A NOTE ABOUT PUBLIC MEETINGS & CHEMICAL SENSITIVITIES:
Men and women are requested to avoid wearing scented personal products
when attending public meetings. Scents trigger adverse responses in those with
chemical sensitivities. Note that many workers develop chemical sensitivities
on the job.
SAVE THE DATE: NOVEMBER 13 –
click here
Now
TELL YWCA:
WORKERS DESERVE A RAISE!
Please support United Auto
Workers Local 2322 members employed at the YWCA of Western Massachusetts by contacting
the Executive Director and Board President and telling them to give their
workers a raise. Exec Dir Mary Johnson is at (413) 732-3121 x101 and mrj@ywworks.org, also info@ywworks.org. President of the Board of
Directors Lt. C. Lee Bennett is at clbennett@springfieldpolice.net.
YWCA workers have been in
contract negotiations since May, and the YWCA has said they “cannot
afford” any raise at all for the workers who perform the vital services
the organization is known for and Johnson loves to brag about. However, the
UAW’s review of YWCA financial records shows the YWCA had $593,000 in
unrestricted funds as of March 31, 2008. And Johnson has claimed in her annual
report that the YWCA has operated at a surplus for the last 24 years. There has
been enough money so that she and other members of the YWCA upper management
have received substantial raises annually. In fact Johnson received a 19% raise
in fiscal year ending (FYE) 2006 and a 7.8% in FYE 2007 bringing her total
salary to $129,303. That does not include her “benefits” package of
$8,669 for FYE 2007. Additionally, the YWCA has spent in excess of $200,000 over
the last several years in lawyer’s fees to a known antiunion law firm to
fight their workers’ rights to a union.
Info: Ron Patenaude,
President, UAW 2322, 534-7600, uaw2322@uaw2322.org,
www.somethingaboutmaryjohnson.com.
Now
WMCOSH TRIP TO NYC
Tickets are now on sale - $35 - for
a trip to New York City on Saturday, December 13. The trip is a fundraiser for
the Western Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health. The
Peter Pan bus will depart West Springfield High School, 425 Piper Road, at 8am,
and will leave New York City at 7:30pm. The bus will make several stops in
Manhattan. Passengers will be on their own for the day in New York. Info: 827-0643,
nancywrites@verizon.net, or send name,
phone number, and check payable to Western MassCOSH to 640 Page Boulevard,
Suite 104, Springfield MA 01104.
Tuesday November 4
VOTE NO ON 1 ... and ...
Visit the website
– sign up on the e-mail list and take the pledge. Ask five friends to join
- ask friends, family members, and neighbors to go to the website, sign up on
the email list and take the pledge. There’s a Fact Sheet at http://votenowquestionone.com/files.php?name=votenoma-facts.pdf.
Check out your town’s phonebanks and visibilities.
Then vote to defeat this reckless proposal. Info: Pamela Schwartz, Western
Regional Field Director, Coalition for Our Communities, 219-5658, pschwartz@coalitionforourcommunities.org.
Some Western Mass voters will
have district ballot questions on Universal Single Payer Health Care
(info: www.masscare.org) and reducing
greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2020 (info: www.securegreenfuture.org).
Wednesday November 5
MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE/HOWL
Noon, Corner of Main & King Sts, Northampton.
And 4-6pm, Coolidge Bridge (Rt 9), Northampton/Hadley. Bring: 1: Signs saying
“Honk for ... Peace! Healthcare! Unions! The Constitution!” Whatever
you want to see from the new administration. 2: The noisemaker of your choice. If
the election is stolen, the actions will become protests! Sponsored by Pioneer
Valley Coalition Against Secrecy and Torture, WMAFSC, and the Northampton Committee
to Stop the War in Iraq. Info: Marty Nathan, martygjf@comcast.net.
Thursday November 6
TOWN HALL MEETING: THE STATE
OF CIVIL RIGHTS IN MASSACHUSETTS
6-8pm, Scibelli Hall Room 703, Springfield
Technical Community College, 1 Armory Square, Springfield (http://www.stcc.edu/vtour/CampusMap.pdf).
The Office of Access and Opportunity has partnered with the Civil Rights
Division of the Attorney General's Office, the Massachusetts Commission Against
Discrimination, the Massachusetts Office on Disability, and the Department of
Housing and Community Development to hold a series of town hall meetings around
the state. The primary objective is to engage residents, civil rights
organizations, human rights organizations, fair housing organizations, and
other concerned stakeholders to understand the state of civil rights in the
Commonwealth. You may submit written comments at the town hall meetings or
submit written comments electronically to stateofcivilrights@state.ma.us.
Info: Ronald Marlow, 617-727-2040, Ronald.Marlow@state.ma.us.
Thursday November 6
RALLY & PUBLIC HEARING: DON’T
LET HOLYOKE GET TRASHED BY UNITED WASTE MANAGEMENT
6pm, Holyoke High School, 500
Beech St, Holyoke. Public Hearing follows at 6:30pm in HHS Auditorium. The proposed
waste transfer station will bring 750 tons of trash daily to 686 Main St, over
200 daily trucks through neighborhoods every day, bringing quality of life
issues - noise, pollution, poor air, traffic, and property values problems –
that affect public health as well as Holyoke’s drinking water supply (Ashley
Reservoir is on the train route bringing out tons of waste and debris). Info:
City Councilor Diosdado López, 532-4496, DiosdadoLopez@hotmail.com.
Thursday November 6
DEAN CYCON AT FAIR TRADE & SUSTAINABILITY
EVENT
6:45pm, UMass Isenberg School of
Management Room 108, 121 Presidents Drive, Amherst. Net Impact UMass Amherst (www.netimpactumass.org) is hosting its
Fall 2008 Fair Trade and Sustainability Keynote and Networking Event with Dean
Cycon, the founder of Dean's Beans Organic Coffee Company. Cycon will give a keynote
address on all aspects of Dean's Beans fair trade, sustainability, and social
justice initiatives, followed by a moderated Q&A session from the audience,
followed by a networking reception featuring Dean's Beans coffee and local
organic baked goods, where each attendee will receive the opportunity to speak
more with Dean. Info, RSVP: Daniele Mathras, dmathras@som.umass.edu, or RSVP on the
Net Impact UMass Amherst website, www.netimpactumass.org.
Thursday November 6 (First Thursday)
MASS CITIZENS AGAINST THE
DEALTH PENALTY
7-8:30pm, Unitarian Society, 245
Porter Lake Drive, Springfield (736-2324). Agenda items include reports on
Sacco Vanzetti 2008 and recent Ehrman Award Program; a look at the Troy Davis
situation in Georgia; and preliminary thoughts about Sacco Vanzetti 2009. Info:
567-3451, CAJOWL66@aol.com.
Friday November 7
MPHA 2008 ANNUAL MEETING:
FOOD, FUEL, & THE FUTURE: SUSTAINABLE STRATEGIES
8am-2:15pm, Best Western Royal
Plaza Hotel & Trade Center, Marlborough. Fee up to $50. Keynote speaker: Jim Hightower, "America's #1
Populist" and former Texas Agriculture Commissioner (1982-1990), national
radio commentator, bestselling author, activist, and humorist. Mass Public Health Assn invites the public
to its annual meeting for a discussion and networking with trailblazing
organizations pursuing sustainable solutions to the food and energy crises in
Massachusetts. Info: Kara Keenan, 617-524-6696 x113, kkeenan@mphaweb.org, http://www.mphaweb.org/2008AnnualMeeting.htm.
Sunday November 9
"WOMEN, POWER, &
POLITICS" - A SPECIAL REPORT FROM “NOW”
7pm, Academy of Music, 274 Main St,
Northampton. A free screening of "Women, Power, & Politics: A Rising
Tide?" – an intimate behind-the-scenes look at the high-stakes
risks, triumphs and, in some cases, the defeat of being a contemporary woman
leader – with discussion with filmmaker Maria Hinojosa, a host of “NOW”,
PBS's Emmy-winning weekly newsmagazine that engages viewers by probing the most
important issues facing democracy. Hinojosa strives to answer the question:
"What does it mean to be a woman in power?" Sneak peek online at www.pbs.org/now.
PICKET JACKSON LEWIS
8-9:30am, Marriott Hotel, 2
Boland Way, Springfield. RSVP: 827-0301, wmjwj@wmjwj.org.
The law
firm of Jackson Lewis is hosting a breakfast seminar here to pitch
itself to Western Mass. employers as the key to “Staying Union
Free.” Jackson Lewis is one of the oldest and largest “union
avoidance” law firms in the nation - part of a multi-million dollar
industry designed to frustrate the exercise of our human and civil rights. Please
visit JwJ,
Mass AFL-CIO, and American
Rights at Work.
Union busters profit by manipulating our weak labor
laws. The Employee
Free Choice Act will strengthen labor laws. It holds anti-union employers
accountable; guarantees workers a free and fair chance to form a union; and
forces employers to stop dragging out contract negotiations. Now Jackson Lewis
wants to stay profitable after the Employee Free Choice Act passes next
year. EFCA would have passed Congress already but was filibustered to
death in the Senate and Jackson Lewis admits, “Experts say that no matter
who becomes president, some version of EFCA will likely become
law.” So Jackson Lewis is coming to Springfield to drum up clients
through fear of EFCA, a law that protects our basic human rights. (Join
One Million Strong for the Employee Free Choice Act.)
Will you join us November 13? Please let
us know: RSVP: 827-0301, wmjwj@wmjwj.org.
Friday November 14 (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. On the agenda: YWCA! Postal Privatization! Your Organizing!
Community and labor activists are urged to attend. Info, send agenda items to:
Jon Weissman, 732-7970, street_heat@pvaflcio.org.
Friday November 14 (changed this month from normally
Fourth Wednesday – note time and location change too)
GREEN ECONOMY WORKING GROUP
Noon-1:30pm, Alliance to Develop
Power (ADP), 130 Union St, Springfield (739-7233). Networking and sharing by
advocates for a Green Economy which (1) serves local communities; (2) guarantees
workers' rights to organize; and (3) promotes community-owned sustainable
projects. Info: Jon Weissman, 827-0301, wmjwj@wmjwj.org,
or Eduardo Suárez, 335-6224, echonyc@hotmail.com.
Join the GreenWork listserve: Subscribe at http://lists.gaiahost.coop/mailman/listinfo/greenwork
or send an email to greenwork-subscribe@lists.gaiahost.coop.
Saturday November 15 (First & Third Saturday of each
month)
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS AT
WORK!
Noon-4pm, ADP Workers
Center/Casa Obrera, 130 Union St, Springfield. Registration required.
Comprehensive know your rights training. Also serves as orientations that are
mandatory for people who want to join the Workers Center. The ADP Worker Center
has a number of programs and benefits for members, including a food co-op, ESOL
classes, democracy school, leadership training, and a legal clinic. Info, to
register: William Cano, 739-7233, william@a-dp.org.
Tuesday November 18
CLERGY-LABOR LUNCH
Noon, Springfield – details to come.
Info: Fred Rose, Pioneer Valley Project, 827-0781, fredrose.pvp2@verizon.net.
Wednesday November 19 (Third Wednesday)
MASS SENIOR ACTION COUNCIL – WESTERN MASS
MONTHLY MEETING
1:30-3:30pm, 1124 Berkshire Av, Springfield. Massachusetts
Senior Action Council 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/.
November 20-21
“BUILDING A LOCAL ECONOMY
THAT WORKS FOR ALL IN THE PIONEER VALLEY & BEYOND”
8:30am-5:00pm each day, First
Congregational Church, 102 Middle St, Hadley. Price: sliding scale $25-$150,
includes lunch and materials. Workshop led by Felice Yeskel (Director, Class Action), Rhonda Soto (Race/Class
Intersections Program Coordinator, Class Action) and Steve Schnapp (Senior
Education Coordinator, UFE). Info, to
register: http://www.classism.org/program_detail.php?id=185.
Thursday November 20 (Third Thursday)
NORTHAMPTON LIVING WAGE
COALITION
7pm, Western Mass Legal
Services, 20 Hampton Ave, Northampton, enter near Pleasant St. Drafting a City
Council resolution updating the Northampton Living Wage to reflect the cost of
living increase since 1998, bringing the living wage from $7.49/hour for
employees with health insurance to $9.52, and from $9 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. Info, to help get signatures:
Kathryn Collins, kathryncollins52@yahoo.com.
WMASS JOBS WITH JUSTICE HAMPSHIRE
WORKERS' RIGHTS COMMITTEE meets with the NORTHAMPTON LIVING WAGE COALITION.
Info: 827-0301, wmjwj@wmjwj.org.
Saturday November 22
CLEAN ENERGY CONFERENCE: GREEN
JOBS IN MASSACHUSETTS
9am-4:45pm, MassMutual Center, Speakers include UMass
Amherst economics professor Robert Pollin; Bracken Hendricks, a founder of the Apollo Alliance, and co-author of “Apollo’s
Fire: Igniting America’s Clean Energy Economy”; State Sen. Benjamin
Downing; State Rep. Daniel Bosley; Phil Giudice, a commissioner of the Massachusetts
Department of Energy Resources; and Chris Kilfoyle, president of Berkshire
Photovoltaics Corp. Clean Energy Connections is intended to be a forum for individuals
and organizations accelerating the growth of the clean energy economy in
Massachusetts and those seeking clean-energy career information.
Pre-registration is required. Info: 545-2706, www.umass.edu/green.
Monday November 24 (changed this month from normally
Third Wednesday)
PIONEER VALLEY CENTRAL LABOR
COUNCIL
7pm, 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.
Tuesday November 25 (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.
And don’t forget! Join One Million Strong
for the Employee Free Choice Act.
More events at http://www.westernmassafsc.org/calendar/calendar.html
& http://people.umass.edu/jgerber/SustEvents.htm.
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[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 Worker's Rights".
Western
Mass Jobs with Justice
640 Page Blvd #101
Springfield MA 01104
(413) 827-0301