“We Will Not Go Back”

After decades of organizing, a huge victory was won in Connecticut this year with passage of the bill outlawing companies from requiring workers to attend “captive audience” meetings. This company tactic is aimed at scaring off union organizing drives and a collective voice for workers.

Now, just days before the crucial 2022 elections, the US Chamber of Commerce has filed a lawsuit in an attempt to overturn the captive audience law.

“This law simply helps level the playing field for working people in Connecticut and we will not go back,” said Ed Hawthorne president of the Connecticut AFL-CIO.

“Without this law, workers seeking to form a union would again be frequently subjected to coercive captive audience meetings. These are mandatory, closed-door meetings during work hours where workers are often threatened and harassed about their union support,” he explained.

The Chamber of Commerce action underscores the importance of a large voter turnout to uphold democratic rights.

It was the leadership of worker champions elected to the State Legislative in recent years that enabled passage of the captive audience bill. More candidates representing the voice of workers are now seeking election. .

Across the country, the November 8 elections present a choice: Will democratic rights and voting rights be destroyed or will they be protected and expanded?

Voter turnout will determine the results of this election, especially in close races like the Fifth Congressional District where corporate interests whose profits have soared are challenging the outstanding record of Jahana Hayes who has delivered on behalf of all working class people.

The captive audience bill, abortion rights, affirmative action, Social Security, prescription drug costs, climate justice and the right to vote are all at stake.

As well, early voting is on the ballot in Connecticut. A dozen major civil rights and racial justice organizations urge a “yes” vote on the ballot question to allow the legislature to amend the state constitution and include early voting “to improve access to the democratic process for everyone.”

They say it will “reduce the unfair impact of transportation barriers, long lines, and inflexible work schedules, which can make voting on Election Day harder for voters of color,” and “help to level the playing field for voters employed in hourly-wage sectors, where workers often have less control over their schedules and may not have access to paid time off.”