 and Beyond hosted by CT People's World on May 3 via zoom. View the entire rally here.

 
Front Line Worker - Jahmal Henderson, food service at SCSU and Local 217 Unite Here

I've been employed as a food service worker at Southern Connecticut State University for 18 years. I've also been a union steward for eight years as a member of Local 217 Unite Here.

I am among those whose job is closed during these unfortunate times with the coronavirus epidemic having a devastating impact on our lives and country. Myself, and other food service workers throughout, are in solidarity with front line essential workers who are putting their lives at risk in order to keep a sense of normalcy in these dire times.

We at Southern Connecticut State University Local 217 have a "phone tree" system which enables employees to get vital information and available resources to help them with unemployment,  food banks, healthcare, and other emergency needs.

In these times of social distancing,  it is a very good time to stay in contact with each other via Zoom meetings, having daily check ins and discussing strategies that can be helpful.

The majority of Unite Here members across the country are in the hospitality industry and most of our members are now unemployed. The union is organizing to help with applications for unemployment, rent assistance and basic living needs, and demanding that federal relief funds go to the workers and not big employers.

The union is also organizing so that hospitality/food service and all essential workers who are still employed during this epidemic, out there risking their lives, get the necessary resources from Congress and the state government to make sure proper PPE's and safety measures get established going forward so we can return back to healthy productive work environments. 

The petition to Congress: Don't cut off hospitality workers is here.

Car caravans for workers rights and immigrant rights continue

FRONTLINE HEALTHCARE WORKERS will hold a car caravan at Waterbury Hospital on Saturday June 6 at 11 am as they continue to push Prospect Medical Holdings to put patients before profits and provide proper PPE, hazard pay, and safe staffing. The action is part of the national Workers First Caravan days of action. A caravan was also held last week by Nurses and Technical Employees at Waterbury Hospital, members of CHCA District 1199, National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees (AFSCME), and community supporters.

A DISASTER RELIEF FUND for undocumented immigrants was the demand of a car caravan to the state capitol from Norwalk, Danbury, New Haven, Bridgeport, Willimantic, and Middletown. State legislators, immigrants, union workers, and activist groups demanded Governor Lamont create a $150 million fund.  Sixty organizations, 55 legislators and 4500 petition signers have joined the call.
Kica Matos said "57% of interviewed immigrants in New Haven have been laid off, hours cut, or in quarantine because of illness in the workplace or home with no income or access to relief. Connecticut's 120,000 undocumented immigrants pay $400 million a year in state and local taxes, but are excluded from the federal stimulus packages and ineligible for unemployment insurance.