Art Perlo, "Gentle Giant"

Art Perlo, lifelong Communist beloved for his stalwart dedication, modesty, wit and wisdom, passed away on December 18 after a year-long battle with bladder cancer.

He served as Ward 24 Co-Chair in New Haven, Connecticut and executive board member of the Yale Unions Retirees Association. Ward 24 Alder Evette Hamilton called him a “gentle giant” for his kindness, commitment, humor and broad knowledge that touched the lives of so many in the city, state and around the country.

Born in New York on November 2, 1947, son of Marxist economist Victor Perlo and artist Ellen Perlo, Art moved to New Haven in 1975 after living in Chicago and Portland, Oregon, to join his life partner Joelle Fishman, participating in her People before Profits campaigns for Congress and Mayor. As an independent economist and activist, Art devoted his talents to the cause of the rights and equality of working class people of all races, genders and national backgrounds.

An IT worker at Yale's Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry lab for 35 years, he helped organize and was a founding member of the clerical and technical workers union Local 34 Unite Here in 1984. Although not eligible for the union with his managerial and professional job classification, he was appreciated for honoring the strikes of Local 34 and Local 35, joining his co-workers on the picket line for respect and improved wages and benefits. He was an early proponent for restructuring Yale's hiring practices to open job opportunities for Black and Latino New Haven residents.

Since the 1990's Perlo was a consistent voice to tax the rich, developing the economic basis for the legislative campaign of the Coalition to End Child Poverty in Connecticut in 2005 that helped pave the way for progressive tax reform and the child tax credit.

He helped organize many buses to marches and protests in Washington DC and New York for peace, racial justice and immigrant rights, as well as participation in countless actions and events in Connecticut including the People's World Amistad Awards which gave him a tribute this year.

He was a frequent contributor to the People's World on economic and other issues, and edited the People before Profits column following his father's death.

He gave various lectures locally and nationally, including a popular analysis “An Activist's View of Piketty's Capital in the 21^st Century” at the New Haven Free Public Library in 2014: https://www.cpusa.org/article/an-activist-view-of-piketty-s-capital-in-the-21st-century-video/

Art was deeply respected for his willingness to take on any task no matter how small in the community or the union, and for his unwavering commitment to equality, peace, environmental justice and an end to exploitation to make the world a better place. During the 2020 presidential election he led a strong voter registration and get out the vote effort in Ward 24.

As education director of the Connecticut Communist Party he held many classes to bring forward new leaders. He served on the National Committee of the CPUSA, chaired the Economic Commission, and over the years served on the editorial board of Political Affairs, on the African American Equality Commission and on various convention committees, always upholding the working class struggle for socialism.

Art was a scholar and intellectual for major change in our capitalist system.  As an activist himself he encouraged others to develop their understanding of the system as well as their importance in using their knowledge to bring others into activism.  He dedicated his life to this pursuit. 

He was an avid biker, hiker and rock climber, photographer and videographer.

A website will be launched in January with links to Art Perlo's writings and an opportunity for those who knew him to post stories and photos. Contributions to the causes closest to Art's heart can be made at: https://actionnetwork.org/fundraising/art-perlo-presente-carry-it-forward/

Due to the rise in COVID a gathering will not be held at this time. On January 1, 2023 an open house continuing the annual tradition of Art and Joelle will be held to celebrate Art's life and carry on the movement building his life exemplifies.

People's World Amistad Awards Inspire Commitment to Make Good Trouble

Headlined “MAKING GOOD TROUBLE Together We Rise for a Hopeful Future,” the 2021 People's World Amistad Awards left participants inspired and ready to fight together for justice. The virtual event, broadcast from New Haven, exemplified united front organizing to defend workers rights and win transformational policies for equity, planet and peace.

Large, framed awards were presented to three tireless working class leaders: State Senator Julie Kushner, Pastor Rodney Wade and fast food worker Azucena Santiago.

Video presentations of victories in 2021 included the union contract fight at Yale, the fight by AFT to maintain maternity services at Windham Hospital, the SEIU 1199 strike at Sunrise Inc. as well as highlights from the thick program book of greetings from across the state.

In a special guest appearance U S Senator Richard Blumenthal presented certificates to each awardee, stressing the need for unity to save democracy, get Senate action for voting rights,end the filibuster, and get out the vote in 2022..

Jazz trio AFRO-ALGONQUIN performed a beautiful blend of Afro-American and Indigenous congo and funk at the beginning and end of the program. Camila Guiza- Chavez performed a song for Cuba.

Hosted on the occasion of the 102^nd anniversary of the Communist Party USA, virtual tributes by six labor leaders appreciated the Connecticut CPUSA's work in organizing drives, strikes, and strategies to end systemic racism and put people, peace and planet before profits. Well wishes to Art Perlo, courageously battling cancer, were highlighted in a tribute to him as founding member of Local 34 Unite Here at Yale, leader with the Yale Workers Club and state and national committees of the CPUSA

State Senator Julie Kushner said the “deep bonds will never go away” from her years of union organizing. She was recognized for transformational leadership organizing women, diversifying the UAW, and as state senator leading successful efforts for paid family and medical leave and $15 an hour with her Labor co-chair Rep Robyn Porter.

Pastor Rodney Wade, senior pastor of Long Hill Bible Church in Waterbury was recognized for his leadership in the Recovery For All campaign of union, community and clergy pushing for higher wages, increased taxes on the wealthy and more social services in response to the pandemic. Decrying existing inequalities and racism he exclaimed the recovery must be for ALL.

Azucena Santiago, a single mother of two organizing her fellow fast food workers on Connecticut's highway rest stops with 32BJ, accepted the award in Spanish. Her courage was celebrated for standing up against McDonald's franchise owners for $15 and the right to a union, winning back pay from her employer after going to the NLRB.

Strike Victory After Two Months on the Picket Line at Sunrise Inc.

After two months on the picket line for decent wages, benefits and protections, group home and day program workers at Sunrise Northeast Inc won a contract. The tentative agreement has to be ratified by the membership.

The tentative agreement reached by New England Health Care Employees Union, District 1199, SEIU, includes improvements in health insurance, wages, pension and more.

“With this contract we have achieved historic wage increases, real affordable healthcare and a retirement with dignity. My coworkers and I look forward to getting back to our clients whom we love and miss.” said Charmayne Brown who has worked at Sunrise for 14 years.

Stephanie Deceus, Vice President, District 1199 said, “We see this agreement as an enormous step forward in the fight for economic and racial justice.”

The workers, overwhelmingly women of color, provide essential care but have struggled against poverty wages, unsafe conditions, and the historic devaluation of their labor for decades.

Courageously they went on strike in October for dignity, respect and a living wage, and won support of the labor movement, community and elected officials. When an offer was made that did not include pension, they refused to accept.

Sunrise operates 28 group home and day programs serving over 160 individuals in multiple locations across the state with 149 District 1199 New England union workers in Brooklyn, Columbia, Danielson, East Hartford, Glastonbury, Hartford, Hebron, Lebanon, Manchester, Mansfield, New London, New Milford, Old Lyme, Pomfret, Vernon, Waterford and Enfield.

Sunrise Northeast, Inc. joins a growing number of group home agencies represented by District 1199 that has reached agreements with workers in the past few months.  The Tentative Agreement establishes industry leading standards for wage increases, affordable healthcare and retirement. The tentative agreement is retroactive to July 1, 2021 and will expire in March of 2023.

The tentative agreement includes a reduction in monthly health insurance from $6,354 to $120. Workers will receive wage increases between 5% to 14%, plus a 9.5% automatic contribution rate to their 403b pension plan. Juneteenth will be added as a holiday. Workers mandated to stay beyond their regular shift will receive time and a half pay.

Paid Family Leave Launches in Connecticut

December 1 marked the launch of Paid Family Leave benefits for workers in Connecticut, following a years long campaign resulting in legislative action led by Julie Kushner, Senate chair of the Labor and Public Employees Committee with co-chair Rep Robyn Porter..

At a press event held on Wednesday, Sen Kushner make the following statement:

“Today is a very exciting day for working families of Connecticut! Today, workers can file applications for Paid Family Leave benefits which will begin January 1st. CT workers will no longer have to choose between caring for a loved one and their paycheck.

“When I ran for office in 2018, I did so with the belief that we could make a difference in Hartford. Paid Family Leave was my top priority for the 2019 legislative session.

“We did it, we got the job done! Now Connecticut working families have one of the best paid leave programs in the country. Thank you to all the advocates, all of my colleagues, the Administration and the Paid Leave Authority who worked so hard to make Paid Family Leave a reality.”

On Saturday December 11^th Sen Kushner will accept the People's World Amistad Award along with Pastor Rodney Wade of the Recovery for All coalition and Azucena Santiago fast food worker and member organizer with 32BJ SEIU. The virtual event will stand 'In Solidarity” with the unions at Yale, the AFT CT / community struggle at Windham Hospital, and with striking 1199 members at Sunrise Inc. To register and receive a zoom link e-mail: ct-pww@pobox.com.

The Campaign for Paid Family Leave organized the grass roots effort, led by CWEALF (Connecticut Women's Educational And Legal Fund) advocating for the passage of one of the strongest paid leave laws in the nation in 2019.

The Paid Family and Medical Leave Act (PFMLA) offers Connecticut workers the opportunity to take time to attend to personal and family health needs without worrying about lost income. The CT Paid Leave Authority provides Connecticut’s workforce access to paid family and medical leave benefits by offering helpful tools and resources to help administer this new program.

Applications can be made online at CT Paid Leave or by calling 877-499-8606.

Unity Wins Funds for New Haven from Yale

New Haven Rising and the unions at Yale have been leading a city-wide effort in New Haven for many years demanding that Yale Respect New Haven and greatly increase its contributions to the city in lieu of taxes. This week that campaign won an historic victory when Yale University announced it is nearly doubling its annual contribution to the City of New Haven.

The increase of $10 million per year from Yale, combined with the increase in tiered PILOT from the state of Connecticut won this year will provide New Haven an additional $59 million in the annual budget.

For decades members of the Unite Here Unions at Yale in coalition with the community have marched, rallied, testified, risked arrest in civil disobedience, put signs in yards, and enjoyed thousands upon thousands of conversations with neighbors.

Barbara Vereen, Organizing Director of Local 34 and Scott Marks, director of New Haven Rising, said “Our unity made this happen, and our unity will guide us to our next victory. Let’s keep the momentum up, and keep on fighting for a better future for all.”

“The elected leaders heard this message and worked in partnership to deliver this victory. The Board of Alders, Mayor, and city delegation to the state legislature have been stalwart allies—elections matter,” they said concluding that. “Organizing works, and this is just the beginning.”

“Yale: Respect New Haven has been our rallying cry as we escalated our fight to have this incredibly wealthy institution recognize the pain in our city and step up to do their fair share,” emphasized Vereen and Marks.

“Today’s announcement does not solve all our city’s problems, but it is a significant step in the right direction and a historic recognition that New Haven and Yale University’s fates are inextricably linked.”

The commitment is to $52 million more over 6 years including $10 million per year for five years and then $2 million in year six. The commitment also includes continued property tax payments including

100% of the previous tax obligation for property removed from the tax rolls for three years, and then slowly reduce that payment by 10% a year over the next 10 years.

Remembering My Friend Jimmy Hooks on Veterans Day

Thinking about my good friend Jimmy Hooks on this Veterans Day.  My fellow
Union Brother was known as just plain Hooks by friends and coworkers
at Yale New Haven Hospital. 

“Hey Hooks what’s going on.” I’m thinking about taking the grill cook job over in the New Haven cafeteria.

“Why, what’s wrong with the Main Kitchen.” I don’t know, I thought I try something different.

Jimmy Hooks was a Vietnam Veteran. When he returned home to New Haven Connecticut his arms were scarred, an injury he suffered serving in Vietnam. He didn’t talk much about what happened, but I do remember us having a few drinks in the bar across the street from the hospital.

“Hooks tell us what happened.”

It had something to do with him shooting those big guns. There was a misfire or malfunction and he suffered severe burns on his arms. He said he was one of The lucky ones. (Wow lucky ones) He spent eight months in a military hospital recovering.

A kind and gentle soul, you really couldn’t help but love this guy. I remember when my son was born. Hooks asked me how much did he weigh, “8 lbs. 5 oz,” okay I’m playing that number. Back in the 70s there was no such thing as a state lottery, so you played your favorite number with your friendly neighborhood bookie, and we had a few of them that worked right there in a hospital.

And guess what, the number came out and he won about $500. A nice piece of change in the 1970s. What did he try to do, give me the money.

“Come on Hooks you played the number it’s your money.” I want you to have it.

We argued for a little while and finally he just stuck 100 bucks in my shirt pocket, buy the baby something. The kind of guy that would give you the shirt off his back if you were in need of shirt.

An activist concerned about the low wages and the injustices on the job. He got involved in organizing the union. (New York Local 1199 RWDSU as it was known at the time) A Vietnam Veteran who was against the war, and spoke out at a prayer vigil. I found a Xerox copy of an article written back in 1973 about the vigil, quite interesting if you you can manage to read it. It will give you a good idea of who Hooks was.

Unfortunately this story has a sad ending. Jimmy Hooks was found unconscious on the floor in his apartment and died a week later in the hospital, The same hospital he work for and helped organize.

Like so many Veterans he was suffering from drug addiction and health problems, specifically chronic high blood pressure. As much as family and friends try to caution him, he just didn’t seem to pay attention.

There was some controversy surrounding his death. Did he OD, was it really drug addiction, a stroke or a combination of all. I suspect the latter. Many of us felt sort of a collective guilt. Could we have done more, why couldn’t we see what was going on. It was hard to accept that we lost this good concerned decent Human Being.

On this Veterans Day, I just wanted to get his name out there. If his friends didn’t remember, he would be just another forgotten Working Class Hero added to a long list.

Raymond D Milici

One Month On Strike at Sunrise; Strike Vote at Frontier

 

Rally Marks One Month On Strike at Sunrise Inc.

Marking their first month on strike, SEIU 1199 group home and day program care givers rallied at Sunrise, Inc to demand livable wages, affordable health care and a pension.

Strike lines gathered ed in Hartford with community partners and elected officials on Thursday November 11. Most Sunrise workers are Black, brown and white working women currently making less than $17 an hour, with a family health insurance premium of more than $6,000 monthly and no pension for retirement after providing decades of service.

Connecticut AFL-CIO president Ed Hawthorne and executive vice president Shellye Davis, will address the rally. Davis, also president of the Hartford Federation of Paraprofessionals, AFT Local 2221, is the first Black woman elected as the second-highest ranking officer of the Connecticut AFL-CIO.

The group home and day program caregivers are demanding that like other employers, Sunrise Inc. must come to the table and sign a new union contract that reflects the $184-million in additional funding won by the workers and approved by Gov Ned Lamont.

The caregivers are asking for support on their picket lines and contributions to the strike fund: "L199 Strike & Defense Fund" at 77 Huyshope Ave, Hartford, CT 06106.

CWA Workers Picket Frontier Communications

Last week, Communications Workers of America Local 1298 held an informational picket calling on Frontier Communications to negotiate a new contract that includes job security, fair benefits, and access to the jobs of the future expanding Frontier’s network.. Over 97% of CWA members voted to authorize a strike if Frontier refuses to bargain a fair contract.

As essential workers throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and Frontier’s bankruptcy, CWA members stepped up to provide critical broadband service to the residents of Connecticut.

Frontier Communications had announced very positive 3rd quarter earnings. “We gained strong momentum in the quarter and delivered record results on two of the most important drivers of our transformation – building and selling fiber,” said Nick Jeffery, President and CEO of Frontier.

In response, Dave Weidlich Jr, president of CWA Local 1298 said, “CWA members must be recognized with a fair agreement. We are the employees that make Frontier successful. We are committed to building and selling fiber to the residents of Connecticut”

Connecticut AFL-CIO Recommits to Fight for Economic and Racial Justice

The Connecticut AFL-CIO enthusiastically unified around a strong, working class agenda, elected a new multi-racial leadership, and prepared for action with a series of workshops and resolutions at its fourteenth biennial convention themed, “Building Our Movement by Fighting for Economic and Racial Justice.”

The 250 delegates from 25 international unions unanimously elected Ed Hawthorne (AFSCME) as president and Shellye Davis (AFT) as executive vice president. Hawthorne served as vice president of his local at the Department of Labor and chairs the Western Connecticut Area Labor Federation. Davis is the first Black woman to be elected as the second officer of the state federation. A paraeducataor, she serves in multiple leadership capacities in her union and chairs the Eastern Connecticut Area Labor Federation.

After noting the historic nature of her election, Davis said, “We must continue to raise the bar. I am happy to be on this journey with Ed. Together we are ready to be your advocates and hear your voice.”

Delegates voted unanimously to recommit to working with the Recovery For All coalition to reduce racial and economic inequality in Connecticut. A key leader in the coalition, Local 1199 SEIU, re-joined the federation bringing with it the militancy of organizing and winning improved wages and benefits for essential workers, largely women of color in this past year as well as the current strike of caregivers at Sunrise group homes across the state.

National AFL-CIO president Liz Shuler pledged support for the Connecticut strikers. Speaking from the strike line at Kellogs, Shuler said, “We were, are and always will be essential. And we deserve to be treated like it. We deserve a fair share of the profits that we helped to create.” She emphasied the movement for passage of the P:RO Act expanding the right to organize.

Clayola Brown, AFL-CIO Civil and Human Rights Director,spoke early in the convention and led a workshop detailing the history of systemic racism in our country. She praised the action-oriented convention resolution, “Recommitment to Racial and Economic Justice,” which passed unanimously and “encourages affiliates to actively engage in eradication of systemic racism.”

The convention celebrated newly organized workers at twenty-seven different workplaces in eleven unions in the last two years.

People's World Amistad Awards: “Making Good Trouble”

“MAKING GOOD TROUBLE Together We Rise for a Hopeful Future” is the theme of this year's People's World Amistad Awards to be held Saturday, December 11, 2021 at 4:00 pm as a virtual program.

Recipients State Sen Julie Kushner, Pastor Rodney Wade and Azucena Santiato are all in the forefront of fighting for the rights of essential workers and all workers irregardless of immigration status during the COVID pandemic.

They represent the kind of unity, solidarity and vision needed to build the movement that can transform our country to put people, peace and planet before profits:

A special “IN SOLIDARITY” segment will celebrate the historic contract fight of Unite Here unions at Yale, and the ongoing AFT/community struggle to keep maternity services at Windham hospital.

The annual Awards are hosted by CT People's World on the occasion of the 102^nd anniversary of the Communist Party USA. Spanish language interpretation will be available.

A keepsake program book will be mailed to everyone who registers. The deadline for submissions to the program book is November 20, 2021.

State Sen Julie Kushner, Senate Chair of the Labor and Public Employees Committee, is a lifelong organizer and coalition builder for worker rights, as the first woman director of UAW Region 9-A, and an outstanding legislative champion winning paid family and medical leave, raising the minimum wage, climate and jobs legislation, COVID recall rights, and racial and gender equity.

Pastor Rodney Wade, Senior Pastor of Long Hill Bible Church in Waterbury, is a tireless and fearless leader for equity and justice, as a faith leader of the state-wide Recovery for All coalition of labor, community and faith based organizations united to eliminate systemic inequalities. and with Naugatuck Valley Project and other groups providing hope and inspiration to the community.

Azucena Santiago, is a courageous leader with 32BJ SEIU in the fight for union rights and health protections for Service Plaza workers. When McDonald's reduced her hours after she began organizing her co-workers, Azucena filed a complaint with the NLRB and won back pay. She has testified before the State Legislature, led marches and rallies, and is the mother of two.

To register for the zoom event or place a greeting in the adbook, e-mail: ct-pww@pobox.com. Or visit the event homepage at https://actionnetwork.org/ticketed_events/making-good-trouble-together-we-rise-for-a-hopeful-future/

 

Naugatuck Elections Break Barriers

 

For the first time, people of color are on the ballot for the Board of Mayor and Burgess in Naugatuck. This diversity is no accident.

Let’s back up a bit.

The January 6^th attempt by the extreme right at overthrowing the people’s 2020 vote was thwarted. The Biden/Harris election to President and vice-president respectfully was confirmed. It was costly in lives and trauma to the body politic. The struggle now turns to the local level and elections.

In Naugatuck, the political dam was breached by the eleven hundred strong George Floyd march from the green to the police station in June of 2020. Riding, in part, the Nov. Biden/Harris election and with strong union support, organizer George Cabrera (D) ousted George Logan (R) for a State Senate seat. The latter opposed the Police Accountability Act, passed eventually by the State Assembly in Hartford.

Naugatuck youth continued the momentum forward. In the winter of this year, they walked out of the high school. This was in protest to the racist remarks by the police chief’s daughter. The local high school Sunrise Hub environmental group continued the struggle. They joined in coalition with a new environmental group, Friends of Fulling Mill Brook, to protect this vital stream leading to the Naugatuck River.

As is often the case, danger and opportunity appear in the same arena.

Following Steve Bannon’s dictum to take over school boards, two extreme right candidates have their hats in the ring. One refused to wear a mask at a youth sponsored event and had to be removed from the scene. Another declared equity should not be a school board goal. There are being met by a strong, diverse pro-education slate.

Among Burgess candidates, one Republican was at the Jan.6^th rally and march on the Capital. Fortunately, a diverse, strong field of forward-looking candidates, led by Shagufta Zahid, are taking on the challenges. Ms Zahid, with five years of experience on Naugatuck’s conservation commission and program director of the strong Gunntown environmental group, is leading the charge. She is the only candidate putting forward a proposal for a town climate / refugee committee, and doing voter education to make it happen.

The lesson is clear on the local level. Stay woke! Stay active!

Caregivers at Sunrise Strike for Decent Pay

Group home caregivers on the picket line in Hartford were in good spirits as the first day of their strike for livable wages and benefits came to a close. A constant drumbeat helped to keep spirits up as community members from across the city came by to join the picket line in solidarity and join in on chants of “The union is hot,hot,hot. The boss is not,not,not.” and “Fair contract now.”

Over 100 1199 members at Sunrise inc. were on strike as of 6am on Tuesday October, 12 at locations across the state. Despite workers winning over $184 million dollars in additional state funding for private sector group home agencies; Sunrise has refused to agree to a contract that would provide livable wages, affordable healthcare and a pension for its workers.

1199 members at Sunrise are predominantly Black, Latina and working-class white women who are fighting to settle a contract that is inline with their Union sisters and brothers who have already settled contracts that include increase to their wages up to 20% for those with the lowest rates of pay as well as 90% reductions in health insurance premiums in some instance.

Sunrise continues to hold its workers back by paying many of them less than $17 an hour, providing no retirement benefits and saddling them with $6,000 monthly premiums for family health insurance plans. All of this happens while the CEO continues to make $3250,000 a year.

“I’m tired. I’m drained. I’ve been at Sunrise for 24 years. It’s time that they do the right thing. No one at our agency takes insurance because it is not affordable. We haven’t had a pay raise in 15 years,” said direct support professional Jennifer Brown.

“Most of these workers are making less than $17 an hour. They have to pay $6,000 in monthly premiums for family health insurance coverage at Sunrise, and no retirement pension to look forward to in their elder years,” said Rob Baril, president of District 1199NE. “Even after workers were able to leverage more than $184 million in additional state funding from Governor Ned Lamont’s administration, Sunrise continues to deny a fair contract for its own workers while the CEO rakes in $325,000 per year.”

Workers File Lawsuit for Violation of ‘Right to Recall’ Law

The first lawsuit for a violation of Connecticut’s new “Right to Recall” law that protects seniority for service workers was announced on the steps of State Superior Court by a group of Connecticut service plaza workers and their supporters.

“I worked at the McDonald’s at the Darien Northbound rest stop for 26 years,” said Mario Franco, one of three plaintiffs in this first-ever lawsuit. “I was laid off with the entire night shift when the pandemic hit, but they did not rehire a group of us, choosing new workers instead.”

“Some of us also took our case to the National Labor Relations Board, but none of us deserves this kind of treatment. We are all good workers. Michell’s McDonalds is treating us like we are nothing. We deserve our jobs back,” Franco declared.

Introduced by the Labor Committee and passed by the state legislature in July, the “Requiring Employers to Recall Certain Laid-Off Workers in Order of Seniority Act” was signed into law in July,

The law protects service employees, in majority Black, Latino and women, who were laid off during the pandemic, from losing their jobs to new hires.

Connecticut is a national leader to protect workers seniority during the worst global health emergency in a century. California, Nevada, and cities including New Haven enacted similar laws.

Speakers included Labor Committee co-chairs Senator Julie Kushner and Representative Robyn Porter, who led the fight for passage of the bill; Unite Here Local 217 Secretary-Treasurer Josh Stanley, which represents hotel and food service workers, and 32BJ SEIU Vice President Rochelle Palache, who leads the organizing of Connecticut interstate service plaza workers for fair pay, benefits, and the right to join a union.

“It’s simply disgusting that Mitchell’s McDonald’s and other service plaza employers are using the cover of Covid to abuse workers like Mario,” Palache said.

“This first lawsuit covers the three most senior workers who were never recalled after the massive layoffs early in the pandemic, while the company made new hires. But bad bosses everywhere are being put on notice to recall their workers in this pandemic. This lawsuit will remind them that their actions aren’t just immoral, they’re now also illegal,”emphasized Palache.

Facults, Students and Community March for Full Funding of Public Colleges

Chants for full funding for public higher education in Connecticut filled the streets of downtown New Haven this week as union members, faculty, students, immigrant rights, community groups and elected officials from across the state marched from the New Haven Green to Gateway Communkity College..

Recovery for All CT, co-sponsor of the action declared “Millions of working-class students, especially black and brown students, have relied on our twelve community colleges, four CSU universities, and UConn as a crucial path to better lives. It's time for the state to fully fund public colleges and universities for all our students and negotiate strong contracts for all our faculty and staff at the very heart of these invaluable institutions.”

Immigrant rights organization Unidad Latina en Accion organized for the march and rally “to demand major investment in all CT public colleges and universities.”

“Tuition is too expensive, students are buried in debt, and administrators want to cut services instead of investing in the education that we deserve,” they said.

AFT Connecticut members who work at the state's community colleges, UConn, and UConn Health, turned out for the march to demand that “higher education be a quality public good available to every single state resident.”

Now in the midst of tough contract negotiations, they are seeking fairness and justice on the job as well as access and equity for their students. Issues include workforce reductions, increased workloads and proposed community college consolidations.

Part of the State Employees Bargaining Agent Coalition (SEBAC), a co-sponsor of the action, AFT decried that “management and their contracted labor relations lawyers are failing to show respect for faculty and staff.”

Supporters were urged to sign a petition (https://act.seiu.org/a/firejacksonlewis) demanding that Jackson Lewis, the notorious anti-union lawfirm being employed in the negotiations, be fired by President Cheng and the CSCU Board of Regents..

.

“Our unions are standing together in coalition with our students and our communities to fight for the rights of all workers in both the public and private sectors. We believe that all workers should be able to earn a living wage and for all workers to be treated with dignity and respect.,” the statement with the petition says.

Rallies Set: Sept 29 for Higher Education – Oct 2 “What is Yale For”

Public higher education professionals who seek fairness and justice on the job have called a state-wide rally and march on Wednesday, September 29 at 4 pm from the New Haven Green to Gateway Community College. They are asking for support in contract negotiations for faculty and support staff at community colleges, state universities and the University of Connecticut (Uconn) facing workforce reductions, increased workloads and other cutbacks. The march is organized by the Recovery for All Coalition and the State Employees Bargaining Agent Coalition (SEBAC).

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Rev. Scott Marks, director of New Haven Rising, issued a call to rally on Saturday October 2 at 1 pm at the corner of Propsect and Grove Streets in New Haven. On that day, Yale University is publicly launching a fundraising campaign of $6 billion. An email announcing the launch asked “What are you for?”. The movement will respond by returning to Prospect and Grove Sts where we held our street painting action and car caravan in May, to ask Yale to answer its own question. “What is Yale For?”

As our community endures a summer of heartbreaking violence, Yale University is still accepting a massive tax break from New Haven, and has not yet honored a community hiring commitment due in April 2019. The tax break means fewer city services and higher taxes for home owners. The failure in its hiring commitments means many more households suffered through this pandemic without good jobs.

 This summer, over 1,000 people left voicemails with Yale leaders to ask for a better partnership based on respect. Yale University still has not engaged the community in a way that would bring hope and justice to a city suffering from over eighty years of segregated development and the devastating, unequal impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. New Haven is still forced to pay for tax breaks for buildings that were named to honor individuals who or whose family owned enslaved people and contemporary wealthy donors who gave political contributions to leaders who sought to overturn the last election. It’s time for this partnership to change. Our community deserves respect. 

CT Teachers Resist a Right-Wing Take-Over of Public Education

The national anti-racist watchdog organization People for the American Way (PFAW) has exposed a coordinated dark money campaign to fund local front groups' electoral activities. Their Right-Wing Watch project has uncovered attempts to recruit and ultimately back candidates for boards of education (BOE) across the country by campaigning against so-called "critical race theory" curricula.

Click here for more from PFAW on the race-based attempt to seize local school boards.

The campaign’s inflammatory rhetoric this summer stalled out locally with majorities of parents in most Connecticut communities rejecting the politics of division and hate. National funders have instead found fertile ground in the Nutmeg State among small but vocal minorities clinging to anti-science propaganda regarding COVID-19 safety protocols.

A local front group brought the issue to the boiling point at a “back-to-school” forum in Cheshire. State education department officials after just 30 minutes ended the event early following outbursts from a small crowd from the local "Unmask Our Kids CT" chapter.

"The highest duty of a board member is to ensure the safety and well-being of the district’s students and staff," said Jason Adler, Waterford Federation of Classroom Teachers' president. "Teaching and learning cannot occur in an unsafe environment."

Adler, a Clinton BOE member, added, "I have the pleasure of serving on a Board of Education that makes decisions based on the best interests of student learning and health. It pains me to witness friends and neighbors - good people - being sold a false narrative by shadowy figures who hope to benefit politically through strife."

"We must let science and safety continue to be our north star when it comes to the students and employees of our school systems," Adler concluded.

Union activists like Adler have once again stepped up in 2021 to run on the "labor is your neighbor" platform. They will be on the November 2 municipal election ballot in towns across Connecticut. The “labor is your neighbor” get out the vote program provides a path forward this fall to help protect schools from an extremist-funded power and defend educators' hard-fought gains and children’s future learning opportunities.

– Excerpted from “Inside AFT Connecticut”

New Haven becomes third CT city to endorse Medicare for All

In response to a community campaign seeking action to ensure high quality health care as a human right, the New Haven Board of Alders has unanimously adopted a resolution in favor of Medicare for All legislation. New Haven joins New London and Windham which passed similar resolutions earlier this year.

Recognizing the high cost of health insurance as a barrier to care for individuals and a burden for the city budget, the resolution “calls on our federal l legislators to work toward enactment of H.R. 1976, the Medicare for All Act of 2021, assuring appropriate and efficient health care for all residents of the United States.”

The resolution explains that the Medicare for All Act of 2021 “would provide universal single-payer health insurance for every person in the United States for all necessary medical care including prescription drugs; hospital, surgical and outpatient services; primary and preventive care; emergency services; reproductive care; dental and vision care; and l long-term care without premiums, co-pays, deductibles or other out-of-pocket costs, and assure patients a free choice of doctors.”

The resolution was initiated by Medicare for All CT, New Haven Rising, Connecticut Working Families Party and the New Haven Peoples Center among others. Over 500 New Haven residents wrote letters of support.

“New Haven residents have been reaching out to us non-stop since this resolution was introduced,”
said Alder Darryl Brackeen, Jr. “We kept their voices and letters in mind when passing the resolution unanimously through the Health and Human Services Committee, and the entire Board of Alders.”

The resolution points out that “recent polls show that a majority of Americans support Medicare for All.” stating that “the $3.5 trillion US multi-payer is the most expensive in the world, yet has

left nearly 30 million Americans without health insurance and over 40 million

under-insured.”

In addition to support for national legislation, the resolution calls on state legislators to support “a state-level single payer in Connecticut to guarantee healthcare to all Connecticut residents.

The text of the resolution will be delivered to Rep. Rosa DeLauro, Sen Richard Blumenthal and Sen Chris Murphy.

Labor Day: Fast Food Workers Rally for Protections; Pandemic Unemployment Benefits End

Just before the Labor Day travel rush, cooks and cashiers at the I-95 service plazas gathered at the Darien northbound plaza to raise alarms of health and safety practices by McDonalds and other companies that risk spreading COVID-19 Delta variant. 

“Workers at rest stops on I-95, I-15 and I-395 are facing conditions that jeopardize them, their families, and countless highway travelers and their home communities,” said Rochelle Palache Vice President of 32BJ SEIU, which has been supporting service plaza workers organizing for better conditions.

“Many workers have been denied knowledge of their paid sick time, and very few are earning Standard Wage, which includes benefits like health insurance,” she said.

“Now, the Delta variant is surging while bosses at giant name brands such as McDonald’s and Subway ease off masking and social distancing.”

“ We are proud to stand with these workers to let McDonald’s, Subway, Sbarro, Dunkin Donuts know that failing to assure worker health and safety means failing every customer as well. After more than a year and a half, we’re still all in this together,” said Palache.

Others speaking at the rally including State Reps. David Michel and Corey Paris of Stamford, and McDonald's service plaza worker Azucena Santiago, emphasized that as the Delta surge peaks, workers need adequate PPE and clear sick day policies for maximum personal and public safety.

Pndemic Unemployment Benefits Expire

Meanwhile, the federal pandemic unemployment $300 weekly benefit included in the CARES Act expires over the Labor Day weekend on September 4. There are 129,000 people in Connecticut now collecting unemployment insurance.

In addition, the federal High Extended Benefits (HEB) program ends on September 11.

While the number of new unemployment claims has been dropping for several months, Connecticut is in the top ten states with highest unemployment since the pandemic.

Dante Bartolomeo, Interim Labor Commissioner said that new job openings are being added weekly.

The impact of the expiration of pandemic unemployment benefits as the Delta variant surges places many families in jeopardy. For those who find a new job after extended unemployment, a $1,000 bonus is being made available through the CT Department of Revenue Services.

"The Time is Now for a Path to Citizenship' is the Message to CT's Senators

As Nelson Pinos received a stay of deportation last month after four years in sanctuary at the First and Summerfield Church to keep his family together, the demand is intensifying nationally and in Connecticut that a pathway to citizenship be included in the reconciliation package to be acted upon by the U.S. Senate.

“Our undocumented community demands relief and a pathway to citizenship,” says CT Students for a Dream in an organizing appeal. “The time is now.”

Last week, they met with Sen Chris Murphy's aides in Hartford to press for support of a pathway to citizenship and “to only vote for the reconciliation package if the pathway to citizenship is kept in it.” The week before Make the Road CT held a round table with Sen Blumenthal to share lived experiences and insist that the time is now.

The campaign is part of a national effort. “The only thing that can protect all immigrant youth, TPS holders, farm workers and other essential workers, is a path to citizenship through reconciliation,” says a sign-on letter to the Senators now being circulated. “Until President Biden and Democrats in Congress deliver on citizenship, the lives of millions of undocumented people remain on the line. Democrats must pass a pathway to citizenship this year, no excuses. And they must use every tool at their disposal.” the letter says.

With an evenly divided Senate, and a filibuster rule that requires 60 votes for most bills to pass, the reconciliation process which only requires a simple majority of 50 plus the vote of the Vice President, places the onus on Democrats to do the job. No Republicans have indicated support for a path to citizenship.

For Nelson Pinos and his family the situation is immediate. Pinos took sanctuary in November of 2017 to keep his family together after being informed that despite living in the US for 29 years and being the father of three young children, he would be deported.

After many failed appeals, the most recent resulted in a one-year stay, during which time lawyers will try to reopen his case and get permanent residency.

Pinos rallied on the steps of New Haven City Hall this week with Senator Blumenthal, homecare workers, janitors, and farmworkers to call for a historic budget blueprint that includes citizenship for millions of essential workers and an investment in good jobs.

The labor and community groups demanded a national economic recovery that centers around the nation’s most vulnerable and essential workers, including a pathway to citizenship for those without status.

The rally was part of a series of town halls across the country hosted by the Natkional Domestic Workers Alliance, the Always Essential coalition and the We Are Home Coalition.

On August 24, the House of Representatives approved the Senate’s budget blueprint, including a path to citizenship for undocumented essential workers, farmworkers, and immigrants in limbo, including those with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Citizenship for millions is an investment in the American economy and will boost wages, reduce deficits, and accelerate GDP growth, said the coalition.

“I am forever grateful to have Temporary Protected Status, but much like COVID-19 has limited all of us for a year and a half, so my status has limited my ability to see family and plan for the future for a quarter century,” said Fausto Canelas, a Bridgeport office cleaner and 32BJ member originally from Honduras. “Immigrants like me risked our lives throughout the pandemic, performing essential jobs so that all Americans could live as normally as possible; we are asking Congress to honor our sacrifice by opening a path to citizenship so we can live normally, too.”

Send a letter to both CT Senators here https://actionnetwork.org/.../send-a-letter-demand-ct.../... 

Backyard Multi-Cultural Celebration to be held at Peoples Center

A multi-cultural celebration and re-opening from the pandemic is being held by the New Haven Peoples Center on Saturday August 28 from 2 to 6 pm.

The celebration will highlight the hard work over the last 18 months during the pandemic, and look forward to renewed activities and organizing to expand racial and economic justice and social needs and peace..

The event will feature Capoeira Esperanza and a drum circle with Brian Jarawa Gray, performances by Ice the Beef and spoken word by Baub Bidon, Catherine Wicks and others. A demonstration of tortilla making and tacos will be on hand. Soft drinks and snacks will be available. Guests are asked to bring some food for a pot luck. A grill will be available for use.

The Peoples Center, located at 37 Howe Street in New Haven, has been the site of food distributions and rental assistance to the immigrant community by Unidad Latina en Accion for the last 18 months.

Immigrants without documents and their family members have been excluded from all governent pandemic relief. After a strong demand placed by immigrant organizations across the state including the Semilla Collective, CT Students for a Dream and the Connecticut Immigrant Rights Alliance, a special Connecrticut fund was set up to make pandemic relief available to immigrant families regardless of status.

During these months, the Peoples Center Jobs and Unemployed Committee has provided information about benefits won in the American Rescue Plan including pandemic unemployment funds, extending rent and foreclosure moratoriums, providing rent and utility relief, the child tax credit and direct stimulus payments.

Recovery Act funds are available for tenants who were unable to pay rent due to the pandemic both through the State’s UniteCT rental assistance program and in New Haven through the program CASTLE. Landlords are required to go through the Unite CT process before they can start eviction proceedings. Tenants are now entitled to legal counsel in housing court.

Food insecurity, and racism in health, housing and employment were all exposed during the pandemic. The Jobs and Unemployed Committee is helping organize for larger and transformative rescue packages before Congress.

Most recently, President Biden acted to increate SNAP benefits. State Rep Juan Candelaria annoucned that “Starting in October, SNAP benefits will rise an average of 25 percent—a permanent change that will benefit our nation's 42 million SNAP beneficiaries. As a result, the average SNAP benefit – excluding additional funds provided as part of pandemic relief – will increase by $36.24 per person, per month, beginning October 1, 2021.

“This additional assistance will help individuals and families maintain a healthy diet and keep food on the table both during and after these uncertain times.

“Click here to learn more about Connecticut's SNAP program, including information on how to apply for food assistance.”

For more information about the Backyard Multi-Cultural Celebration or the Jobs and Unemployed Committee contact peoplescenter@pobox.com or leave a message at 203-624-8664.

Long-term Caregivers Demand Livable Wages In Civil Disobedience at Governor's Mansion

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Home care workers (PCAs) rallied at the Governor’s Residence in Hartford to demand a fair contract, and calling for the $200 thousand of federal funds included in the Recovery Act for home care services to be allocated to meet the needs of healthcare workers. 

 

There are 10,000 home care PCAs covered by SEIU District 1199’s union contract with the State of Connecticut, serving 6,000 families. The contract, which expired at the end of June,was extended pending negotiations.

“If Connecticut cares about advancing racial and pay equity, negotiate a fair contract with PCAs, the majority of whom are women of color that make poverty wages with no health insurance, retirement or paid time off”, said Diedre Murch, vice president of District 1199’s home care division.

“It’s a shame that we have to be out here in 2021 doing the very things that they did back in the sixties. I mean, we’re talking over 50 years of a struggle for people,” said State Rep. Robyn Porter, co-chair of the Labor Committee. “I will be here with you every step of the way. If we can't get these things done right this year, then when are we going to make things right?”

“I think of all the people that you help as healthcare workers. That you’re there to make sure they have that dignity and that they can get through the hardest part of their lives. That they can have some stability in their lives.,” said State Rep Ed Vargas, asking, “ Is that possible if you as a healthcare workers don’t have stability in your own lives?”

“This is a fight for dignity.” Vargas concluded. “ This is a fight to make sure that the work you’re doing is recognized. And you will win and we will support you all the way,”

The demand by union home care workers for living wages and benefits has national support including Mary Kay Henry President of SEIU, Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II of the Poor People’s Campaign and Repairers of the Breach, and Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.