CT AFL-CIO says Stand Up, Fight Back

The labor movement in Connecticut left fired up from the 16th Biennial Connecticut AFL-CIO convention, ready to “Stand Up, Fight Back” against the assault on unions and toward the common goal of a better life for all workers and communities.

“The message was clear,” said one AFSCME member, “We're up for the fight we're in right now and we're up for the fight to come because when workers fight, we win “

The convention included open discussions, workshops, prominent guest speakers, election of leadership, and strategizing for the hard work ahead of all organized labor.

Keynote speaker Attorney General William Tong opened the convention itemizing ten lawsuits his office brought against the Trump administration, winning reinstatement of funding and infrastructure jobs withdrawn when Connecticut upheld it's immigration protections.

“We are not powerless.” said Tong. “We WILL win this battle… we will NOT be bullied and we will NOT be intimidated!”

Tong praised the role of the labor movement in preserving democracy saying “What gives me hope for the future of the country is you here now.”

A plenary panel “Blame the Boss not the Immigrants: Immigrants as Workers” included presentations by two immigration lawyers, Connecticut Students For a Dream, Make the Road and SEIU 32 BJ deputy political director Jose Miranda.

Miranda emphasized language won in union contracts to protect immigrant members including maintaining seniority during a status case and know your rights trainings for both employers and workers.

“If immigrants are unprotected and powerless only the employers win,” said moderator Eric Cruz Lopez. “This fight is all our fight.”

In their reports president Ed Hawthorne and secretary-treasurer Shellye Davis congratulated the unions who have won strikes this year including the Machinists at Pratt and Whitney winning job security in a historic three week work stoppage,

Jescraft in Oxford on strike for six-and-a-half weeks to win their union, Unite Here 217 at the Hyatt, the Omni and Sodexo, CWA 1298 at Frontier, AFT nurses at Backus Hospital, UAW at Electric Boat and members of SEIU 1199.

“Every one of these strikes or near-strikes demonstrates that the power of solidarity is absolute. We must lean on each other when times are tough,” said Hawthorne.

“But our solidarity cannot stop at the picket line. We must stand with workers everywhere—documented and undocumented—because the struggle for workers' rights is inseparable from the fight for human rights.”

Hawthorne announced that, “Through the Yale Law School Worker & Immigrant Rights Advocacy Clinic, we are planning to file a Freedom of Information request to uncover every workplace in the nation that has been raided by ICE. And we are prepared to take this administration to Federal Court if they fail to comply. “

In her remarks Davis said, “Bosses think we are weak. We are willing to fight for each and every worker being exploited by billionaires. We have no choice but to win. We are committed to elevate economic, racial and social justice for all working people.”

Celebrating the wave of organizing underway in the state, the convention presented awards to 16 unions that brought in new locals this year.

Hawthorne and Davis were unanimously re-elected, along with returning and new members to executive board positions. Appreciation was expressed for the pair's role championing dignity, fairness, and power and building solidarity for a stronger Connecticut for all workers.

Delegates adopted a wide range of resolutions including establishing a veterans council, organizing for affordable longterm care, banning private equity ownership of health care facilities.

The final two resolutions which concluded the convention inspired delegates for the struggles ahead.

Many delegates spoke in favor of a resolution against school vouchers emphasizing that public education is essential for democracy and calling for public funding of public schools that are universally accessible and where all are welcome.

The final resolution calling for a Union Day of Solidarity was inspired by the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists and presented by the Racial Justice Committee of the CT AFL CIO among others.

“This is what we're all about, standing together and rallying together,” said Carl Chisholm. Win Heimer recalled the seven million in the streets for No Kings Day II and emphasized that an initiative led by labor with allies is needed to stop the attacks on the working class and build for the future”

The convention hosted a fund raiser for the Connecticut for All coalition of 60 labor, community and faith organizations committed to winning tax policies that end the huge economic and racial disparities in the state.

Norma Martinez-Hosang, executive director, told the delegates, “I believe in the power of community and labor, overcoming the divide between workers in the public sector and public awareness,” inviting each union to join in the fight for equity and justice.

Higher Ed Week of Action: Full Funding, Fair Contracts

A Higher Ed Week of Action is uniting community college campuses across Connecticut to fight for the future of public higher education including fair contracts and fully funded colleges.

Sponsored by the higher education unions AFT Connecticut, AFSCME and the 4C's, demands include full funding for community colleges and the CSCU system, fair contracts and better working conditions, and more full time faculty and staff to support student success.

The kickoff rally, “Our Education, Our Future,” was held at Capital Community College in Hartford on the second day of the Special Legislative Session. Following pre-rally pizza, students, staff and faculty members talked about Funding Our Future, More Full-Time Staffing, and Fair Contracts for Workers. The rally was co-sponsored by the Student Government Association.

Rallies will be held on Tuesday November 18 at 1 pm at Manchester Community College (CT State Manchester) and on Thursday November 20 at 2:30 pm at Gateway Community College (CT State Gateway) in New Haven.

Connecticut’s public colleges are vital to workforce development and community opportunity, but they cannot thrive without stable funding and fair contracts that ensure full-time attention for students. 

“However. decades of underfunding have left our community college struggling to provide the same essential supports offered at every college, such as advising and tutoring to mental health services. Our students are more likely to be first-generation, come from underfunded K-12 school districts, and be working parents trying to build better lives. We’re rallying to demand the stable funding and fair contracts our colleges need because when our students succeed, our communities and our state thrive.” said the faculty.

Currently 75% of community college teaching faculty are part-time, with no health care benefits. Students deserve access to full-time faculty and staff to best educate them. Faculty deserve full-time jobs with good health care and benefits. “We are fighting to end this exploitation of our teaching faculty and ensure our community college students have access to full-time faculty inside and outside of the classroom."

Union Retirees Honor Activists On the Front Lines

 

“Organize, mobilize, agitate” was the watchword from Alliance for Retired Americans director Rich Fiesta at the packed awards luncheon of Connecticut ARA.

The room was filled with retirees active to protect social security, medicare, medicaid and all hard won rights. A special celebration hailed three years of organizing, initiated by CT ARA, that won repeal of WEP/GPO. No longer would public sector workers be denied full Social Security benefits if they held second jobs. President Joe Biden was introduced at the signing ceremony by CT ARA president Bette Marafino. Appreciation was shown to the leaders of the grass roots campaign at the luncheon. CT AFL-CIO president Ed Hawthorne praised the retirees as the backbone of the labor movement.

Accepting the Charlene Block Award, State Rep Jan Hochadel , also president of AFT Connecticut, reaffirmed her fight for and with seniors and working people.

The Kevin Lynch award was presented to Tom Connolly for his years of leadership in the labor movement. Excerpts of his inspiring call to action follow:

Tom Connolly: Unite, Fight, Win

Dr. Martin Luther King warned us of the possibility of a “native form of fascism in America.” And that is what the Trump/MAGA agenda is attempting

to do.

As we sit here today, someone — somewhere — is being zip tied and taken away by heavily armed masked ICE agents with no due process and shipped off to prison. We have deep cuts coming to SNAP food stamps and Medicaid — so the rich can get richer.

They’re firing and stripping labor contracts from our union sisters and brothers at the federal level, dismantling the NLRB, and threatening the 2026 elections through gerrymandering, voter suppression, and using military force in our cities.

Project 2025, funded by millionaires and billionaires, is designed to hold power — at any cost. Lying, cheating, stripping rights, blocking democracy — it’s all part of their plan.

One thing we know for sure: If we roll over and do nothing — they will roll right over us. We are not going to let that happen. We are going to fight. We are going to unite. And we are going to win.

We’ve already seen what unity can do. On October 18th, over 7 million people took part in the NO KINGS Rally, joined by millions more around the globe. We are not alone.

Look at this tremendous ARA victory — winning the fight to repeal WEP / GPO impacting the lives of hundreds or thousands of people. Many thought it was impossible — but it happened through organizing. When ARA won — they didn’t quit. They reorganized now to protect income security.

Another example is my retiree union, CSEA Retirees Council 400, where I had the honor of serving as Vice President of our 12,000-member organization and now chair our Legislative Action Committee. What holds us together is what keeps us alive — our pensions, our healthcare, and Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.

But we also have to look beyond just one contract or one campaign. On the national level, the Trump/MAGA fascist agenda continues. SNAP, food stamps cuts, go into effect next month. That’s why groups like the CT for All Coalition matter. It brings together labor, community, and faith organizations to fight for taxing wealth to meet the needs of multi-racial working-class and disenfranchised — and linking our local fights to the larger national struggle.

We have to come together because if every working person’s boat isn’t lifted, those left behind become easy targets for Trump’s lies — that he cares about them, and unions don’t. We know that’s not true. But we have to show it’s not true — by standing and fighting with others.

There is an even broader fight. Capitalism works for billionaires but it disenfranchises us. If we learned anything from Project 2025 it’s that this system is for the few—it’s not for the many. We the many can win big changes for our rights and future if we organize, and stand in solidarity, we can even put socialism on the agenda.

Back in the 1970s I joined the anti-poverty movement, and stayed in it for the rest of my life. Someone invited me to New Haven to hear a candidate running for Congress on the Communist Party USA ticket — Joelle Fishman. She spoke softly but with conviction: “We have to tax the rich, cut the military budget, meet community needs, protect labor rights, and end racism and other forms of discrimination.” When she finished, I said, where do I sign? That vision — that hope — gives me the strength to see the light at the end of the tunnel to solve some major problems.

I accept this award not just for myself, but for all of us — for everyone who fights, organizes, and believes that we can create a world with true liberty and justice for all. Thank you and let’s continue to take care of each other and go out and MAKE GOOD TROUBLE!

Tenants of Alpha Capital Unite Across Town

 

New London, CT — Alpha Capital Funds, a CT-based investment-landlord firm owned by Tyler Smith, recently purchased five residential buildings in New London: 6 Redden Ave, 36 Nathan Hale St, 461 Williams St, and 105 & 111 Broad St. Since the acquisition of these properties, totaling 61 renters’ homes, Alpha Capital has issued 14 notices to quit, with more notices expected for additional tenants through August 2026. Notices to quit are the first step in the process of evicting tenants—in this case for no fault.

Tenants decided to rapidly unionize, join forces with already-unionized Alpha Capital tenants in Niantic, affiliate as a chapter of the Connecticut Tenants Union, and demand that Tyler Smith of Alpha Capital Funds meet them at the bargaining table to negotiate terms to remain securely housed. Tenants include senior and disabled tenants living on limited, fixed incomes, as well as working people and families with children—many of whom are already rent-burdened.

“My monthly disability income is $967. My monthly rent is $950. I’m already struggling every month to pay my other bills on top of the rent. If I get forced out of this apartment, what will I do then? My neighbors and I have literally no choice but to fight this. Tyler Smith, just come to the table and talk to us. Negotiate a new lease. That’s all we want. ” said Michael Duffy, tenant and union leader.

At New London City Hall, tenant union leaders announced the formation of their union and their demand for a fair deal that prevents their displacement. New London Mayor Michael Passero, State Senator Martha Marx, and Representative Anthony Nolan all voiced their support for the union’s demands and committed to reiterate those demands to Tyler Smith directly.

This press conference marked the expansion of tenant unions in southeastern Connecticut, as Niantic and New London tenants joined forces to combat the predatory landlording practices of Alpha Capital Funds in their communities and to fight back against no-fault evictions and unaffordable rents. Their cross-town solidarity represents a significant step up in scale of the region’s tenant movement.

 

OPINION: In CT, no one should lose healthcare, no one should starve

by Tom Swan

Last week 360,000 SNAP recipients were being told their cards will not be replenished in November.  About 158,000 other people have been receiving notices that they will see their healthcare costs rise exponentially – far beyond their ability to pay.

Connecticut is one of the richest states in one of the world’s richest countries.  We now face the very real prospect of tens of thousands of people unable to eat and losing health care. The cruelty of HR1, President Donald Trump’s big ugly bill, and his government shutdown, are taking hold in Connecticut.  Massive numbers of people are at risk to be without food and/or healthcare.

Despite an extraordinary court order that the federal government use contingency funds to keep the feed assistance coming, the threat still exists in the face of Congressional inaction.

We, in Connecticut, must act.

HR1 and the shutdown are just the latest cruel actions by Trump and Republicans that reward billionaires and corporations and at the expense of working people. Even if Congress does restore these cuts, Connecticut must be prepared to step up and make sure children do not starve and that all people have healthcare.

Unfortunately, our leaders appear to be negotiating Connecticut’s response in terms of budget limits instead of determining what it takes to meet the needs of Connecticut residents. We finished the 2024 fiscal year with a $1.9 billion surplus, which can and should be used to meet urgent needs now.

Gov. Ned Lamont, Speaker Matt Ritter, Senator Martin Looney — we have an emergency.  We cannot food bank our way out of this. Children will go hungry and health care will be at risk for everyone, unless you act.

Connecticut has the capacity to address these cuts. At the moment we have a record surplus and the wealthiest among us are receiving hundreds of millions of dollars in tax cuts as part of Trump’s big ugly Bill.

It is good that the legislature and the governor are planning a special session to address the looming crisis and cruelty about to be unleashed in Connecticut. But we need to step up, go outside the current budget framework and develop both a short term response and longer term solutions to what we are about to withstand over the next couple years

Immediate steps include:

• Ensure no one loses coverage as a result of the One Ugly Bill and Trump’s inaction.  This includes people seeking reproductive health care, Legally Present Immigrants and people receiving Enhanced Premium Tax Credit to purchase insurance on the exchange.  We know some of these items will be costly, but we should consider reforms that would lessen the costs, particularly around the tax credits.  An example is to clamp down on the profiteering by insurers through vertical integration and their self -dealing through both mandatory disclosure and caps.

• Prepare for the looming mess the bill creates for Medicaid and SNAP.  DSS has acknowledged the problems with their call centers with some recent announcements. However these steps will not come close to solving the problem and DSS should have to meet the same standards they demand for contractors in terms of customer service.  In addition, we need to significantly increase our investment in community health works to help people navigate the new bureaucratic hurdles in the bill and to do the traditional health and wellness functions CHWs perform.  This will save money on uncompensated care and by keeping people healthier.

• Make sure people have food.  The fact that Trump is playing political games with food is no excuse for Connecticut to not act here.  It is a lot of money, but if the idea of our neighbors going to bed hungry isn’t enough of a reason to act, the impact on grocers, small businesses, and farmers should make this a no brainer for the governor and legislature should be.

Some people are arguing Connecticut can’t afford to address the needs.  We argue Connecticut can’t afford not to.  We have a record budget surplus that the legislature can redirect to cover this. 

In addition, the wealthiest amongst us are receiving huge tax cuts from the ugly bill.  Do the Governor and the legislature really think these people should be able to cash these tax cuts while others starve and/or lose health care? 

We find that hard to believe because in Connecticut NO ONE SHOULD STARVE OR LOSE THEIR HEALTH CARE.

Tom Swan is the Executive Director of the Connecticut Citizen Action Group.

Teacher Contract Rally Builds the Movement for Fully Funded Schools

 

The future of public education and the New Haven community is being shaped as teachers bargain for a new contract, involving their membes, students, parents and the community in unprecedented ways.

At a contract rally outside King-Robinson School held while the School Board met inside, dozens of teachers raised their hands to cheers, saying this was their first every rally.

“We are fired up and ready to go,” said New Haven Federation of Teachers president Leslie Blatteau. “In a time when democratic institutions are increasingly under attack, it's our unions who are the line of resistance, building the networks we need to organize and fight back.”

The union's contract negotiations team is groundbreaking. Bulletins are issued for every school after each bargaining session to keep members up to date and allow for input. Observers are present at each negotiating session, bringing along their testimonies.

The rally expressed the power of collective action, and showed the love of these teachers for their students. The union explained the demands they are fighting for along side students, parents and community organizations like New Haven Rising.

“NHFT members are committed to real solutions for our kids - Lower class sizes, caseload caps, better maintained facilties, protections for LGBTQIA+ and immigrant students, and academic freedom in our classrooms.” said Blatteau.

“NHFT members also deserve the salary, and the respect, that matches teachers in other districts. We deserve affordable healthcare thru the State Partnership Plan - without the headache of deductibles and the threat of medical debt.”

Despite raises, take home pay for the teachers is less this year because of Aetna's greedy increases in healthcare coverage. Instead of just complaining the union explored other options and found that municipalities can pool resources for health coverage through the State Partnership Plan 2.0

“The city and the BOE make choices with their budgets every year. It's time - this year - that they make a choice that shows they stand with our teachers and our kids. Let's go.,” said Blatteau.

Union Retirees Honor Activists on the Front Lines

“Organize, mobilize, agitate” was the watchword from Alliance for Retired Americans director Rich Fiesta at the packed awards luncheon of Connecticut ARA.

The room was filled with retirees active to protect social security, medicare, medicaid and all hard won rights. A special celebration hailed three years of organizing, initiated by CT ARA, that won repeal of WEP/GPO. No longer would public sector workers be denied full Social Security benefits if they held second jobs. President Joe Biden was introduced at the signing ceremony by CT ARA president Bette Marafino. Appreciation was shown to the leaders of the grass roots campaign at the luncheon. CT AFL-CIO president Ed Hawthorne praised the retirees as the backbone of the labor movement.

Accepting the Charlene Block Award, State Rep Jan Hochadel , also president of AFT Connecticut, reaffirmed her fight for and with seniors and working people.

The Kevin Lynch award was presented to Tom Connolly for his years of leadership in the labor movement. Excerpts of his inspiring call to action follow:

Tom Connolly: Unite, Fight, Win

Dr. Martin Luther King warned us of the possibility of a “native form of fascism in America.” And that is what the Trump/MAGA agenda is attempting

to do.

As we sit here today, someone — somewhere — is being zip tied and taken away by heavily armed masked ICE agents with no due process and shipped off to prison. We have deep cuts coming to SNAP food stamps and Medicaid — so the rich can get richer.

They’re firing and stripping labor contracts from our union sisters and brothers at the federal level, dismantling the NLRB, and threatening the 2026 elections through gerrymandering, voter suppression, and using military force in our cities.

Project 2025, funded by millionaires and billionaires, is designed to hold power — at any cost. Lying, cheating, stripping rights, blocking democracy — it’s all part of their plan.

One thing we know for sure: If we roll over and do nothing — they will roll right over us. We are not going to let that happen. We are going to fight. We are going to unite. And we are going to win.

We’ve already seen what unity can do. On October 18th, over 7 million people took part in the NO KINGS Rally, joined by millions more around the globe. We are not alone.

Look at this tremendous ARA victory — winning the fight to repeal WEP / GPO impacting the lives of hundreds or thousands of people. Many thought it was impossible — but it happened through organizing. When ARA won — they didn’t quit. They reorganized now to protect income security.

Another example is my retiree union, CSEA Retirees Council 400, where I had the honor of serving as Vice President of our 12,000-member organization and now chair our Legislative Action Committee. What holds us together is what keeps us alive — our pensions, our healthcare, and Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.

But we also have to look beyond just one contract or one campaign. On the national level, the Trump/MAGA fascist agenda continues. SNAP, food stamps cuts, go into effect next month. That’s why groups like the CT for All Coalition matter. It brings together labor, community, and faith organizations to fight for taxing wealth to meet the needs of multi-racial working-class and disenfranchised — and linking our local fights to the larger national struggle.

We have to come together because if every working person’s boat isn’t lifted, those left behind become easy targets for Trump’s lies — that he cares about them, and unions don’t. We know that’s not true. But we have to show it’s not true — by standing and fighting with others.

There is an even broader fight. Capitalism works for billionaires but it disenfranchises us. If we learned anything from Project 2025 it’s that this system is for the few—it’s not for the many. We the many can win big changes for our rights and future if we organize, and stand in solidarity, we can even put socialism on the agenda.

Back in the 1970s I joined the anti-poverty movement, and stayed in it for the rest of my life. Someone invited me to New Haven to hear a candidate running for Congress on the Communist Party USA ticket — Joelle Fishman. She spoke softly but with conviction: “We have to tax the rich, cut the military budget, meet community needs, protect labor rights, and end racism and other forms of discrimination.” When she finished, I said, where do I sign? That vision — that hope — gives me the strength to see the light at the end of the tunnel to solve some major problems.

I accept this award not just for myself, but for all of us — for everyone who fights, organizes, and believes that we can create a world with true liberty and justice for all. Thank you and let’s continue to take care of each other and go out and MAKE GOOD TROUBLE!

No Kings – No Billionaires Massive CT Turnout

Thousands in Connecticut turned out at 50 No Kings rallies across the state on October 18. From 12,000 in Hartford to several thousands in New Haven, Stamford, Westport, Guilford, Glastonbury, New London, and many smaller towns, a collective voice gave hope.

Speakers from Indivisible, unions, civil liberties, immigrant rights and elected officials urged continued action to block the cruel policies of MAGA / Trump and emphasized the need to get out the vote.

In New Haven, Unite Here leader Rev Scott Marks made a ringing call for solidarity to stop the attacks and move forward for economic and social justice. Leslie Blatteau New Haven Federation of Teachers president drew from the lessons of the African American civil rights movement.

In Hartford, SEIU and AFT members and CT Students for a Dream marched to the Capitol with postcards to the Governor demanding spending priorities for the people not billionaires, in support of immigrant families and protecting the social safety net They joined a massive and peaceful crowd.

In New London, Ed Hawthorne, CT AFL-CIO president, said unions are the answer to the war on workers. Pointing to the dockyard across the Thames River, Hawthorne congratulated the UAW for standing up to Electric Boat, being ready to strike, and winning historic wage increases. This “bottom up” organizing was the way to build a better society.

3,000 people rallied under the Soldiers and Sailors Monument to tell Trump he is not a king, and say no to dictatorship and war. They want peace, democracy, and human rights. As the square filled, people stood across the street and high above in the parking garage.

Hung between two street lamps, a banner read “WE THE PEOPLE!” A young student read the Declaration of Independence citing the invasion of our cities, the lawless and violent attacks on our immigrant communities to say Donald Trump is more lawless than King George.

Rep. Courtney and Sen. Blumenthal decried Trump's reckless attacks on democracy. The audience thundered with applause when Blumenthal said he would hold the line to defend healthcare.  More than ever, it was important to remain united.

Food Service Workers Win a New Contract

 

Foodservice workers at Southern Connecticut State University and Central Connecticut are celebrating a major win after successfully ratifying a new union contract with Sodexo. The agreement, reached after intense negotiations, delivers substantial improvements in wages, benefits, and job protections.

Over the four-year life of the contract, workers will receive a total of $8.18 in wage increases. In addition to the pay bump, the deal includes access to union-sponsored health insurance, an upgraded dental plan, a pension, and strengthened job security provisions, marking a significant step forward for the campus’s foodservice team.

The path to this agreement wasn’t easy. Bargaining began early in the day and stretched late into the night, finally concluding around 2 a.m. when Southern and Central union stewards and representatives from Local 217 UNITE HERE reached a formal agreement with Sodexo’s leadership. The new contract sets the tone for labor relations at Southern for the next four years.

This is a historic victory for the Southern workers," said Steward Nicholas McDonald. "We faced down Sodexo and proved we won't back down, we fought for our dignity and respect and we won better wages and benefits for our future.”

This hard-fought victory is resonating beyond Southern’s campus. Foodservice workers at Western Connecticut State University, who are currently in their own contract talks with Sodexo, are drawing inspiration and momentum from Southern’s success. The newly ratified agreement signals that meaningful gains are within reach for other unionized Sodexo employees across the state.

Local 217 UNITE HERE praised the determination and solidarity of Southern’s workers, emphasizing that their persistence helped secure a contract that reflects their value and contributions to campus life. As negotiations continue at other Connecticut state universities, Southern’s breakthrough stands as a powerful example of what collective action can achieve.

Tenants Uphold Right to Organize at Sunset Ridge

 

New Haven, CT — Tenants from the Sunset Ridge Apartments spoke out at a press conference urging their corporate landlord, Capital Realty Group (CRG), to cease union-busting and intimidation tactics at the sprawling, 312-unit complex.

The Sunset Ridge Apartments are home to hundreds of New Haven residents, mostly workers not earning enough in wages to afford market-rate rentals. The complex is designated as low-income housing tax-credit property (LIHTC), so most tenants pay a slightly below-market rent but do not benefit from income-based rent subsidies.

April, who has lived in the complex for 21 years, took the mic to recall how beautiful it was when she first moved in, kid friendly and well maintained. Never was there a mouse or roach problem, she said, until five years ago when Capital took over. Now, pests are out of control. When her 93 year-old mother's apartment flooded repeatedly. Capital told her to move.

"Their answer to fix something is just move. At 93 years." exclaimed CT Tenants Union organizer Luke Melonakos.

Juan said his rent has kept going up, but repairs like replacing a carpet in bad condition, are not taken care of. “If they raise the rent they've got to fix it.” he declared.

Along with community allies, New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker stood in solidarity with the tenants seeking to organize a union, sending a message to Capital Realty Group that the right to organize is fundamental and in New Haven, it is still respected! In 2022 New Haven was the first city in Connecticut to adopt an ordinance establishing a process to recognize tenant unions.

Issues uniting the tenants include mice and roach infestations; widespread mold; water leaks and sewage problems; heat/hot water outages; repeated false claims of owed rent; and predatory towing without notice.

Like the recently organized union at Park Ridge Apartments, also owned by Capital Realty Group, some tenants receive rapid repairs while others are left for weeks or months with unsafe conditions. 

In escalating attempts to stop tenants from unionizing. Capitol Realty Group staff have: called the police on tenants speaking with their neighbors about forming a union. They have accused union organizers of “being with ICE” and blamed the widespread pest infestations on “tenants being dirty”. Two CT Tenants Union representatives visiting residents were served “no trespass notices” among many other acts of intimidation.

While banning CTTU organizers and journalists from speaking with the residents and creating an environment of surveillance and intimidation to discourage tenants from speaking with each other, Capital Realty Group has openly supported, encouraged, and funded (including a bouncy house and large meal) a so-called “Sunset Ridge Tenant Union.” This “tenant union” is run by an un-elected board that includes at least one confirmed CRG employee.

This attempt by a corporate landlord to establish a “company tenant union,” is from the playbook of corporate tactics used to bust labor unions and prevent workers from forming their own organization.

Despite the environment of intense repression, Sunset Ridge tenants are fighting back. They seek to join the nationwide movement of tenant unionization at CRG-owned properties in their fight for dignified housing. Renters in Detroit, Kansas City, Billings, and Louisville, and across town in New Haven, have already formed majority unions and are pushing for a bargaining process with the principles of CRG—Moshe Eichler and Sam Horowitz—over the deteriorating conditions of their homes.

Hannah Srajer, president of the tenants union, repeated that Capital Realty sends one message to tenants: Dont get together to solve your problems. She said very soon the union would enter its next organizing stage: Tenants getting their neighbors to sign union cards. "We support the drive until we go all the way. This will be the 8th union across country."

Peter Fousek, secretary treasurer of the union explained why we were out here.

“We are here,” said Peter Fousek, Secretary treasure of the union, “because tenants have to have one, two or three jobs, and work 70 hours per week to pay their rent, yet suffer health threats in their apartments.”

Despite the mice and roach problems the rent keeps going up. “We are here, he said, “to celebrate tenants fighting.”

When tenant union leaders met with the owner Moshe Eichler., he welcomed tenants negotiations and agreed to no retaliation to union tenant union organizers.

“He forgot what he promisedm” said Fousek. “We are here to remind him what he said. That means not following tenants. Not telling tenants who they can bring into their apartments, their friends, neighbors, or the press. Freedom of speech means we can talk. We are ready to take Eichler up on his offer for good faith negotiations.”

Faith, Labor and Community March Demands Immigrant Protections

 

[Hundreds of faith leaders and people of conscience marched from the Federal Building to the north side of the State Capitol on October 5 to demand Governor Lamont and state legislators call a special session and protect immigrant community members from the violence of ICE.

Organized by the Greater Hartford Immigration Action Alliance (GHIAA), they called for “safeguarding personal data, ensuring courthouse access, preventing indirect ICE support, and maintaining HUSKY coverage for all by ensuring that surplus revenue be invested in communities and not sent away as debt payments to Wall Street”

“ This is not the moment for our leaders to be silent. This is not the moment for our leaders to keep their heads down.” said Rev. Josh Pawelek, a member of the Unitarian Universalist Society East, CT for All, and the GHIAA Strategy Team..

“This is the moment for speaking truth to power. There are common sense policies ready to go that would make a meaningful difference in the safety of Connecticut’s immigrant communities, and we call on our leaders to pass them in a special session this fall,”

Kevin, a member of Make the Road CT emphasized that “Without medical coverage, my health could get worse — for me, this truly is the difference between life and death. Like many immigrants, I came here looking for a better future, and now I’m just fighting to stay alive and healthy.”

“Many essential workers are immigrants who came here seeking the same thing all of us want—a chance to work hard and live with dignity,” said Rochelle Palache, Vice President of 32BJ Connecticut, “These workers clean our schools, guard our buildings, and keep our communities running. It’s unconscionable that those who give so much to our state are treated as disposable. Protecting them isn’t just an act of compassion—it’s an act of justice.”

Demand for Special Session: Use $2 Billion Surplus for Human Needs

 

The demand for a special session of the state legislature in October grew on October 1 as union, faith and community leaders, joined by elected officials, spoke out at a press conference at the state capitol urging action be taken to invest the state's $2 billion surplus in human needs and to advance immigration protections.

Organized by Connecticut for All, the advocates stated. “As even more chaos and uncertainty unravels at the federal level, Connecticut’s elected officials have a choice.” calling on legislators to “ face this chaos boldly and timely, with a cohesive strategy that protects Connecticut's most vulnerable residents through protective policies and broad investment that leverages the billions found since June to safeguard communities.”

 

“Without urgent action, the advocates said, Connecticut families will face devastating consequences now: hundreds of thousands could lose health coverage or food assistance, school districts could see millions in federal education cuts, and higher education would become even less accessible as loan and grant restrictions take hold. “

“At the same time, healthcare costs for middle income families will continue to skyrocket, while wealthy donors benefit from private school voucher schemes that siphon public dollars away from our schools. By investing state resources directly into healthcare, child care, housing, and education legislators can shield our communities from these harmful federal rollbacks and ensure Connecticut families are not left behind.”

Tenants Union takes on Alpha Capital in Niantic

Tenants in Niantic at the Bay Point Apartments, formerly known as Windward Village, made history when they announced the formation of the Bay Point Tenant Union, representing 70% of the occupied units at the 60-unit apartment complex. Backed by the Connecticut Tenants Union, they are demanding collective bargaining with their landlord, Tyler Smith of Alpha Capital Funds. They were joined at the announcement by Sen Martha Marx, co-chair of the legislature’s Housing Committee, Rep Nick Menapace, and local supporters.

Tenants formed the union, the first of its kind in southeastern Connecticut. after more than a year of drastic rent hikes and deterioriating conditions since Smith’s takeover in 2024. Many of the residents, elderly longtime renters. were confronted with rent increases of $800 to $1000 a month.

They organized quickly, speaking out at town meetings, writing to legislators, and demanding action. Their pressure led to the establishment of the East Lyme Fair Rent Commission  in late 2024, a town of less then 20,000. With support from Connecticut Legal Aid, Connecticut Fair Housing Center, Step Up New London, New London Homeless Hospitality Center, and the Center for Housing Opportunity in Eastern Connecticut (CHO-EC), tenants brought forward many cases against Alpha.

In response the property was renamed “Bay Point” in 2025, but mold, broken appliances and unusable laundry facilities got worse. “Changing the name doesn’t change the reality,” said one tenant leader. “We are still living with poor conditions, unfair treatment, and rent hikes. That’s why we need a union.”

By forming a union, Bay Point residents are taking collective action to demand a seat at the table with Alpha Capital Funds, stable rents, safe living and accountability in property management.

In 2024, Alpha Capital’s owner, Tyler Smith, faced allegations of orchestrating false testimony at the State Capitol by directing employees to impersonate tenants during a hearing on the proposed Just Cause Eviction tenant protection bill.

Tenant leaders and advocates say this moment is bigger than one building. The Bay Point Tenant Union reflects a growing tenant movement across the state.

“WE CAN’T KEEP UP” 2000 Rally for Good Union Jobs and a Fully Funded City

 

NEW HAVEN—Chanting and holding black and white signs reading “We Can't Keep Up,” and

“One Job Should be Enough,” 2,000 members of UNITE HERE Locals 35, 34, and 33, New Haven Rising, and union and community allies marched to the Yale School of Medicine on Cedar Street.

The extraordinary solidarity set a tone of fight back in the midst of a vicious attack on labor underway from the White House and MAGA.

After meeting up on the New Haven Green in a spirited gathering filled with music, t-shirts and solidarity, the diverse marchers called on Yale University to pay good wages and contribute to New Haven, highlighting how Yale workers and New Haven residents are struggling in the post-pandemic cost of living crisis.

Contract negotiations are currently underway between UNITE HERE Locals 34 and 35 and Yale. Rally attendees called on the university to settle good contracts and contribute more to New Haven looking ahead to next year when its current voluntary contribution agreement in lieu of taxes expires. 

“We fought for a long time to make our jobs good jobs,” said Lisa Stevens, President of Local 34-UNITE HERE. “But what was enough before is not enough anymore. Since the pandemic, the skyrocketing cost of living has caused our members to lose their housing, fall into debt, and even cut back on heat and food,” she said noting “Yale has a $40 billion endowment, and its workers are going to food pantries.”

The rally which packed Cedar Street put up a great cheer when the graduate teachers in Local 33 who won their first contract last year made the dramatic announcement that a majority of post-docs, have now signed union cards, which would add 1400 more union members on campus..

Bob Proto, President of Local 35-UNITE HERE said “Our members are committed to settling a fair contract, supporting post-docs as they form their union, and standing with New Haven urging Yale to pay their fair share.” 

Getting a union job at Yale changed my life said Elidia Lezama, a member of Local 35-UNITE HERE service and maintenance workers. “Before I got a job at Yale, I worked multiple jobs and couldn’t count on regular hours. I had to figure out how to survive through pay periods where I made as little as $25 per week and in other weeks, I had to work so much that I was hardly able to see my kids.”

“Now,” she said, “since the pandemic, many of my co-workers are back to working multiple jobs and struggling to get by.” 

Raven Turquoise-Moon, a longtime member of clerical and technical workers Local 34-UNITE HERE said “I have an education, a job at the city’s largest employer, and yet buying a home in my neighborhood is out of reach.”

“I’m not alone.” she said. “Our members are getting priced out of New Haven because their rents have gone up by $300, $500, $800 dollars – and our wages haven’t caught up. I should be able to continue to do the work that I have done for 19 years to uphold Yale’s mission, a mission that I believe in, and buy a home here.”

Days before, a large picket of food service workers at Southern Connecticut State University, members of UNITE HERE Local 217 called on the subcontractor Sodexo to settle the contract they are neogiating. The night before marching from the Green to Cedar Street, the workers voted 98% in favor of going on strike if they have to.

Nick McDonald, Vice President of Local 217 and a food service worker at SCSU exclaimed “We, the Local 217 members who work at SCSU, CCSU and WCSU, are in the struggle just like our brothers and sisters at Yale. We aren’t going to give up until we get what we need.”

“We don’t want to escalate but we are sending a clear message to Sodexo and the Connecticut state universities: if we don’t get it, shut it down.” he concluded as the rally chanted with him.

The large crowd was inspired by Brandon Daley, a junior at Metropolitan Business Academy, who declared that youth are organizing in New Haven: “We’re fighting for all of us. For classrooms with the resources we deserve. For jobs that let our families thrive, not just survive. For a city where no student has to live in fear. For a future where young people have the opportunities to lead and succeed.” 

The students are supporting their teachers who were in the crowd as the New Haven Federation of Teachers organizes to win it's new contract with the Board of Education. Last year students walked out in support of fully funded schools.

Tonya Ricks, a member of Local 34- UNITE HERE, summed it all up when she said, “I stand before you to let you know: my salary is not keeping up! The price of everything is going up but my check is not making ends meet. We need better pay and we need more union members!” 

Dozens Pedal for Palestine

 

 Dozens of New Haveners cycled and spoke to draw public attention to the catastrophic destruction of life and civilian infrastructure in Gaza and the West Bank regions of Palestine. The cyclists navigated a 7 mile route through the streets of New Haven. Speakers at 6 stops along the way highlighted the effects on Palestinian civil society in the areas of education, water sovereignty, press freedom and safety, health care, food sovereignty, and access to the sea. At each of the stops, professionals spoke on the effects of apartheid and genocide in their areas of expertise.

The cycling event was organized by Jewish Voice for Peace New Haven.

 

In her remarks, Jewish Voice for Peace member Ellen Rubin said: “Gaza is now the global epicenter of child/family suffering: It has the highest number of orphans, amputees and trauma victims on Earth Over 700 attacks on Health facilities have left more than 96% of Gaza’s hospitals destroyed or damaged

*Healthcare and aid workers have been targeted, killed, detained w/o charge, tortured & even murdered while in prisons”

Tagan Engel and Jamilah Rasheed are two longtime New Haven food and land justice activists who work everyday to protect the fundamental rights of every single human being to have food, clean water, and self determination. They together asked “Can you imagine if 4 times the population of New Haven were literally dying from starvation right now, and all the people in bordering towns had nothing to eat or drink for days on end - all while food and water could easily be brought in from Milford, Cheshire and Branford if the occupying government would allow it?”

The Narrative Project founder and CEO Mercy Quaye spoke to the need for activists to continue speaking truth to counter the silence and misinformation that is so prevalent in American mainstream media in reporting about Palestine.

We call on our members of Congress to sign on to H.R.3565, known as the Stop Arming Israel bill. To date, the legislation has 49 co-sponsors, but none in Connecticut. All of our members must support this critical legislation.

CCAG Demands Health Access be Protected for All

 

If Congress does not act by November 1 to extend enhanced premium tax credits, one third of the people buying insurance on Connecticut's Access Health CT exchange will be forced off, unable to afford health insurance.

At a Hartford press conference with Connecticut Citizens Action Group about HR1, Sen. Richard said the bill, is "Trumpian - cruel and stupid. Cruel in denying people care, and stupid, in making everyone and the system less effective."

"Our entire healthcare system is collapsing under its own weight," said Health Care Advocate Kathleen Holt. When the number of uninsured skyrockets, we will all pay more - and they will resort to emergency rooms for care.

Most of the people whose rates will skyrocket have no idea this is coming, or what is causing it.

"Who can afford these increases?" CCAG's Tom Swan asked. "The very rich people who also got Trump's tax cuts.”

"The cruelty in this bill doesn't just happen in December," he added. "Many of the changes to Medicaid don't go into effect until after the 2026 midterms.

"The Republicans and Donald Trump don't care if people go without care and die....Senator Blumenthal called this policy stupid; I think it's evil. The cruelty is the point. We will do everything in our power to protect access to care for all people."

Medical costs are responsible for most bankruptcies and for people losing their homes, Blumenthal said. "Healthcare costs are rising astronomically, aggravated by the cruel and stupid policies coming out of Washington DC."

CCAG and allies are calling on Governor Lamont and lawmakers to convene a special session of the Legislatione and reject the cruel Trump budget cuts.

Food Service Workers Picket for a Fair Contract and No Strikebreakers on CT State University Campuses

NEW HAVEN, CT—September 17, 2025—Union members and allies rallied on Southern Connecticut State University’s campus to demand a fair contract for Sodexo workers at CT State University campuses. In addition, workers called on university leadership to advocate for a peaceful resolution and forbid all strike-breaking tactics from CT State University campuses.  

At the rally Nicholas McDonald, a food service worker at SCSU, emphasized the hardship he and his co-workers are facing. ““I’ve been talking to my coworkers. We’re all talking about how times are hard and we need a fair contract,” he said. “We’re in this fight and we’re not going to back down, because this is about survival.”

Joshua Stanley, Secretary Treasurer of Local 217, framed the struggle within a broader national conversation about economic inequality. “It is food service workers like those at CCSU and SCSU who are saying enough is enough, we need a fair contract now.” He urged Sodexo to consider the quality of life for its workers.

A huge inflated Scabby the Rat caught students' attention and some took photos after learning about the contract fight of the food service workers who make their meals. Three huge billboards with photos of all the workers were headlined, “We Don't Want to Strike But We Will.”

After rallying in front of Connecticut Hall with union allies, New Haven Rising and elected officials the picket moved across campus for a second rally.

Two hundred and eighty UNITE HERE Local 217 food service workers at SCSU, CCSU, and WCSU have been negotiating a new contract with their employer, Sodexo, since March. The $9 billion multinational company is refusing to meet the workers’ demands of a real living wage and negotiations for a fair contract have stalled.

As a result of these stalled negotiations, hundreds of Local 217 food service workers picketed Sodexo on CCSU’s campus in August to demand a fair contract. Workers and allies sent nearly 1,700 letters to university leadership calling on them to support the workers’ demands for a fair contract. And democratic leaders from around the state reached out to university leadership urging resolution of the labor dispute.

Instead of encouraging a peaceful resolution to the labor dispute on campus, after the August picket university leadership publicly endorsed the company’s “contingency plans” in the event that the company forces the workers out on strike. Endorsing strikebreaking tactics such as the use of replacement workers and meal tickets for outside venues and food trucks encourage a disruptive and wasteful labor conflict instead of resolving it.  

 
Democratic elected officials from around the state have already urged the company to work towards a fair contract and encouraged the university leadership to support the workers.

Governor Ned Lamont and Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz attended the picket at SCSU saying “UNITE HERE has always stood up for workers’ rights, dignity, better wages and benefits at the University of New Haven, the Omni Hotel, the Hyatt and more—and from picket lines to rallies, we’ve fought alongside them.”

The went on to say, “ We support the members of UNITE HERE Local 217, who provide quality food service to our university campuses and ask Sodexo to step up and negotiate in good faith. These workers have kept our campuses running during challenging times, ensured students and faculty had access to food and now are simply asking for living wages that catch up with inflation. Let’s get this deal done.” 

Senate President Pro Temp;ore Martin Looney also joined the picket at SCSU. Standing firm for the rights of the workers he said, “Public universities must never endorse strike-breaking tactics that will protract a dispute that would damage the academic community and divide our campuses. Especially when the dispute is between a multibillion-dollar company and workers who pay taxes that fund the universities and live in the university communities,”  

“The universities need to be clear with Sodexo that the only solution to end this labor crisis is to bargain a fair contract with Local 217.” Looney saaid.

Nick McDonald, a food service worker at Southern said, “I’ve been talking to my coworkers. We're all talking about how times are hard and we need a fair contract. We’re in this fight and we’re not going to back down, because this is about survival.”  

“We are sending two messages today,” said Stanley. “First, we want to get this done, but if the company is not ready to do that, we are setting strike votes. Second, public university leadership in Connecticut must take positions in line with the Democratic Party and basic respect for workers by saying no scabs on campus. Saying yes to plans for strikebreakers is not only going against moral principles, it makes a prolonged labor conflict more likely.”  

As negotiations remain at a deadlock, the food service workers are not backing down. They continue to rally for a contract that provides a living wage and better working conditions, asserting their fight is about survival and economic justice.

SCSU food service employees are scheduled to vote on whether to authorize a strike on September 24, 2025.

AFT President Visits New Haven Schools Amid Trump Funding Threats

Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers came to New Haven to visit The Sound School and Truman School, showcasing nation-leading career and technical education initiatives under threat of being defunded by President Trump and House Republicans. Their fiscal 2026 budget bill plans to cut $12 billion out of federal education funding as the administration plans to abolish the education department.

The leader of the 1.8-million-member union visited the Pre K-8 Truman School that receives significant support from federal Title I grants which assist students from low income families. In Loles Gomez's fifth grade class Weingarten joined in a bilingual game of musical chairs.

The school features teacher-led lessons with online platforms and iPads, Chromebooks, and interactive projectors, bilingual programs and wraparound services, including a school-based medical clinic and donation closet with clothing for families in need.

Weingarten’s second stop highlighted the work of The Sound School, an interdistrict aquaculture and agriculture science and technology education center (ASTE) designed specifically for aquaculture and marine trades. The Sound School is the first full-time ASTE center in the state focused on these fields, and is a hands-on, career-oriented high school, blending college-prep with strong vocational training.

Leslie Blatteau, president of the New Haven Federation of Teachers, and State Senator and AFT Connecticut President Jan Hochadel highlighted the threatened programs, which help students thrive and secure jobs and further study in teaching, medicine, dentistry, veterinary sciences, sports and alternative medicine, nutrition, culinary arts, hospitality and more.

“There’s a lot of struggle going on right now and we still are so very much committed to the work of our public school educators and union members and to the promise of public education in this city and this state,” Blatteau said.

“NHFT is proud to recognize all of our members who consistently go above and beyond for New Haven students, families, and community as we fight for the world class public schools that our students deserve.,” she added.