People's World Amistad Awards Set for Dec 10

Excitement is building for the December 10 People's World Amistad Awards as demands for dignity, respect and workers' rights grow in Connecticut and across the country. Themed “Rise Up! Time to be the leers of Today – Seize the Moment and the Future is Ours” the awards will honor three grass roots leaders and organizers, Mustafa Salahuddin, Leslie Blatteau and Salwa Mogaddedi.

Mustafa Salahuddin, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1336, is a labor and climate justice activist and leader. He was elected president of his local nine years ago, and has worked tirelessly to fight for fair wages, retirement benefits and improved working conditions for the betterment of the 466 mechanics, transit/para-transit operators, school bus drivers, dispatchers and service workers. Mustafa's focus is towards renewable energy that will impact transit workers and the planet now and in the future.

Leslie Blatteau is completing her first year as president of the New Haven Federation of Teachers addressing teacher retention, well being, working conditions and learning conditions during a period of unprecedented educator vacancies. The union just ratified a strong contract securing historic raises and ensuring their seat at the table. Leslie prioritizes member engagement and activism, as well as partnership with students, parents, and families, toward building a coalition to fight for the schools their communities deserve. As a high school teacher. Leslie strived to create an anti-racist and student-centered classroom.

Salwa Mogaddedi is an Afghan-American woman and labor organizer, born and raised in California to refugee parents. As a result of her upbringing, and the experiences of her parents and family, she has always been passionate in the fight for human and labor rights. As a Starbucks barista. She and her co-workers organized against the unfair and unsafe working conditions in their workplace and won a union recognition election in July.  When Salwa was diagnosed and fighting cancer, she remained one of the key union organizers and worked tirelessly to help her workplace gain union representation.

 

The event will also pay special recognition to Brian Steinberg who has built the readership of People's World as an organizing tool in Hartford and Connecticut for many years.

The Starbucks workers and graduate teachers in Local 33 Unite Here at Yale who are voting for union recognition this week will receive solidarity support during the event.

A performance by renowned vibraphonist and jazz composer Jay Hoggard will complete the program.

The Awards are dedicated to Art Perlo, whose living legacy carries on in the struggle for transformational change to put people, peace and planet before profits.

The event will be held at the historic Dixwell Q House, 197 Dixwell Avenue in New Haven on Saturday, December 10 at 4 pm. Tickets are $10. Scholarship tickets are available. For advance tickets visit https://actionnetwork.org/ticketed_events/2022-amistad-awards . For more information messages can be left at 203-524-8664.