Note: Check out the
Unemployment LifeLine today. It's a one-stop online guide that links
workers to local resources, from unemployment offices to veterans' services to
child care. It also offers the opportunity to talk to others and share support
and lessons learned.
Monday June 1
PIONEER VALLEY
PROJECT ANNUAL ACTION
6:30-8pm, Greek Cultural Center, 22 St George Rd, Springfield (off
Main St at Plainfield St opposite Carew St; 737-1496). City officials are
coming to respond to PVP's issue priorities: Asking Mayor Domenic Sarno and City Council
Pres. Bud Williams to commit to PVP's jobs campaign to use stimulus dollars to
repair schools and create jobs; state highway department to work with PVP to
recruit residents for new highway and road construction jobs. Superintendent Alan
Ingram will update PVP about progress in our campaign to expand teacher home
visits citywide. Police Commissioner William Fitchet will commit to improve
safety for immigrants and resolve problems with language access with 911.
We need you to make this Action a success. Please let us know
(click
here) if you can join 500 PVP members and supporters at the PVP Action on
Monday. Your support will help us win better schools, jobs, and safety in the
city. Info: Fred Rose, 827-0781.
Tuesday June 2
OBAMA'S TORTURED RESPONSE TO TORTURE
7:30pm,
Unitarian Universalist Society of Amherst, 121 N Pleasant St, Amherst. Professor
Christopher Pyle of Mount Holyoke College will discuss President Obama's responses
to torture under both his and the previous administration’s policies and
actions. A constitutional law scholar, Pyle is the author of Getting Away with Torture: Secret Government, War Crimes, and the Rule of Law
and several other books and Congressional reports, and has testified numerous
times before the U.S. Congress on issues of deportation and extradition. He
disclosed the Army's spying on Americans in January 1970. Info: Nancy Foster, 253-2632.
Wednesday June 3 (First
Wednesday)
FRANKLIN COUNTY WORKERS' RIGHTS COMMITTEE
7-8:30pm,
Traprock Center for Peace and Justice, 24 Miles St, Greenfield (773-7427). Organizing local solidarity for Franklin County workers and unions;
nurses and other workers at Franklin Medical Center; Greenfield municipal employees;
and statewide and national workers' rights campaigns, including People's
Bail-Out and Employee Free Choice Act. Info: 827-0301, wmjwj@wmjwj.org.
TOGETHER ON THE LAND: Options for
Sustainable, Affordable, & Ecological Living in Community
7-8:30pm,
Second Congregational Church, 16 Court Square, Greenfield. Panel discussion: Throughout
the Pioneer Valley there are numerous models for how
to create communities that balance affordability, ecology, and community
connections. No one model has all the answers – but they all offer
tremendous insights and may be the answer you’re looking for today.
Saturday
June 6: MULTI-SITE GUIDED TOUR 9am-4pm,
Franklin County. Pre-Registration Required. Info, to register for the tour: Megan,
624-5128, www.VCLT.org.
Saturday June 6
MASS. PAID LEAVE COALITION AT DEMOCRATIC
PARTY CONVENTION
7:30am-8:30am, MassMutual Center, Main
& Court Sts, Springfield (across from Court Square). Don a surgical
mask and help the Massachusetts Paid Leave Coalition hand out prescriptions. Help
educate the Democratic Convention Delegates about the need for Paid Sick Days. What good is a prescription for the flu that
can’t be filled? Although the Center for Disease Control and Mass.
Department of Public Health advise anyone infected with the H1N1 virus to stay
home for at least 7 days, the fact is that without paid sick days, the choice is
whether to follow the advice and stay home with no pay or go to work, get paid,
keep their job and support their family. What kind of choice is that for
Massachusetts’s families?! What does that say about how serious we are
about controlling the flu outbreak?
Info:
Ellen Wallace, Greater Boston Legal Services, 617-603-1672, ewallace@gbls.org; Mimi Ramos,
Massachusetts ACORN,
617-436-7100, maacorn@acornmail.net.
Saturday June 6
SINGLE-PAYER
HEALTH CARE AT DEMOCRATIC PARTY CONVENTION
7:30am-10:30am, MassMutual Center, Main & Court
Sts, Springfield (across from Court Square). Help Franklin/Hampshire Health Care Coalition [see
June 16] leaflet Delegates about the overwhelming public support for Single Payer
in a 2005 state-wide poll and the November 2008 ballot questions. Info, RSVP: Frank
Olbris, 584-8596.
Saturday June 6
NCCJ COMMUNITY CONVERSATION ON RACE
& HEALTH
9am-4:30pm,
Tapestry Health, 365 Bay St, Springfield. Personal health is living your life
fully in the physical body that you were born with; community health is a
community that allows everyone to do that. But
•
Not everyone has equal access to health care.
•
Not everyone is treated fairly at the Doctor’s office.
•
Not everyone has access to a clean & healthy environment.
The
National Conference for Community and Justice is facilitating this Community
Conversation on Race & Health. Small groups of 8-12 participants from
diverse racial, ethnic, and social backgrounds join together for a candid
discussion of their own experiences, values, and thoughts on race and health
care. By addressing and eliminating disparities, individuals, communities,
agencies, and policy makers can greatly improve the quality of health care for
all. To get the most from this experience, each participant is expected to
attend the full day conversation session. Free parking, light breakfast and
lunch provided. Info, to register: Judith Roberts, 860-640-0022, Jroberts@nccjctwma.org.
TOM NEILSON BACKYARD CONCERT
Potluck
picnic: 5:30pm, Concert: 7pm. 41 Norwood St, Greenfield. $10.
Political satire by the Bard Insurgent - Tom Neilson is an award-winning singer-songwriter and Jobs with Justice activist who also started the successful union drive with
SEIU Local 509 at Tapestry Health. An upstate NY farm boy, Tom has been referred to as the Jon
Stewart of folk music and described by Hilljoy music as “one of the most
politically savvy songwriters in the country.” Visit http://tomneilsonmusic.com. Bring a
chair or blanket. Info: 773-8248, catron@umassk12.net.
Thursday June 11
DAY OF ACTION TARGETS CHAMBERS OF
COMMERCE
11am,
Springfield Marriott, 2 Boland Way, corner of Columbus Av, Springfield. The Massachusetts
statewide EFCA campaign steering committee, which includes the two Jobs with
Justice chapters, the state AFL-CIO Federation, and Change to Win, has chosen Thursday June 11 to target local
Chambers of Commerce to highlight the latest in a long line of nefarious
practices of the US Chamber of Commerce fighting the Employee Free Choice Act. It is spending over $20 million dollars to
spread lies to the public and to members of Congress. Randel Johnson, vice
president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, described the battle over the EFC
Act as "Armageddon."
Coincidentally on June 11, the Affiliated Chambers of
Commerce of Greater Springfield is holding its 2009
Annual Meeting at the Springfield Marriott, 11:30am-1:30pm.
Will
you join a picket line asking this Chamber of Commerce to disassociate from the
US Chamber’s practices, declare neutrality (at least) on this issue, and
cease their own active opposition to the Employee Free Choice Act? Click to
RSVP!
Can you imagine Russ Denver at the Springfield Chamber or
any CEO agreeing to work without a contract guaranteeing pay and benefits? It
would never happen. But when employers prevent a union from forming, that's
exactly what they're making employees do: work without a contract. All workers
- not just CEOs - deserve fair wages, decent benefits, and safe working
conditions - but without a contract, many will never get them. That's why we
need the Employee Free Choice Act.
But the Chamber of Commerce wants the status quo, so that
employers can threaten and intimidate and fire workers who want to form unions.
We must publicly demonstrate and remind decision-makers of the broad support
that exists for the fundamental principles of the Employee Free Choice
Act:
1
~ Workers must have a real choice to form a union and bargain for a better
life, free from employer intimidation.
2
~ Companies cannot be allowed to delay endlessly and stall out the choice of
the majority of workers.
3
~ There must be real penalties for violating the
law. Companies must be held
accountable.
“The choice about whether and how to form a
union is something that belongs to workers. Employers should have about as much
say in that as workers do about whether and how employers
join the Chamber of Commerce.” ~~ Ari Yampolsky, a campaign
coordinator for the Service Employees International Union
Friday June 12 (Second
Friday)
STREET
HEAT - THE AFL-CIO MOBILIZATION COMMITTEE
9:30-11am,
AFL-CIO Hall, 640 Page Blvd, near corner of Osborne Ter, across the street from
the old Westinghouse, Springfield. This meeting will focus on the campaign
to win the passage of the Employee Free Choice Act, including upcoming meeting
Sen. Kerry. Also on the agenda: Postal job loss; Bank of America; Wal-Mart; Your
Organizing! Community and labor activists are urged to attend. Info;
send agenda items to: Jon Weissman, 732-7970, street_heat@pvaflcio.org.
Friday June 12
PIONEER VALLEY CENTRAL LABOR COUNCIL ANNUAL
PICNIC
4-9pm,
Ludlow Fish & Game Club, Sportsman Road off Rooney Road off Chapin Street,
Ludlow (583-4055). $27 per person; deadline June 8. Clam chowder, rib eye steak or chicken, baked potato, vegetable,
salad, beans, rolls, beer, soda, coffee, dessert. The CLC asks each
Affiliate to contribute a raffle prize. Send the following info with your check
to PVAFLCIO, 640 Page Blvd, Springfield MA 01104: Name; Phone Number; Email; #
of steak dinners; # of chicken dinners. Info: 732-7970.
Saturday June 13 (Second
Saturday)
SPRINGFIELD HEALTH DISPARITIES PROJECT ROUNDTABLE
9:30am, Tapestry Health, 365 Bay St, Springfield. Addressing
existing disparities in health care and outcomes, and the underlying racism,
poverty, and homelessness. Info: Betty Agin, 627-4028, betagi7@verizon.net.
Tuesday June 16 (Third
Tuesday)
FRANKLIN/HAMPSHIRE HEALTH CARE COALITION
7pm,
Lathrop Village Community Room, Shallow Brook Drive, off Bridge Rd,
Northampton. Organizing for the Massachusetts Health Care Trust Fund Bill - a
universal health care system, providing universal access, a comprehensive range
of physical and mental health benefits, choice of provider, quality, unified
financing and cost controls, accountable governance, and stability. A
Massachusetts Health Care Trust Fund will be a “single-payer” of
all health care costs, statewide. Also organizing for the
national alternative to state action: Medicare for All – HR 676.
Info: info@fhhcc.org. Please visit www.masscare.org and www.healthcare-now.org.
Wednesday June 17 (Third
Wednesday)
MASS
SENIOR ACTION COUNCIL – WESTERN MASS
1:30-3:30pm,
location in Springfield TBA. MSAC was founded in 1981 to promote the rights,
well being, and dignity of all people, particularly vulnerable senior citizens.
Open to people of all ages. MSAC has a proud history of effective community
organizing and legislative advocacy on health care, housing, transportation,
and other issues. Info: 543-2334, mbewsee@masssenioraction.org, http://www.masssenioraction.org/.
Wednesday June 17 (Third
Wednesday)
PIONEER
VALLEY CENTRAL LABOR COUNCIL
5:30pm,
AFL-CIO Hall, 640 Page Blvd, near corner of Osborne Ter, across the street from
the old Westinghouse, Springfield. Community and labor activist guests are
welcome, but RSVP to Jon at 732-7970, mail@pvaflcio.org,
or Rick at 374-1492, rbrown@pvaflcio.org.
Thursday June 18 (Third
Thursday)
NORTHAMPTON
LIVING WAGE COALITION
7pm,
Western Mass Legal Services office, 20 Hampton Av #100, Northampton (enter near
Pleasant St, south of, right angle to Sylvester’s). The NLWC is
organizing for a City Council resolution updating the 1998 Northampton Living
Wage Resolution for employees with health insurance to $9.52, and to $11.44 for
employees without health insurance. Collecting petition
signatures supporting the resolution. Asking local business
owners to commit to paying a living wage or at least commit to working toward a
living wage. Publicly recognizing them if they do. Info: Kitty
Callaghan, kcallaghan@wmls.org.
WMASS
JOBS WITH JUSTICE HAMPSHIRE WORKERS' RIGHTS COMMITTEE meets with the
NORTHAMPTON LIVING WAGE COALITION. Info: 827-0301, wmjwj@wmjwj.org.
Saturday June 20
NORTHEAST COOPERATIVE SUMMIT
Marriott Hotel, Quincy. A gathering of cooperative and credit union leaders from across the
Northeast. A chance to learn about the tremendous impact energy
cooperatives, credit unions, food cooperatives, housing cooperatives, worker-owned
cooperatives, farmer cooperatives, and small business cooperatives have on our
economy. Info, to register: http://www.cooperativesummit.coop.
There’s also a Worker
Co-op Conference in Pittsburgh July 31 to August 2. Visit www.east.usworker.coop.
Tuesday June
23 (Fourth Tuesday)
HAMPSHIRE/FRANKLIN CENTRAL LABOR COUNCIL
7:30pm, Northampton Fire Station Community Room, 26 Carlon Drive
at King St/Route 5, Northampton (587-1148). Community and labor activist guests
are welcome, but RSVP to Pres. Fiore Grassetti, 877-725-0357, org7@comcast.net.
Wednesday June
24 (Fourth Wednesday)
WESTERN MASS GREEN ECONOMY WORKING GROUP
5:30-7:30pm, Pioneer Valley AFL-CIO Hall, 640 Page Boulevard,
Springfield (732-7970). This Working Group consists of advocates for a Green
Economy which serves local communities; guarantees workers' rights to organize;
and promotes community-owned sustainable projects. Subscribe to the WMGEWG
listserve (“GreenWork”) at http://lists.gaiahost.coop/mailman/listinfo/greenwork
or send an email to greenwork-subscribe@lists.gaiahost.coop.
Info: Jon Weissman, 827-0301, wmjwj@wmjwj.org,
or Eduardo Suárez, 335-6224, echonyc@hotmail.com.
Wednesday June 24
METAL FATIGUE: AMERICAN BOSCH AND
THE DEMISE OF METALWORKING IN THE CONNECTICUT RIVER VALLEY
7pm, Odyssey Bookshop, 9 College
St (Routes 116 at 47), in the Village Commons, S Hadley, 534-7307 or
800-540-7307; odysseybks@aol.com; www.odysseybks.com (www.odysseybks.com/directions.html).
Robert Forrant will read from and sign his new book, Metal Fatigue, about our loss of skilled industrial jobs and its
impact on individuals, families, and our entire region. On February 4, 1986, United
Technologies Corporation ordered the closure of the 76-year-old American Bosch
manufacturing plant in Springfield, capping a nearly 32-year history of job
loss and work relocation from the sprawling factory. Forrant was the business
agent for the union representing nearly 1,200 Bosch employees when the plant
closed. He is now Prof. of Regional Economic and Social Development at UMass
Lowell.
June 26-28
WILD SUMMER INSTITUTE
Bentley
University, Waltham. A leadership program for women activists in
unions and workplace-focused community organizations. Info, to register: www.wildlabor.org.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TO UNSUBSCRIBE, send an email to wmjwj@wmjwj.org with a Subject of "Unsub
Workers' Rights".
[Workers'
Rights] posts opportunities for you to learn about and show solidarity with
workplace and working class struggles. And these events are
opportunities for JwJ members to fulfill their pledge: "I'll be there for workers' rights at least
five times a year!"
This is the core mission of Jobs with Justice (www.jwj.org),
affirming that workers' rights are human rights. To subscribe, send an email to
wmjwj@wmjwj.org with a Subject of
"Subscribe Workers' Rights".
Western Mass Jobs with Justice
640 Page Blvd #101
Springfield MA 01104
(413) 827-0301
_______________________________________________ SAGE mailing list SAGE@lists.gaiahost.coop http://lists.gaiahost.coop/mailman/listinfo/sage