Labor Honors Connecticut Workers Who Lost Their Lives on the Job

 

At noon on Monday, April 28 workers, elected officials, and students gathered at the Workers Memorial in Bushnell Park for the annual Workers Memorial Day ceremony honoring workers who have died or suffered illness or injuries on the job.

In Connecticut, 33 workers lost their lives to work-related injuries in 2023, the latest data available. An additional 31,000 workers suffered on-the-job injuries or illnesses.

According to the AFL-CIO’s annual report, Death on the Job: The Toll of Neglect, 5,283 workers nationally were killed on the job and an estimated 135,000 workers died from occupational diseases in 2023.

That means 385 workers died each day due to job-related injuries and illnesses.

“We are in the fight of our lives to retain health and safety standards throughout our country,” said Kyle Zimmer, co-chair of the Connecticut AFL-CO’s Health & Safety Committee. “It doesn’t matter if you’re in construction, general industry, healthcare or municipal workers. Everyone is affected by the cuts.”

Worker safety and union density “go hand in hand,” said Connecticut AFL-CIO president Ed Hawthorne. Connecticut has the third lowest worker fatality rate and the fourth highest union density in the country.

In accepting her Health and Safety Legislative Award State Senator Martha Marx recounted that, as a union member and working nurse, she has a deeper perspective. She leads the fight for legislation to protect visiting nurses like herself, following the recent killing of a nurse on the job.

“I am the rank and file,” she said. “Rank and file needs to be at the table.” Referring to the quote on the stone monument by Mother Jones, “mourn for the dead but fight like hell for the living,” she said “I have a little bit of Mother Jones in me.”

The ceremony concluded with a bell toll for each lost worker as their name was read. A delegation from the executive board of the Connecticut AFL-CIO then went into the Capitol to deliver a letter to Governor Ned Lamont in favor of SB 8 that would allow workers to receive unemployment insurance after two weeks on strike.

May Day Rallies and March Build Solidarity and Resistance

A Connecticut labor-community-immigrant coalition is mobilizing for a powerful resistance May Day with a march and event on May 1 and a rally on May 3. They celebrate International Workers Day and honor the strength and resilience of workers everywhere.

The May 1 actions will take place at 11 am in Hartford's Bushnell Park sponsored by Make the Road and at 5 pm at the New Haven Green where a statewide march will include many labor, immigrant rights and community organizations.

On May 3 the annual People's World May Day Rally will be held at 267 Chapel St (entrance from parking lot in back on Saltonstall Ave) themed We are Many They are Few. Stop the Billionaire Coup. Spanish interpretation will be available.

The events on May 1 are part of a national day of action being organized in many states uniting working class organizations in ongoing solidarity for union rights, civil rights, human needs and a liveable climate.

The Connecticut call says “Join us as we march to protect our country from the billionaire class and demand transformation and investment in our communities. Together, we will resist and unite to build a better world and a better Connecticut. By taking to the streets on May Day and continuing our efforts in the weeks and months ahead, we will strengthen our resistance.”

The People's World rally on May 3 will include a welcome from youth organizers of the May 1 march along with convenors Leslie Blatteau and Rev. Scott Marks. The program will include a slide show of May Day Around the World. Songs of resistance will be led by Scottieca Marks, Teresa Quintana and Brian Jarawa Gray. Demands for the future will highlight a few of the urgent actions at the state and federal level.

An ebook will be rolled out on the occasion of the 40^th anniversry of Local 34 Unite Here clerical and technical workers union at Yale containing all the People's World stories about that battle written during the 40 years.

Contributions to People's World will be accepted.

WORKERS RALLY AT CAPITOL, DEMAND PASSAGE OF SENATE BILL 8 TO RESIST BILLIONAIRE AGENDA

 

HARTFORD, CT – April 19, 2025 – Union members and supporters rallied outside the Connecticut State Capitol Building on April 19, demanding passage of Senate Bill 8 (SB 8), legislation aimed at supporting workers in contract negotiations amid federal attacks on workers’ rights. 

The rally, sponsored by UNITE HERE Connecticut, highlighted the growing disparity between the wealthy and the working class. Speakers addressed the need for SB 8 to help workers achieve a life of dignity and security. 

“We were here today to push for a working class agenda against a billionaire agenda,” declared Josh Stanley, Local 217–UNITE HERE Secretary-Treasurer. “The working class is under attack from billionaires. Years of inflation and now fears of a recession have put working people in jeopardy—while the dismantling of the National Labor Relations Board and the growing influence of the wealthiest people on earth have meant that bosses are more emboldened than ever.” 

SB 8 would allow striking workers to access unemployment insurance after two weeks on strike, a crucial support system that would level the playing field during labor disputes. The bill is similar to legislation already in force in New York and New Jersey, and pending in 13 other states. 

“I need SB8 because I need the security of a good contract for my children,” stated Carly Ortiz, a food service worker at Southern Connecticut State University and mother of three. “I know SB 8 will help us keep stability during these turbulent times.” 

Jose Sanchez, a food service worker at Trinity College, said “I’m here to champion SB8 because I see family members and co-workers working three or four jobs to make ends meet, while the billion-dollar companies and their owners get richer and richer. We need to pass S B8 so we can even the playing field and get back to a life of dignity.” 

Samantha Cedeno, a food service worker at Central Connecticut State University and mother of five, spoke about her children: “Why should I have to choose between drowning and fighting for what’s right while billionaires in this country get to do whatever they want? What makes my family less important than theirs?” 

The rally served as a powerful demonstration of solidarity and a demand for economic justice. 

“This is a bill for equality and dignity,” Stanley added. “And it comes at a cheap price for the state. Think about this – if it had been law for the past four years, it would only have cost the state $232,000 a year. The result would be progress toward a fairer state economy. Those who oppose this bill are not opposed to it because it costs too much. They are opposed because they don’t want things to be remotely fair – they want all the power on one side. All that has led to is growing inequality. We need a change across Connecticut and across this country.” 

Billions in Profits, Cuts for Workers: UAW Demands Fair Contract at Electric Boat

 

"Tick tock."  That was the message the 2,500 MDA-UAW Local 571 members sent directly to the profitable corporation General Dynamics Electric Boat.  Earlier that day, the membership voted on whether to authorize a strike.  The votes were being counted in the back room. 

With over 1,200 members packing the hall, the message from union president Bob Louis and the response from members was clear - members are disgusted by the corporation's refusal to bargain collaboratively.  Despite being flush with over $13.3 billion in profits over the last three years, the company is crying poverty.  Pensions for all?  The company claimed this $2.5 million cost would cripple the business and would not be possible.  Profit sharing?  The company claimed this would dig into the $7.5 billion in shareholder buy-backs that the company has taken from the workers since 2022 and could not happen.  Cost-of-living increases?  No.  Equal leave time for all workers?  No.  The "best and final offer" for the workers is paying 26% more for healthcare and step increases that no current worker would be eligible for for over 5 years.

Before Bob could finish his remarks, the vote tally was rushed onto the stage:  over 65% of members voted to authorize a strike.  At any moment the Union's negotiation committee could call for a work stoppage.  MDA-UAW Local 571's members occupy critical positions at every stage of the ship building process.  The chemists who make sure enclosed areas of ships are safe for other works can now go on strike.  The technicians who set the lasers on the yard that map out where massive steel parts must be lowered and secured into place by other workers can now go on strike.  The list goes on and on.  Bob asked members if management could do their job.  The rancorous response from members made it clear that the answer was a clear hell no.  A strike of these workers would grind production on the dock yards to an absolute standstill. 

When UAW President Shawn Fain took to the podium he recapped the numbers that the negotiations committee had detailed.  General Dynamics is a federal contractor with no competition.  Over the last three years they have made $13.3 billion in profits, gave $7.5 billion to the shareholders, spent $188 million on executive pay, and paid their CEO $67.6 million.  For 125 years, union workers have been building ships in New London and Groton.

But, despite this flood of working class value, the company wants concessions from the union.  They want the union to gladly agree to pay more for healthcare, to have a tiered system that stiffs new-hires from access to leave time, that bucks industry standards for COLA increases and profit sharing.  In short, the company wants the union "too old to work and too young to die."  Fain was adamant:  the UAW does not deal in concession bargaining.

Fain shared that the work being down by Local 571 is building off the incredible work of the Stand Up strike at the Big Three auto manufacturers.  Fain also shared that the fight being waged by the union on the yard floor is being closely watched by other builders, specifically builders in Maine who are fighting for their fair contract, but also by other unions more close to home, like the Wellesley College union of non-tenure-track faculty who's been out on strike in Massachusetts since March 27. 

The work stoppage, he shared, is the most powerful tool in the working class arsenal.  When work stops, the world stops.  As this was being explained, the energy in the hall - full of men and women, young workers and retirees, began to swell, breaking out into colorful language for management and the shareholders.  The company claims it can weather a strike for 6 months with its contingency plans.  The members laughed.

He continued, saying that the company thinks time is on their side.  But when a UAW local votes for a strike, time is out for the company, the clock is ticking.  The clock is ticking on corporate greed.

The marine draftsmen are not alone. Across Connecticut workers are voting to go on strike if the company does not offer wages, healthcare, pensions, and job security.

The 2025 IAM workers at Pratt-Whitney seeking job security voted by 99% to authorize a strike if a new contract isn't approved by May 4 when their current agreement expires. The 1400 CWA workers at Frontier whose contract has expired voted by 95% to authorize a strike if necessary as negotiations continue. There is the possibility SEIU 1199NE nursing home workers may strike in the spring as they negotiate for living wages.

Ongoing strikes include Teamsters at iHealth who remain on strike for a first contract since December 2024, and Ironworkers at Jesscraft in Oxford who have been on strike since April 7 for union recognition.

Wealthy corporations feel empowered by the White House vicious attacks on union rights. The strike line raises working class consciousness for those on strike, and also for the community. These workers are standing up against entitled corporations and objectively they are standing up against the MAGA agenda.

Tax Day Message: Fund People's Needs not Billionaires

 

As increasing wealth inequality makes it harder and harder for working class families to make ends meet, pressure is building at the state legislature to enact measures that increase spending on people's needs and gain revenue by taxing the rich.

The Legislature's Tax Equity Caucus addressed these needs at a press conference followed by a march with the Connecticut for All coalition to the Office of Policy and Management to make their point on Tax Day.

The Tax Equity Caucus initiated by Rep. Josh Elliot, aimed to inform the public and make sure that the leadership in the legislature is strong in their negotiations with Governor Ned Lamont, who has consistently opposed taxing wealth.

The Caucus stressed the need for comprehensive tax reform that holds the wealthiest individuals and large corporations accountable, insisting on policy changes that prioritize fairness, address growing economic disparities and send a clear message: it’s time for a tax system that works for everyone.

“Working families pay more than 30% of their income on rent and almost 40% of their income in taxes, while the top income tax bracket pays only 7.3% of their money in taxes,” explained Constanza Segovia, Organizing Director for Connecticut For All, “And then we have corporations like Amazon, the largest company in the world, with reported profits of over $10 billion in 2018 and an effective tax rate of -1%.”

Connecticut Citizens Action Group (CCAG) joined in the press conference and the march for tax equity that followed. CCAG and Americans for Tax Fairness (ATF) released a report that morning showing that the collective fortune of Connecticut’s 14 billionaires has grown by $33 billion, or 61%, since the Trump-GOP tax law was enacted in 2017. 

As Human Service Committee co-chairs Jillian Gilchrest and Matt Lesser pointed out in the report, “extending Trump’s tax breaks for oligarchs is doubly offensive because it means cutting critical healthcare and services for working families.”

Families in the top 5%, who make more than $320,000 a year, are the ones who will benefit from extending the 2017 federal tax cuts according to the Center on Budget Policies and Priorities.

The Trump-Republican Congress is seeking $880 billion in federal budget cuts to help pay for it, requiring that funds be slashed for Medicaid, special education, food stamps and other programs.

“We have ultra-wealthy residents who don’t just have the ability, but the responsibility, to pay their fair share of taxes,” said State Senator Gary Winfield, “Even if we didn’t have the threat from the Trump Administration, we would still have people outside of the Capitol demanding more because they are drowning and it’s our state policies that are failing them.”

The previous week, before a crowd of more than 800 residents gathered at Immanuel Congregational Church in Hartford, House Speaker Matt Ritter announced that legislative leaders are moving to suspend Connecticut’s restrictive fiscal guardrails.

The event, hosted by the Greater Hartford Interfaith Action Alliance (GHIAA) and Connecticut For All (CTFA), brought together faith, labor, and community leaders to demand bold public investments in education, housing, healthcare, and infrastructure—and to push back against the artificial austerity imposed by outdated budget constraints. This  announcement marked a major turning point in the fight for equitable investment in communities across the state, but is only a part of the solution that Connecticut needs.

Speaker Ritter’s commitment follows months of sustained grassroots advocacy and organizing led by CTFA and GHIAA, and their allies. While this development signals meaningful momentum, advocates emphasized that it must be the beginning—not the end—of bold fiscal action. With more than $2 billion in urgent needs across the state, residents cannot afford a “wait and see” approach. Suspending the guardrails is a critical step, but it must be followed by real investment in the programs and services that strengthen Connecticut’s communities.

“One job is no longer enough,” said Johannah Alabi, SEIU 1199 New England member and Certified Nursing Assistant at Avery Heights and Governor’s House, “I now work two full-time jobs, over 80 hours a week, just to make ends meet. Eighty hours a week, I work every single day. This was not my reality before, or even during the pandemic. Back then, my paycheck was enough to support my family. But now? My paycheck is not going as far as before, and I struggle to support my family. Five years later, we have become forgotten.”

“These services have been important to me and are vital to thousands of youth across the state,” said Elijah Hechevarria, a Youth Leader from Our Piece of the Pie and student at Manchester Community College, studying Social Work, “My life has transformed with OPP. Every youth at OPP has the opportunity to achieve their goals. Programs like this change young people’s lives.”

Calling for urgent action at the Tax Equity Caucus press conference Rep Josh Elliot emphasized “Our state cannot begin to address the crisis of need plaguing our communities without addressing our upside down tax structure. And despite the resounding popularity of tax fairness, Connecticut continues to give the ultra-wealthy a free pass while our working families are collapsing under the pressure. We must enact smart policies that support our investment needs through stable and equitable revenue streams.”

Seniors Rally in New London to Protect Social Security

 

Over 100 Seniors and union members responded to a call from U.S. Representative Joe Courtney to join a rally to protect Social Security. The rally, held in New London on April 15 aimed “to protect people’s Social Security benefits and a call to action against the Trump Administration’s actions impacting Social Security workers.”

The spirited crowd was not fazed by rainy weather when listening to comments by Representative Courtney and Mary Elia, CT Alliance for Retired Americans. They also held numerous signs calling for Hands Off Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security; Protect Workers Rights; and Protect Our Democracy. Numerous drivers passing by honked their horns in support.

This rally is just one of many public actions recently in Southeastern Connecticut addressing everyday concerns as well as defending democracy against Trump and the MAGA Right.

Hundreds of workers, members of the Marine Draftsmen’s Association/UAW,rallied outside Electric Boat Corporation in Groton, demanding that the company bargain in good faith for a new contract. The MDA/UAW members later responded to Electric Boat’s refusal to hold contract negotiations by voting to go on strike if necessary.

Two Hands Off Democracy! Rallies on April 5 th saw over a thousand participants in New London and 300 in Niantic. Adding to the on-going struggles, health care workers and their unions are fighting back against corporate healthcare systems plans to cut back services and jobs in Eastern Connecticut including eliminating visiting nurse service to home bound patients.

The Protect Social Security rally is an important part of the developing movements aimed at protecting people’s day-to-day lives and democratic rights.

Boycott Avelo: End ICE Deportation Flights

The shocking news that Avelo airlines in East Haven signed a contract with ICE for deportation flights brought urgent demands to Andrew Levy, Avelo’s CEO, that the company stop or else lose customers and state financial support.

“Making money off of dehumanizing people isn’t good business. It’s despicable.” said the New Haven Immigrant Coalition. In one week, more than 32,000 supporters signed an on-line pledge to boycott Avelo until they cancel ICE flights.

Reports indicate passengers are shackled at their hands and feet. Flight attendants are told not to make eye contact. Pilots and guards have told flight attendants that in case of emergency, evacuate guards but there is no plan to evacuate shackled passengers.

The Mayor of New Haven, Governor and Attorney General have spoken out and an investigation of public finds is underway. Supporters are rallying in large numbers at Tweed Airport in New Haven, and at other Avelo hub regions.

“Together, we can show corporations motivated entirely by greed that we won’t be silent in the face of their complicity. We won’t pay for their services while they profit from transporting shackled people to prisons in countries known for their human rights abuses.,” said the Coalition.

In related actions, demands grow to release Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, sheetmetal worker and father, to the United States after being mistakenly deported to a high security prison in El Salvador. .

Gwen Mills, president of Unite Here said “Both a federal judge and the Supreme Court have ordered the White House to facilitate Abrego Garcia’s return home, but the Administration is arguing they can’t return him because he is in Salvadoran custody. The International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) is leading the call for his return. Tens of thousands of UNITE HERE members are immigrants like Abrego Garcia. We work hard every day to support our families and expect our fundamental rights to be respected.”

Mills urged calls to members of Congress asking they publicly call on the White House to return Abrego Gardia to his family.

Hands Off! Rallying for our Future in Connecticut

Hands Off rallies on April 5 brought millions of people across the country into the streets to demand a stop to illegal cuts to social programs, public worker firings, deportations with no due process, environmental devastation, trade wars and more by the billionaire Trump-Musk fascist-minded regine.

In Connecticut, about 15,000 people in 24 towns marched and rallied in record numbers on April 5. Organizing is now underway for upcoming mobilizations on April 19 in Hartford to support SB 8 unemployment insurance for striking workers and on May 1 in Hartford at 10:30 am at Bushnell Park and New Haven at 5 pm on the New Haven Green for May Day International Workers Day.

NEW HAVEN

On April 5, three thousand workers, retirees, comrades and activists united on the downtown New Haven Green with New Haven Indivisible joined by allies of the New Haven Rising coalition and leadership from the New Haven Federation of Teachers and community and local labor unions members, and first time rally-goers to deliver a powerful message to Elon Musk and President Trump: 'Hands Off!' Hands off our Social Security. Hands off our public schools. Hands off our Medicare. Hands off our jobs. Hands off our unions and contracts.

The lively crowd, armed with protest signs and banners, gathered on the New Haven Green to voice their opposition to President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk. Among the signs were messages like “DOGE is not legit” and “Why does Elon have your Social Security info?”. Rev Scott Marks, director of New Haven Rising declared, “We aim to use this demonstration to demand that Trump and Musk take their hands off the programs that middle-class and working families rely on.” Rally speakers and organizers echoed the same message, stating, “Enough is enough. It is time for all of us in Connecticut to rise up and fight back for what we believe in.” said youth activist Ambar Santiago-Rojas. The rally also spotlighted critical issues such as preserving Medicaid, Social Security, immigrant rights, LGBTQ rights, the courts, and democracy. Following the rally, the massive crowd poured into the downtown streets of New Haven, chanting, “whose streets?, our streets!”

NEW LONDON

Close to 1,000 union members, peace activists, civil servants, retirees, students, migrants, and working people stood in front of the New London County Courthouse to call for a stop to the Trump/Musk Coup, to demand the Bill of Rights be protected from attack, and to rally to the defense of unions, civil servants, and our public programs. The Court House, which has been in continual use since the 1780s, is fittingly located at a five-way intersection across the street from the New London Public Library and just a few short blocks away from the landing-point of the Amistad, within sight of the State Pier and its towering windmills, and among several churches and public housing.

The police struggled in good spirits to keep the masses from meeting in the middle of the road, but whenever the crossing-light changed, dozens of working people would cross the street to cheers.

This street crossing symbolized a unifying of movements and issues. From the Court House, there were speakers demanding due process for all peoples, the liberation of detainees, and the end of the Palestinian genocide. From the Public Library, there were demands that Trump keep his hands off our public education and teachers unions. From the Amistad, there were calls for protecting the LGBTQ+ community and youth. From the State Pier, environmentalists called for a protection of our ecosystem. From the apartment blocks, working people called for billionaires to keep their hands off Social Security, housing assistance, and Medicaid.

When the lights changed and the crossings paused, cars drove through the heart of the movement. Taking in the signs, sounds, and energy of working class solidarity, the drivers would, almost instinctively, honk their horns to signal their solidarity. For hours, this five-way intersection stood as the thunderous heart of a working class tired of being oppressed.

An elder walked into the intersection, overcome with emotion. With tears in his eyes, he could be heard saying, “This is America, this is America.”

NIANTIC

A chill April wind blowing across the railroad tracks from Long Island Sound and sporadic rain failed to dampen an enthusiastic Hands Off! rally at the Niantic Green. Surrounding three sides of the T intersection of CT State routes 156 and 161 stood about 300 winter-coated and umbrellaed residents, 10% of the population. Several gray-haired women in parkas and raincoats shouted from the curb to the passing traffic “Beep! Beep!” and received honks from cars and many pickup trucks in response. An engineer also blew the horn of an accelerating train.

The mainly senior crowd included teen-agers, small children and dogs on leashes. They held hand drawn signs including “Tax the Rich,” “If you think it’s bad now, just wait,” “Hands off Social Security.” One creative protester’s sign read “Porsche - Fast, Ferrari - Faster, Tesla - Fascist” referring to the electric car company multi-billionaire and President Trump’s favorite government assassin Elon Musk purchased and is CEO of.

Under a small covered gazebo a few elected officials encouraged the crowd. One was State Senator Martha Marx who said the only way to save us from the dictatorial Trump policies was for people to be out in the streets. In Niantic, we were. 

WATERBURY and TORRINGTON

The Hands Off rally in Waterbury was modest in size but it was a wonderful development. Usually the town of Waterbury sits protests out. This time residents felt compelled to come together.

In Torrington people gathered at the Post Office lining both sides of the street. The crowd was many people deep. The rally wass very spirited and attended by multiple State Representatives and Congressman John Larson who greeted each person and spoke about the need to mobilize in order to save Social Security.

HARTFORD

It was raining by 3 pm but that did not deter the crowd of 2500 at the North Steps of the State Capitol, holding creative signs and cheering for messages of encouragement, determination and solidarity. Attorney General William Tong listed four more lawsuits he filed this week, winning four more stays on Executive Orders that cut funding for healthcare, public museums and libraries, and fomented deportations with no due process. “Trump is flooding the zone, so I am flooding the zone. He wants to exhaust us. I am not exhausted, are you exhausted?” he asked and the crowd roared NO. In the crowd were veterans of many struggles alongside those who were coming out for the first time to protest. One woman said her first protest was Black Lives Matter and now she was compelled to come out again to stop the devastation and racism underway. It was fun to be there with the YCL, but we never did get all our people to one spot because the crowd was so dense it was hard to move. The poet laureaut of Manchester offered a powerful rendition of an original work. Bette Marafino spoke of the dangerous attack underway in an attempt to steal and privatize our earned Social Security to give more tax cuts to billionaires. A powerful speker from the LGBTQ community received applause and support. In the friendly atmosphere everyone was looking out for one another, making the rally more powerful.  This is not a one and done, this a movement and we are on the move!

WE ARE MANY - THEY ARE FEW - STOP THE BILLIONAIRE COUP!        Annual May Day Rally hosted by Connecticut People's World on Saturday May 3 at 6 pm at 267 Chapel St, New Haven.  May Day Around the World slide show, songs of resistance, demands for our future.  See you there. 

Boycott Avelo Airlines for Collaboration with ICE

 

An enraged community responded immediately when New Haven based Avelo airlines announced it would be partnering with ICE to deport targeted immigrants. Mayor Justin Elicker and Attorney General William Tong each said the company's collaboration with ICE is unacceptable. The New Haven Immigrants Coalition launched a petition pledging to boycott the airline which got over 6,000 signatures in a matter of hours. “We won't fly Avelo until they stop ICE flights! ¡No volaremos con Avelo!” says the petition. In nieghboring East Haven residents gathered to demand “CT! Cancel Fuel Tax Contract with Avelo! “

The petition reads: “We demand that AVELO AIR halt plans to carry out deportation flights in cooperation with the Trump Administration. We pledge to boycott the airline until they stop plans to profit off ICE flights that are tearing families and communities apart and removing some legal residents, such as Maryland father Kilmar Abrego Garcia, with no recourse for returning to their families.

Avelo Air confirms that they have signed a contract with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Immigration Control and Enforcement agency (ICE) to carry out deportation flights from Mesa, Arizona and are currently recruiting staff. A leaked internal memo states that the deportation flights will make up for operating losses at Tweed Airport, thereby funding New Haven’s airport through cruel deportation practices. New Haven is Avelo’s largest hub, with more flights in and out of HVN than any other airport.

Avelo has taken full advantage of a two year fuel tax moratorium from the State of Connecticut to expand its operations at Bradley and Tweed airports. On June 30th, six weeks after Avelo starts ICE flights, the free pass on Avelo’s fuel tax bill in Connecticut expires. We further demand that the CT legislature NOT renew this massive tax cut for Avelo that would effectively provide state subsidy for Trump Administration deportation practices.

Trump's cruel policies go against everything we stand for. These flights are inhumane, dangerous, and, in some cases, illegal. They transport vulnerable people, including children and women, out of the country, at times without due process. Read what ProPublica has to say about ICE flights.

We reject the Trump Administration’s inhumane deportation practices, reject cooperation from the  State of Connecticut in support of Avelo as long as they are complicit in these practices, and pledge to boycott Avelo as long as they are profiting from ICE flights.

AG Tong made public a letter he sent to Avelo. “Let’s be clear what these flights are doing. These are flights separating parents from their children. These are flights where people—men, women and children — are shackled in handcuffs, waist chains and leg irons, where flight attendants have said there is no safe plan to evacuate people in an emergency. No one is forcing Avelo to operate these flights. If reporting is accurate, Avelo has freely chosen to profit from and facilitate these atrocities. The State of Connecticut has an obligation now to review this business decision and to consider the viability of our choice to support Avelo.”

Demand Grows for Just Cause Eviction Protection

 

Tenants turned out at the State Capitol this week in support of Just Cause Eviction Protection (HB 6889) with the Connecticut Tenants Union, Make the Road Connecticut, and the Connecticut Fair Housing Center.

Just Cause requires landlords to provide a justification for an eviction—grounds for which are listed in state law—and protects tenants from arbitrary, retaliatory, and discriminatory evictions at the time of lease renewal or when tenants lack a written or annual lease. An existing Connecticut law extends this protection to certain tenants, and in 2025, unionized tenants and their allies are asking the state to expand those protections. So far, 31 members of the General Assembly have signed on as co-sponsors.

HB 6889 will provide immediate relief to Connecticut’s tenants facing rising rents, forced displacement, and homelessness. It will extend stability and legal protection to all tenants in apartment buildings with 5 or more units, making it easier for neighbors to organize with one another to ensure their homes are safe and healthy. It will begin to level the playing field between tenants and landlords. This is an essential measure that will ensure greater housing stability for tenants amidst a deepening housing crisis.

The fight of tenants to expand eviction protections takes place in a climate of widespread anxiety over the federal government’s defunding of critical housing programs, including fair housing enforcement; threats to Medicaid and Social Security; escalating attacks against LGBTQ persons, immigrants of all legal statuses, critics of the government, and other targeted populations; and the increasingly blatant control of billionaires over federal policy. 

Tenants connected the fight for Just Cause to the larger political context of the moment and implored Connecticut lawmakers to prove to their constituents that Connecticut government works for all of its residents, not just those few the Trump administration deems worthy. Tenants called upon their representatives to pass this vital policy to protect people’s homes, strengthen community cohesion and stability, and empower some of our state’s most frequently targeted and exploited residents. Call your state representative and state senator to insist they support HB 5889.

Health care workers sound the alarm on federal funding cuts

The unions representing workers at the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) are sounding the alarm following the abrupt termination of six federally funded CDC grants essential to infectious disease tracking, prevention, and immunization.

“These cuts, orchestrated by the Federal Department of Health and Human Services under the influence of billionaire Elon Musk, represent yet another blow to public health infrastructure and the frontline workers who sustain it,” they said.

In response to Connecticut losing $155 million in feddral aid for public health, state senator Saud Anwar, a doctor, said “This is a public health disaster. This is an assault on the people of the state of Connecticut, on the children, even the newborns.”

He called for increased state funding with “a serious conversation about fiscal guardrail reform,” referring to demands to lower the fiscal guardrails or roadblocks being used to maintain a large state surplus despite urgent human needs.

The federal grants supported programs that saved and improved lives with members who are epidemiologists, lab scientists, nurses, health educators, and administrators working directly to protect the public from infectious disease outbreaks, ensure vaccine access and safety, and prepare our state to respond quickly when threats emerge.

“The sudden termination of this funding jeopardizes this work and will have far reaching consequences for the people of our state.,” said the unions who indicated they are “working with many others to reverse these cuts and prevent others.  In the eyes of some billionaires,  human beings who depend on public services – all of us – and the workers who provide them, are disposable.   We are not.  We cannot allow our vital public health functions to become collateral damage in DC’s budget wars.”

The Connecticut Congressional delegation called the cuts “illegal and morally bankfrupt,” while Attorney General William Tong announced a law suit being filed by Connecticut and other states.

Protests to the cuts in human services are among the demands on April 5 when thousands of Connecticut residents in 20 towns are participating in a “Hands Off” nationally coordinated day of action.