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.