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Progressive Action Roundtable: A forum for progressive groups in the Greater New Haven Area where actions and ideas may be publicized so that others are aware of peace, health, justice, energy, environmental and other issues for the common good.

Archive for category Workers

April 4 Jobs Not Jails March

Jan 29

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By Deb Malatesta, ANSWER CT

On April 4th ANSWER CT will be sponsoring a Jobs Not Jails march and demonstration in solidarity with many others around the country.
Despite having only 5 percent of the world’s population the United States contains 25 percent of the world’s incarcerated persons, with 2 million people imprisoned. This is over one million more than the nation with the next largest prison population.

Driven by the ruinous, so-called, “War on Drugs,” the mass incarceration epidemic is disproportionately aimed at poor and working class communities, particularly those that are mostly Black. Just over 35% of those in prison are Black, despite Blacks representing roughly 13 percent of the population. 21.2 percent of those incarcerated in the United States are there for non-violent drug offenses. Many non-violent offenders are addicts, who are criminalized rather then treated for their addiction. The proliferation of “supermax” prisons around the country has rapidly increased the number of prisoners subjected to prolonged isolation. Long-term isolation is widely considered akin to torture. As one report puts it prolonged isolation can cause: “anxiety, depression, anger, cognitive disturbances, perceptual distortions, obsessive thoughts, paranoia, and psychosis.” Without hope for meaningful jobs and opportunity we can never hope to end this crisis of mass incarceration,  to demand: End the Drug War Now! Release All Non-Violent Drug Offenders!

End Exploitation of Prisoners Families! End Inhumane Living Conditions in Prisons! Jobs not Jails!

For more information on getting involved in the Jobs Not Jails march and demonstration or to sponsor or endorse the demonstration contact Chris or Deb at 203 903-4480.

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March 3, Discussion and Book-Signing with Jeremy Brecher, Author of Save the Humans?: Common Preservation in Action

Jan 29

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By Joan Cavanagh, Archivist/ Director, Greater

New Haven Labor History Association

“I had of course heard about the sit-down strikes and the   great industrial union organizing campaigns of the 1930s, though there was actually very little historical writing about them available in the 1960s. I had heard of the ‘Haymarket riots,’ but I didn’t know that more than half a million workers struck in 1886, many of them in a nationwide general strike for the eight-hour day. I had heard of labor leader and socialist candidate Eugene Victor Debs, but I didn’t know anything about the huge strikes in all basic industries—steel, coal, and railroads—in the mid-1890s. Nor did I know anything about the big strike waves during and after World War I and World War II. And I couldn’t find a single book or article dealing with such periods as a general phenomenon…

“Such actions called up for me a vision of how ordinary people might liberate themselves from those who oppressed them. They showed people who had been divided and apparently powerless coming together for what I would later call common preservation. It showed them confronting and sometimes defeating the greatest powers in the land. Could that story, I wondered, still be relevant?”

In his newest book, historian, activist, writer (and member for life of the Greater New Haven Labor History Association), Jeremy Brecher answers that question with a resounding “Yes!” Save the Humans? is a multi-layered, nuanced tour de force through the history of 20th and early 21st century movements for “Common Preservation,” as well as an earnest plea that we apply the lessons learned from them to confront today’s global threats.

There will be a discussion and book-signing with Jeremy in the community room of the New Haven Public Library, 133 Elm Street, from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, March 3 The event is cosponsored by the library and the Greater New Haven Labor History Association.

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U.S. Trade Union Research Delegation to Cuba: April 25-May 2, 2012

Jan 29

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By Al Marder, GNH Peace Council

With U.S. Labor for Friendship with Cuba as a program consultant, Marazul Charters, Inc. is organizing a research delegation to Cuba for full-time trade unionists:  April 25 -May 2, 2012.

The research goals of the delegation are to (1) learn how the Central de Trabajadores de Cuba (CTC), Workers’ Central Union of Cuba, the country’s national trade union federation, is working with the new economic policies within the context of socialism; (2) learn first-hand from Cuban workers about the accomplishments and new challenges of a different economic system than our own; (3) be apprised by the CTC about the effects of the 50-year old U.S. economic blockade against the Cuban people, and; (4) learn how full economic and trade relations between the U.S. and Cuba could help workers from both countries by providing economic opportunities.

The U.S. government continues to impose restrictions on travel to Cuba. But under a General License already issued by the U.S. Treasury Department, full-time professionals are permitted to travel to Cuba to conduct research in their fields. To qualify under the General License for professional research for this particular delegation, you must work full time as an appointed or elected official of a labor union or be an academic in this field.

The cost of the program is approximately $1,600 for double occupancy and $1,700 for single occupancy, which includes round trip air fare from Miami to Havana, a Cuban visa, hotel accommodations, breakfast daily, several additional meals, a bi-lingual guide, and a full research program. Delegates are responsible for their own air fare to and from Miami. The research program will include exchanges with CTC leaders and rank and file Cuban union members, visits to hospitals, labor unions, the Lazaro Pena School of the Cuban Workers, work sites, and the observance of Cuba’s May Day celebration on May 1st. The deadline for all applications is Friday, April 13, 2012.

If you are interested, or know someone who is interested and  who meets the above qualifications, contact Marazul Charters at info@marazul.com. Marazul Charters will send you details on the arrangements, the qualifications, as well as the application form.

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Crewel Linen: Remembering the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire

Dec 29

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– Stephen Kobasa, West Cove Studio Collective

At the end of last year, marking the centennial of the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire in which 146 workers died, a commemorative installation went on view at the A-Space Gallery of the West Cove Studio Collective in West Haven.

Created by the Connecticut artist Cate Bourke, the work entitled “Crewel Linen: Unfinished Business” is made up of an eight foot length of white cotton shirtwaist cloth for every one of the women who was killed. Each is embroidered with the name of an individual victim. According to Bourke, each hanging “takes on a figurative quality; light (natural and directed) picks up movement as shadows, and the collective effect …is like ghostly apparitions in quiet but moving solidarity.”

Each panel marked with a name is, Bourke says, “an invitation to a local artisan/stitcher to research more deeply the person whose signature panel he or she takes in hand in…The local stitcher may fill a signature outline, add images, words/numbers to the panel, draw threads” to illuminate the life that was lost. Background information available at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire archives includes names, countries of origin, dates of immigration, as well as more moving details such as one victim’s life savings of $800 being found stuffed into her sock.

The installation will be on view in West Haven through February 29. After that, Bourke hopes that it will travel to other venues where it will extend the collaboration with local needle workers through such groups as the Embroidery Guild of America (EGA), the American Needlepoint Guild (ANG) and the Sampler Guilds, as well as with the support of labor organizations such as Unite Here! which has already helped to underwrite the project.

Stephen Kobasa coordinates the A-Space Gallery for  the West Cove Studio Collective at 33 Elm Street in West Haven. For information about membership and print-making workshops contact Roy Smith at (609) 638-8501.

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New Haven Worker’s Association/ULA celebrates its 2011 victories for worker’s rights

Dec 29

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– Megan Fountain, ULA

Downtown the Taft Restaurant is paying a $50,000 settlement to six former kitchen workers, who led a boycott against the restaurant for failure to pay minimum wage and overtime. The cook staff worked more than 70 hours per week but received only $4 – $6 per hour and some weeks were not paid at all.

In 2011, more than 70 workers have received assistance from New Haven Worker’s Association / Unidad Latina en Acción to recover stolen wages in restaurants, retail, construction, landscaping and agriculture. The workers have been white, Latino and African American, both citizens and immigrants. Through boycotts, direct actions, and complaints to the Department of Labor, the association has helped workers recover more than $80,000 in unpaid minimum wage and overtime this year.

A press conference Tuesday, Dec. 27, took place outside Lisy’s Discount Furniture, formerly called Mario’s Discount Furniture, where a former worker is suing for more than $5,000 in unpaid wages and damages. Ana Aranda was paid less than $2 per hour, and when she delivered a lawsuit to Mario’s Discount Furniture in West Haven last Tuesday, Dec. 20, the manager told us that the owners could be found every day at the Ella Grasso Blvd. location.

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Jobs for Youth — Jobs for All

Dec 1

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— Joelle Fishman, People’s World

After a march of 200 for youth jobs and a press conference of nearly 100 at the Q House for infrastructure jobs, remembering all the youth who have died violently this year, the youth are getting ready to rally. The location is the Jobs for Youth – Jobs for All! Amistad Awards on December 4 at 4 p.m. at Co-op High School, on the corner of College and Crown Streets.

The People’s World will present awards to Renae Reese, director of the Connecticut Center for a New Economy, Delphine Clyburn, 1199 steward and alderwoman-elect from Ward 20, and Pastor Abraham Hernandez of the Interfaith Fellowship for Universal Health Care.

Cultural presentations by the youth, produced by poet Baub Bidon, will include hip hop dancers, poets, jazz and song, as well as video and photos of the youth march for jobs organized in New Haven just before election day by New Elm City Dream.

The spirit of the 99% is sure to fill the auditorium. The event takes place in the midst of a people’s upsurge against corporate rule and the largest economic divide since the great depression of the 1930′s. Massive public works jobs to restart the economy and meet the needs of communities paid for by taxing the rich and ending the wars will be on the agenda of the day.

This annual event is hosted by the People’s World in Connecticut on the 92nd anniversary of the Communist Party USA, with a long history in the fight for good jobs with union representation and benefits.

Tickets are $10 (a youth ticket for $1 is available). For more information call (203) 624-8664.

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Amistad Awards: Jobs for Youth – Jobs for All!

Oct 29

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– Joelle Fishman, People’s World

“Jobs for Youth – Jobs for All!” Is the theme of this year’s People’s World Amistad Awards rally to be held Sunday, December 4, 2011 at 4 p.m. at Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School, 177 College Street, New Haven. Cultural presentations by New Haven high school students will be featured.

The event will celebrate the contributions and example of three wonderful leaders and role models who challenge economic inequality and are in the forefront of organizing for jobs, health care and opportunities for youth. Renae Reese is director of the Connecticut Center for a New Economy and past director of ConnectiCOSH. Delphine Clyburn is a Local 1199 steward, Newhallville neighborhood organizer and Alderwoman-elect in Ward 20. Pastor Abraham Hernandez is a leader of the Interfaith Fellowship for Universal Health Care and promotes jobs and political representation in the Puerto Rican and African American community.

The rally will bring people together in hope and unity to reject bigotry and fear and build the growing movement to pass national jobs legislation, rebuild the American Dream and put people before profits.

Recognition will be given to the Youth March for Jobs being held on the New Haven Green on Wednesday, Nov. 2 at 5:30 p.m. The annual awards are presented to allies by the People’s World on the occasion of the 92nd anniversary of the Communist Party USA.

Tickets are $10. To reserve tickets or participate in the greeting book and recognize the recipients, honor those who have gone before, and celebrate the leadership coming forward from youth today, contact the event committee at 203-624-8664. The deadline for ad copy is Nov. 19, 2011.

Family Work History Project, Phase II

Oct 4

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– Paula Panzarella, Project Coordinator, Family Work History Project

Last Spring, Christine Saari, the Outreach Coordinator of the Greater New Haven Labor History Association (GNHLHA), initiated a wonderfully successful labor history program with students from Worthington Hooker and Katherine Brennan schools.  Almost one hundred sixth and eighth-grade social studies students learned how to conduct interviews with their parents and elders about work and wrote essays based on the interviews. The essays were used to create a composite performance piece with music and song by Mike Kachuba, which was performed by the students on the New Haven Green on May 1.

GNHLHA will be building on the success of last year’s program and has revised the Family Work History Project in order to reach a greater number of teachers and students. As the project coordinator, I will visit fifteen social studies classes in Connecticut to introduce the teachers to the Family Work History Project and provide them with material so they can create a Family Work History Project with their students.

I look forward to helping the students discover their “inner journalist” as they gain an understanding and appreciation of labor history. If you have suggestions of social studies teachers for me to contact, please e-mail me at paulapanzarella@gmail.com or call (203) 562-2798.

In other labor history news: PAR readers may remember that in the September issue of this newsletter, Steve Kass of the executive board of GNHLHA wrote about the plan to develop legislation that would mandate the teaching of labor history in Connecticut’s public schools.  The first meeting of the task force will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 5 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the Labor Council/ Teachers’ Building, 267 Chapel Street, New Haven. To get involved in working on legislation, contact Steve Kass at steve@laborhistory.org, or call the GNHLHA office, (203) 777-2756, ext. 2 and leave a message for Steve.

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Labor History In The Schools

Aug 31

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– Steve Kass, Exec. Board Member, GNH Labor History Association

“The history of the American labor movement needs to be taught in every school in this land…. America is a living testimonial to what free men and women organized into free democratic trade unions can do to make a better life…. we ought to be proud of it.” – Hubert H. Humphrey, Vice President 1965-69

Following the lead of the Wisconsin labor history association that organized the passing of the historic Wisconsin legislation in 2009, mandating the teaching of labor history in the public schools (first in the nation), the Greater New Haven Labor History Association (GNHLHA) is introducing the same legislation in Connecticut.

The purpose of the legislation is to get labor’s untold story told. According to a poll by the independent Hart research, 54 percent of adults said they know just a little or don’t know much about unions. They said their chief sources of knowledge were personal experience (37 percent), people in unions (26 percent) and the media (25 percent). Significantly, learning in school was not even mentioned.

The implications of these numbers are clear. To a very large degree, Americans are uninformed or misinformed about the labor movement and the role that workers have played, and do play, in our nation’s economic, political and cultural life.

Academic standards and curriculum resources such as textbooks have historically ignored or been deficient in their treatment of workers and the labor movement. Significantly, many teachers want to cover this history in their classrooms, but there are few written curriculum standards by local and state educational institutions to encourage the teaching this material.

Therefore, the GNHLHA proposes legislation that sets standards to teach labor history in the public schools of Connecticut.

The first meeting of the task force to work on getting this legislation passed in Connecticut will be held on Wednesday, October 5 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the Labor Council/ Teachers Building, 267 Chapel Street, New Haven. Join us in the effort to pass legislation implementing the teaching of labor history in Connecticut public schools. To get involved, contact Steve Kass, Task Force Committee Chair: steve@laborhistory.org, or call the Labor History office and leave a message for Steve, (203) 777-2756, Ext. 2.

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May Day On The New Haven Green Celebrates 25th Year

May 31

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—Paula Panzarella

May 1st was a great day in New Haven for international solidarity and community. The celebration on the Green was a bold proclamation of peace and showed an unyielding determination for justice. Numerous unions participated in the rally and march to support immigrant and workers’ rights. John Olsen, President of the CT AFL-CIO addressed the crowd, numerous musicians and poets took to the stage, and students from Katherine Brennan and Worthington Hooker schools created their “Family Work History Project.”  There were fun activities from the traditional Maypole to hula-hooping and juggling. We thank the International Association for a grant that helped fund our activities. New photos are being added to our website www.maydaynewhaven.org.

Read the article with photos and video online at www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/ entry/may_day

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Labor History Association Annual Meeting To Feature Panel On Resistance To Current Attacks On Labor Unions — May 15, New Haven

May 4

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By Joan Cavanagh, Archivist/ Director, GNHLHA

The Greater New Haven Labor History Association holds its annual membership meeting on Sunday, May 15th from 1:30 to 4:30 at 267 Chapel Street. There will be a panel discussion about the current sweeping attacks on public employee unions featuring Cherlyn Poindexter, outspoken President of AFSCME Management and Professional Union Local 3144; Diana Carter, who teaches 6th grade at the Worthington Hooker School; and (via Skype) Kenneth Germanson, President Emeritus of the Wisconsin Labor History Society, who has his finger on the pulse of the developing situation in that state. The panel will be moderated by Troy Rondinone, professor of American History at Southern Connecticut State University.

This year’s Augusta Lewis Troup Pass It On Awards will be presented to long time members and peace and justice activists Paula Friedland Panzarella and Frank Panzarella, organizers of the annual May Day Celebration on the New Haven Green which is in its 25th year.

Frank has also been our troubadour for many years, so, in honor of his award, we’re giving him a one-time pass this year. Taking his place will be Chuck Costa, the official 2011 Connecticut State Troubadour, who has released 4 independent albums and 2 EPs since 2002.

The annual meeting is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. For more information, con- tact joan@laborhistory.org, or call (203) 777-2756, Ext. 2.

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‘Stand Up And Fight Back!’ Boston, Saturday, May 14 At Noon

May 4

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By Deb Malatesta, ANSWER CT

From Egypt and Tunisia to Wisconsin and Ohio, workers are taking a stand against oppression and exploitation. These inspiring struggles show that when working people enter the political arena and engage in mass action, we become the most powerful agents for change.

But at the end of the day, what can bring an end to the budget cuts, unemployment, racist police brutality, and the ongoing wars and occupations that afflict so many? Can reforms alone put the needs of poor and working people first when the entire economic system is fueled by the pursuit of maximum profits for banks, corporations and landlords? What can decisively turn this situation around?

On Saturday, May 14, the Party for Socialism and Liberation will hold its second New England Conference on Socialism in Boston. Come learn about the alternative to capitalist exploitation—and what we can do to get there.

The conference will feature speakers, workshops, entertainment and discussion on a wide variety of topics ranging from the movements against war and occupation abroad to the attacks on working people at home. .

Join us for presentations and discussion on a number of topics, including:

* What is socialism and is it possible in the U.S.?

* Lessons from Wisconsin: Resisting the anti-worker offensive

* Fighting for jobs, education, housing, health care

* The Egyptian revolution & U.S. imperialism in the Middle East

* Overcoming racism and police brutality

* Fighting sexism, anti-LGBT bigotry and anti-immigrant attacks

* Cuba & Venezuela: Gains and challenges of socialist revolution

Info: Boston: (857) 334-5084, or boston@pslweb.org

Connecticut: (203) 416-8365, or ct@pslweb.org

Transportation from Connecticut to the conference is available.

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