Rep. Jahana Hayes Wins Support of Union Retirees

Rep. Jahana Hayes (CD-5) had to wipe away her tears at the Connecticut Alliance for Retired Americans convention, after accepting the Charlene Block award and receiving the national and state organization's endorsement for her 100 percent voting record. The tears came, she explained, because everything she does is to make her grandmother proud.

Hayes won the hearts of the union retirees in the packed room at AFSCME Council 4 in New Britain when she told her story of being raised with her brother by her grandmother in Waterbury. She remembered the anxiety on the third of each month looking for the Social Security check in the mail in order to pay the bills.

“I know what it means to worry about how to cover the rent or mortgage and put food on the table. I understand how policy affects people,” she said warning, “All the Republican proposals cut Social Security and Medicare.”

“We're not asking for anything we didn't earn,” said Hayes to applause, “these are not entitlements.”

An ARA Report card presented by national director Rich Fiesta, emphasized Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Healthcare, Pensions and other issues on the Republican chopping block.

When one delegate asked about Medicare Advantage, which allows pharmacies and insurance companies to override doctors, Hayes immediately responded to loud applause, “I am against privatization of Medicare, because it was never set up for profit.”

Describing the Fifth Congressional District, often a battleground, Hayes said the 41 towns include more elite boarding schools than any district in the nation, and also include four of the top ten failing school districts in the country. “I am committed to close these gaps,” Hates said. “Every family should know that their child is getting a good education, and be able to afford to live in the counties where they work.”

“My grandmother impressed upon me the wisdom of our elders. I want to make sure to create a world where people can retire with dignity,” she said adding that if the cap on Social Security taxes for top earners were lifted there would be financial security into the future.

The union retirees left enthusiastic to get a big voter turnout from their members to protect all that is at stake and support the work of Rep Jahana Hayes and others like her.

Hartford Courant Reporters Win First Union Contract; People's World Celebrates 100 years

 

After five years of negotiations, reporters at the Hartford Courant and seven other Tribune publications have ratified an historic first union contract with hedge fund owner Alden Global Capital.

Following years of a dwindling newsroom and devastating cuts, newsroom employees voted in February 2019 to join together and form a union.

“When we created The Hartford Courant Guild over five years ago, it was in part to help ensure that the oldest continuously published newspaper in the United States continues to function,” said Christopher Keating, co-chair of the 21 member unit.

The joint bargaining committee, involving 62 NewsGuild members, secured a two-year contract that guarantees raises, a grievance and arbitration process, social media protections, maintaining the 401(k) match, and increased job security.

“Our first union contract at The Hartford Courant is historic,” said Lori Riley, the unit co-chair. “It’s a testament to our determination and grit to foster a workplace that values transparency, fairness, and the pursuit of truth above all else.”

The Hartford Courant and other Tribune publications were sold to the hedge fund Alden Global Capital in 2021.

A Centennial of Working Class Journalism

In contrast, as mainstream media continues to consolidate in the hands of hedge fund managers, the pioneer grassroots People's World is expanding in readership and coverage as it celebrates its 100^th year of working class journalism. Since 1924 the paper, originally named the Daily Worker, has never missed an issue.

“The first front page of the Daily Worker said ‘Big business interests, merchant princes, landlords, and profiteers should fear us,” recalled editor-in-chief John Wojcik.

“We always stand on the side of the struggle of the working class,” said Wojcik, a former meat cutter and UFCW shop steward. “That’s one thing that does not change.”

“One of the strongest weapons the ruling class possesses is its control of the press,” added managing editor C.J. Atkins. “A hundred years ago, a group of radical workers and Marxist writers decided to break that monopoly” and start a paper “based on a truth that could not be found in any of the newspapers at that time.”

It became a tool for the working class, providing “an alternative to capitalism” and campaigning for workers and their causes, organizing against fascism and war, and defending democracy over the decades as it does today.

As Lamont Vetoes Aid to Striking Workers, Union Vow to Organize

 When workers vote to go on strike, it is their last resort against an employer who refuses to bargain in good faith with the union for wages, benefits and respect.

This year the Connecticut AFL-CIO made it a priority to include striking workers in unemployment compensation benefits. They were taking a lead from New Jersey and New York who already allow striking workers to receive unemployment insurance, thereby leveling the playing field for the courageous workers standing up for their rights and livelihood..

HB 5431, which would set up a special $3 million fund that workers could draw upon to help pay basic necessities if they are forced on strike, passed the legislature this session but Governor Ned Lamont vowed to veto it.

Last week that's exactly what he did – deny emergency assistance to help workers forced on strike pay their bills. It is up to the Legislature to pass that bill again in the next session.

The veto is especially disgraceful in light of the growing inequality since the pandemic which saw the profits of large corporations explode while poverty for the majority has risen.

“Gov. Lamont has failed to hear the voices of thousands of working people who urged him to stand with striking workers,” said Ed Hawthorne, president of the Connecticut AFL CIO . “The Governor had a choice – stand with corporate CEOs or stand with working people. Unfortunately, he chose corporate CEOs.”

Hawthorne went on to say, “This legislation would have given countless private sector workers a fair shot to negotiate a living wage and affordable benefits,” pointing out that nine other states are considering similar legislation.

Connecticut State Council of Machinists president Patrick Buzzee said their 10,000 active and retired members “are very disappointed that Gov. Lamont vetoed this Legislation after being pressured by corporate executives.”

“Just like they do at the bargaining table, corporations made threats and leveraged their resources to try to get their way. As a union who has seen this playbook before, we know how to stand up for working people facing off with a multi-billion-dollar company,” said Buzzee, adding,“This isn’t the end, though. Our members worked tirelessly to get this legislation passed and we will continue to fight for our members and all working people across Connecticut.”