Now VOTE FOR THE BIGGEST CORPORATE SCROOGE <http://www.massjwj.net/node/3074> IN MASSACHUSETTS! Saturdays this Holiday Season HELP HANG UP ON VERIZON UNION BUSTING CWA Local 1400 is looking for volunteers to leaflet Verizon Wireless store across Massachusetts. Verizon is laying off workers and abandoning customers. Between now and Christmas, Verizon will lay off hundreds of our neighbors in metro area in addition to 59 who already lost their jobs. If you can volunteer a Saturday from 11am to 1pm this holiday season, the folks would be grateful. Info: Jen Cusick, jenniferjcusick@yahoo.com. Tuesday December 8 PRIMARY ELECTION FOR SENATOR Deadline to be registered for the General Election: December 30. General Election: January 19. Tuesday December 8 LGBT: WE DEMAND EQUALITY! 7pm, Campus Center Room 803, UMass Amherst. The first Western Mass meeting of Equality Across America. Why we need a grassroots movement demanding full federal equality and how we can build it. In most states, for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) people: It's legal to be fired because of your sexuality or gender identity. Same sex marriage is illegal, and where it's allowed couples are denied over 1,000 federal benefits including immigration equality. LGBT people face discrimination in housing; gay men may not give blood. In addition, LGBT people may not serve openly in the military. Info: Gary Lapon, glapon@gmail.com, http://equalitywmass.blogspot.com/. RSVP on Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=347452230172> . Tuesday December 8 DAVID BACON: ILLEGAL PEOPLE 7:30pm, Trinity College - Mather Terrace Rooms B and C, Hartford. David Bacon, journalist, author, and influential voice for Immigrant Rights, will discuss and sign his new book, Illegal People. He will cover issues of labor, immigration, and the global economy. Spanish-English simultaneous translation provided. Info: 860-967-8277, Daniela.OrtizBahamonde@trincoll.edu. Wednesday December 9 TRANSITION TOWN NORTHAMPTON LAUNCH 7:30-9pm, Friends Meeting House, 43 Center St, Suite 202, Northampton. Transition Towns is a rapidly growing model for pulling a community together toward sustainable, joyous living. The goal is to get everyone involved in building a life that where we meet local needs locally, phase out the use of fossil fuels and other technologies that threaten the environment, and break through the isolation and separation that modern society have brought about. Transition Towns began in the UK, but the movement is now spreading across the US, bringing a fresh approach to building a future that will not only care well for the planet but better nurture the human spirit. Info: Lundy Bancroft, (413) 582-6700, www.transitiontowns.org, www.transitionus.org. Thursday December 10 61ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF <http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/> HUMAN RIGHTS The United Nations declared rights such as the following "inalienable" to "all members of the human family" on December 10, 1948: Article 23. * (1) Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favorable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment. * (2) Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work. * (3) Everyone who works has the right to just and favorable remuneration ensuring for him[/her]self and his[/her] family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection. * (4) Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his[/her] interests. Article 24. * Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay. See also http://www.jwj.org/campaigns/workers/tools/humanrights.html. Thursday December 10 PIONEER VALLEY PROJECT'S CLERGY-LABOR LUNCH 12:30-2pm, Trinity United Methodist Church, 361 Sumner Avenue, Springfield. This will be a time for reflection about conditions in our communities since we last met, given ongoing economic difficulties and the violence gripping Springfield and how we feel called to respond. Also updates about PVP campaigns to improve schools, reduce violence, and create job opportunities, all of which have made important strides over the past 6 months. RSVP: Fred Rose, 827-0781, fredrose.pvp2@verizon.net. Thursday December 10 HUMAN RIGHTS DAY 2009: HEARING ON IMMIGRANT WORKERS' RIGHTS 3pm, St Paul's Cathedral, 138 Tremont St, Boston. Testimony by immigrant workers and workers' rights experts on workplace issues and challenges including: ˇ Rev. Peter Morales, President, Unitarian Universalist Association ˇ Rabbi Barbara Penzner, Temple Hillel B'nai Torah ˇ Joshua Rubenstein, Northeast Director, Amnesty International USA ˇ Horace Small, Executive Director, Union Minority Neighborhoods ˇ Bishop Peter D. Weaver, New England Conference of United Methodist Church Info: Eastern Mass. Job with Justice, 617-524-8778, www.massjwj.net <http://www.massjwj.net/> . Thursdays December 10 & 17 PATRICK-MURRAY ADMINISTRATION COMMUNITY FORUM TO DISCUSS FISCAL YEAR 2011 Dec. 10: 5-7pm, FutureWorks Career Center - STCC Technology Park - - Building 103-3, Federal & State Sts, Springfield. Moderated by Nancy Snyder, Interim Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development. Dec. 17: 6-8pm, location to be determined, Springfield. Part of 19 Budget Hearings and Forums across the Commonwealth to ensure that citizens have input in developing the Governor's budget recommendations. Info: 617-725-4036, www.mass.gov/governor/forum <http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=gov3terminal&L=3&L0=Home&L1=Key+Priorities&L2=C ivic+Engagement+%26+Strong+Communities&sid=Agov3&b=terminalcontent&f=forums& csid=Agov3> . Summaries of the forums, along with videos and questions, will be posted at www.engage.blog.state.ma.us <http://engage.blog.state.ma.us/> . If you are not able to attend a forum, you can still be a part of the conversation by contributing online. Thursday December 10 HUMAN RIGHTS DAY 2009: UNEMPLOYED WORKERS MEET 6:30-8pm, Greenfield Community TV, 3rd floor, 393 Main St, Greenfield, between Garden Cinema and Church. Share experiences, talk about what we need, and what we can do about unemployment. With a brief historical overview by Union Organizer Judy Atkins and economic overview by UMass Prof. David Kotz. Info: wmjwj@wmjwj.org. RSVP: I <mailto:wmjwj@wmjwj.org?subject=I'll%20Be%20There%2012/10&body=Name:%0aCity% 20or%20Town:%0aHome%20and/or%20cell%20phone:%0a> 'll Be There! Thursday December 10 HUMAN RIGHTS DAY 2009: CELEBRATION & CALL TO ACTION 7pm, Unitarian Universalist Society, 220 Main St, Northampton. Keynote speaker will be human rights activist and National Priorities Project Director Jo Comerford. People from our community dedicated to attaining those rights will read appropriate articles of the Declaration. There will be a presentation of the Mayor's proclamation declaring December 10 as Human Rights Day in Northampton; music performances by Red Valley Fog and the Raging Grannies; and a call to action by Marty Nathan of the Pioneer Valley Coalition Against Secrecy and Torture. There will also be information available on the many community groups working on human rights issues locally and globally. Info: Sara Weinberger, Northampton Human Rights Commission, spw128@comcast.net, or Marty Nathan, Pioneer Valley Coalition Against Secrecy and Torture, martygjf@comcast.net. RSVP: I <mailto:wmjwj@wmjwj.org?subject=I'll%20Be%20There%2012/10&body=Name:%0aCity% 20or%20Town:%0aHome%20and/or%20cell%20phone:%0a> 'll Be There! Thursday December 10 (change this month from normally First Thursday) MASSACHUSETTS CITIZENS AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY 7-8:30pm, Unitarian Society, 245 Porter Lake Drive, Springfield. A bill to reinstate the death penalty in Massachusetts has been proposed. This very important matter, as well as others, will be discussed. MCADP's mission is to keep the death penalty out of Massachusetts and work to abolish it nationally and internationally. Info: mcadp1@aol.com or cajowl66@aol.com, 567-3451. Friday December 11 (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: EFCA; Mass Mutual Center workers; Safe Hospital staffing; Green Jobs; Immigration Reform; Postal job loss; Servicenet; Your Organizing! Community and labor activists are urged to attend. Info, send agenda items to: Jon Weissman, 732-7970, street_heat@pvaflcio.org. Friday December 11 FREE FILM: THE GOOD FIGHT: THE ABRAHAM LINCOLN BRIGADE IN THE SPANISH CIVIL WAR 7pm, Media Education Foundation <http://www.mediaed.org/> , 60 Masonic Street, same building as Woodstar Café, Northampton. Discussion following. Documentary about US volunteers who served with the International Brigades during the Spanish Civil War; includes interviews with veterans and extensive use of archival footage. Info: Michele Spring-Moore, (413) 584-3158, mspringmoore@yahoo.com, http://www.northamptoncommittee.org/. Saturday December 12 A TRIP TO NEW YORK CITY WITH WMCOSH 8am, bus leaves West Springfield High School, 425 Piper Rd. $35. It makes several stops in Manhattan at various tourist locations. Passengers are free to plan their own day; there are no scheduled activities or tours. The bus will leave New York City at 7:30pm. Sponsored by the Western Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health. Call 731-0760 for more information, or send check payable to Western MassCOSH, 640 Page Blvd Suite 104, Springfield MA 01104. December 12 & 13 LEADERSHIP WITH THE ALINSKY METHOD OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZING: THE OBAMA TOOLBOX Saturday 9am-5pm, Sunday 9am-3pm, Montague Farm Zen House/Zen Peacemakers, 177 Ripley Road, Montague. $100 includes lunches. Scholarships are available. No one will be turned away. Please register by Monday December 7. Transportation is available. Alisa Glassman, Lead Organizer of an Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF) affiliate, will cover essentials from the IAF National Leadership Training. This is the method the Obama campaign used to win the nomination and election of President Obama. The IAF develops organizations that use power - organized people and organized money - in effective ways. The secret to the IAF's success lies in its commitment to identifying, recruiting, training, and developing leaders in every corner of a community. The IAF methodology draws on a belief in the potential of people to grow and develop as leaders, to be full members of the body politic, to speak and act with others on their own behalf, and to re-knit the frayed social fabric. To register: Laurie@zenpeacemakers.com or call 413-367-5272. Questions: Karen@zenpeacemakers.com or call 413-367-5275. More about Zen Peacemakers: www.zenpeacemakers.org. Saturday December 12 (Second Saturday) HEALTH EQUITY ROUNDTABLE 9:30-11:30am, Tapestry Health, 365 Bay St, Springfield. Addressing existing disparities in health care and outcomes, and the underlying racism, poverty, and homelessness. This Springfield Health Disparities Project roundtable provides a forum to engage community people in dialogue with folks working on community health initiatives, keeping the community abreast of what is happening, and getting people involved in working with others to improve community health. Info: Betty Agin, 627-4028, betagi7@verizon.net. Sunday December 13 THE PEOPLE SPEAK 8pm, The History Channel (http://www.history.com/peoplespeak). The long awaited documentary film inspired by Howard Zinn's books, A People's History of the United States and Voices of a People's History of the United States (with Anthony Arnove). Using dramatic and musical performances of the letters, diaries, and speeches of everyday Americans, THE PEOPLE SPEAK gives voice to those who spoke up for social change throughout US history, forging a nation from the bottom up with their insistence on equality and justice. Narrated by acclaimed historian Howard Zinn. Produced by Matt Damon, Josh Brolin, Chris Moore, Anthony Arnove, and Howard Zinn; co-directed by Moore, Arnove, and Zinn. Dramatic and musical performances by Allison Moorer, Benjamin Bratt, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Chris Robinson, Christina Kirk, Danny Glover, Darryl "DMC" McDaniels, David Strathairn, Don Cheadle, Eddie Vedder, Harris Yulin, Jasmine Guy, John Legend, Josh Brolin, Kathleen Chalfant, Kerry Washington, Lupe Fiasco, Marisa Tomei, Martín Espada, Matt Damon, Michael Ealy, Mike O'Malley, Morgan Freeman, Q'orianka Kilcher, Reg E. Cathey, Rich Robinson, Rosario Dawson, Sandra Oh, Staceyann Chin, and Viggo Mortensen. The soundtrack features new songs by Allison Moorer, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Eddie Vedder, Exene Cervenka, Jackson Browne, John Doe, John Legend, Lupe Fiasco, P!nk, Randy Newman, Rich Robinson, and Taj Mahal. http://www.peopleshistory.us/news/people-speak-soundtrack-CD-on-Verve A two-disc special DVD set will be out in January. More details soon at http://www.thepeoplespeak.com. New and updated edition of Voices of a People's History of the United States: http://www.sevenstories.com/book/?GCOI=58322100808900 Sign up for notices at http://www.thepeoplespeak.com. On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thepeoplespeakonhistory. Tuesday December 15 (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. The 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 December 16 (Third Wednesday) MASS SENIOR ACTION COUNCIL - WESTERN MASS 1:30-3pm, 1124 Berkshire Avenue, near corner of Page Blvd, Springfield. Light refreshments, 50/50 raffle. 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, http://www.masssenioraction.org. Wednesday December 16 (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 December 17 (normally Second Thursday; date changed this month due to Human Rights Day events) 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 Northampton Living Wage Coalition was founded out of concern for those working in our community who cannot afford to live here and meet their basic needs (for a decent home, healthy food, appropriate clothing, and health care when needed.) On Nov. 19, the Northampton City Council voted for a living wage resolution updating its 1998 Living Wage resolution. Using data from the Crittenton <http://www.liveworkthrive.org/> Women's Union and the Northampton Housing Authority to calculate a basic needs budget for a single person without children, the Northampton living wage begins at $11.90 per hour. The NLWC will adjust it annually, publicize it, and honor those employers who pay a Living Wage or make a genuine attempt to do so. Info: Kitty Callaghan, kcallaghan@wmls.org. Thursday December 17 (Third Thursday) IMMIGRANT & WORKERS RIGHTS COALITION 7-8:30pm, Conference Room, second floor, room 234 &/or 236, Potpourri Plaza, 243 King St, Northampton (opposite Stop & Shop, http://maps.google.com/maps?oi=map <http://maps.google.com/maps?oi=map&q=243+King+St,+Northampton,+MA> &q=243+King+St,+Northampton,+MA). Organizing for comprehensive immigration reform and local issues, including know your rights training, reaching out to the victims of recent raids, Franklin County Jail detention center visitation project, restaurant workers project (collecting information, possible interviews), and a film series. Info: American Friends Service Committee, 584-8975, afsc@crocker.com. Friday December 18 (changed from normally Fourth Wednesday due to holiday) GREENWORK: THE WESTERN MASS GREEN ECONOMY WORKING GROUP 12:30-2:30pm, Brown Bag Lunch at Noon, Pioneer Valley AFL-CIO Hall, 640 Page Boulevard, Springfield (732-7970). GreenWork consists of advocates for a Green Economy which serves local communities; guarantees workers' rights to organize; and promotes community-owned sustainable projects. On the agenda: progress report by GreenWork Organizational Subcommittee on our Articles of Organization and By-Laws; review Clean Energy Connections, November 10. Subscribe to the GreenWork listserve 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, director@echosd.org. Friday December 18 FREE FILM: COAL COUNTRY, RISING UP AGAINST MT. TOP REMOVAL 7pm, Media Education Foundation <http://www.mediaed.org/> , 60 Masonic Street, same building as Woodstar Café, Northampton. Discussion following. Documentary about miners and activists battling coal companies doing mountaintop removal mining in Appalachia, and debates about "clean coal" and energy alternatives for the US. Info: Michele Spring-Moore, (413) 584-3158, mspringmoore@yahoo.com, http://www.northamptoncommittee.org/. Saturday December 19 CELEBRATE CO-OP POWER'S 5TH ANNIVERSARY 5pm, Quaker Meeting House, 43 Center St, Northampton. Potluck, celebration program, dancing. Co-op Power is a multi-class, multi-racial movement building a just and sustainable future, working together, pooling our resources to build community ownership of green energy and green jobs. It has helped launch several solar hot water installation businesses; is launching Northeast Biodiesel in Greenfield; helped launch Energia, a new energy services company in Western Mass; offers a Neighbor to Neighbor Solar Hot Water Installation program; is launching a new Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Efficiency program; staffs green job training programs in Turners Falls and Holyoke to prepare people of color, young people, and people from limited resource communities to work in our new businesses; has put on five annual Sustainable Energy Summits which have helped us all understand more and more about what these times are calling for in each one of us; has trained community facilitators and grown our understanding of the dramatic changes facing us and how to support the internal transitions we're all going through as a result so that we can work more effectively as communities to build a just and sustainable future; is supporting the development of lots of other new community-based businesses across Massachusetts and Southern Vermont. Info: (413) 772-8898, 877-266-7543, info@cooppower.coop, www.cooppower.coop. Tuesday December 22 (Fourth Tuesday) HAMPSHIRE/FRANKLIN CENTRAL LABOR COUNCIL 5:30pm, 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 December 30 DEADLINE TO REGISTER FOR JAN. 19 GENERAL ELECTION FOR SENATOR Wednesday January 6 (First Wednesday) FRANKLIN COUNTY WORKERS' RIGHTS COMMITTEE 7-8:30pm, Traprock Center for Peace and Justice, 24 Miles St, Greenfield ((413) 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. Agenda includes proposed biomass plant. Info: (413) 827-0301, wmjwj@wmjwj.org. Friday January 8 (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: EFCA; Mass Mutual Center workers; Safe Hospital staffing; Green Jobs; Immigration Reform; Postal job loss; Servicenet; Your Organizing! Community and labor activists are urged to attend. Info, send agenda items to: Jon Weissman, 732-7970, street_heat@pvaflcio.org. Saturday January 9 (Second Saturday) HEALTH EQUITY ROUNDTABLE 9:30-11:30am, Tapestry Health, 365 Bay St, Springfield. Addressing existing disparities in health care and outcomes, and the underlying racism, poverty, and homelessness. This Springfield Health Disparities Project roundtable provides a forum to engage community people in dialogue with folks working on community health initiatives, keeping the community abreast of what is happening, and getting people involved in working with others to improve community health. Info: Betty Agin, 627-4028, betagi7@verizon.net. Thursday January 14 (Second 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 Northampton Living Wage Coalition was founded out of concern for those working in our community who cannot afford to live here and meet their basic needs (for a decent home, healthy food, appropriate clothing, and health care when needed.) On Nov. 19, the Northampton City Council voted for a living wage resolution updating its 1998 Living Wage resolution. Using data from the Crittenton <http://www.liveworkthrive.org/> Women's Union and the Northampton Housing Authority to calculate a basic needs budget for a single person without children, the Northampton living wage begins at $11.90 per hour. The NLWC will adjust it annually, publicize it, and honor those employers who pay a Living Wage or make a genuine attempt to do so. Info: Kitty Callaghan, kcallaghan@wmls.org. Friday January 15 DUOPALOOZA! CHARLIE KING & KAREN BRANDOW AND KIM & REGGIE HARRIS 7:30pm, St James Church, 8 Church St, Greenfield. Benefit for National Priorities Project, www.nationalpriorities.org. $10 in advance, $15 at the door. Tickets on sale December 15-January 14 at Broadside Bookshop <http://www.broadsidebooks.com/> , Northampton; National Priorities Project, Northampton; Odyssey <http://www.odysseybks.com/> Bookshop, South Hadley; Traprock Center for <http://traprock.info/> Peace and Justice, Greenfield. Charlie King & Karen Brandow are musical storytellers and political satirists whose repertoire covers a century and a half and four continents. Charlie King has been at the heart of American folk music for over 40 years. His songs have been recorded and sung by other performers such as Pete Seeger, Holly Near, Ronnie Gilbert, John McCutcheon, Arlo Guthrie, Peggy Seeger, Chad Mitchell and Judy Small. Karen Brandow has been performing with Charlie King since 1998. Visit www.charlieking.org. Kim & Reggie Harris's captivating stage presence has inspired audiences around the world for over 25 years. As singers, songwriters, storytellers, educators, historical interpreters and cultural advocates, they entertain audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Over the course of their career they have opened for and performed with a diverse array of artists including Jay Leno, Pete Seeger, Richie Havens, Tom Paxton, Michael Keaton, The Indigo Girls, Janis Ian, and many others. Visit www.kimandreggie.com. Info: Jo Comerford, (413) 584-9556, jo@nationalpriorities.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: <http://www.jwj.org/pledge.html> "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 <http://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