The Progressive Action Roundtable mission is to inform the greater New Haven community about the activities of many progressive groups, so that people may learn about them and become involved in discussions and actions on issues for the common good, such as peace, health, racial equity, justice, clean energy and the environment.
Unidad Latina en Acción is calling on activists to help plan this year’s May Day event. Come to the meetings and share your ideas for international solidarity and justice. Meetings are every Sunday through April at 4 p.m. at 37 Howe Street. For questions or info, call John at 203-606-3484.
by Rhoda Zahler Samuel, Jewish Historical Society
The 4th Annual Judith Ann Schiff Women’s History Program will take place at the New Haven Museum, on Sunday, March 1 at 2 p.m. In A Wonderful Struggle: Local Jewish Women in the Labor Movement, we will hear in person and on video from women who participated in the massive New Haven teachers strike of 1975 and in the historic victories of Yale University clerical and technical workers in 1983-84. They will describe the issues that motivated them to join the “wonderful struggle,” the difficulties they encountered, what helped them succeed, the results that followed the strikes and creation of new unions, and the ways these activities influenced their future work experiences. The program will be streaming on Facebook Live. In the case of inclement weather, the event will be recorded for social media. For more information and to register, please go to https://bit.ly/4ruFsQJ.
In the words of Edie Bartman Fishman, who was active in unions ranging from electrical workers to teachers: “Life is a struggle. But it’s a wonderful struggle when you’re fighting for the right things.” Our speakers include Joelle Fishman, talking about her mother, and Barbara Greenwood and Helene Sapadin who participated in the 1975 Teachers Strike in New Haven.
The New Haven Museum is located at 114 Whitney Ave. and is wheelchair accessible.
In the case of inclement weather, the event will be recorded for the Museum’s YouTube channel.
by Connecticut Working Families Party
The Connecticut Working Families Party (WFP) was built on a simple idea: When working people come together, we win. WFP helps elect transformational leaders who fight for fair wages, racial justice, immigrant rights, and a democracy that works for ALL of us—not just the wealthy few.
To keep that work independent and people-powered, we rely on dues-paying members. Any recurring gift—at any amount—makes you a member. Your dues help us train candidates, organize communities, and win elections for the working class. If you believe in a Connecticut where everyone can thrive, not just the elite—join us. https://tinyurl.com/9ww2zxhw.
Monday, Sept. 1, 12–3 p.m.
Connecticut State Capitol
210 Capitol Ave
Hartford, CT 06106
The billionaires continue to wage a cruel war on working people, with their cronies in the administration, ICE and law enforcement backing up their attacks. This Labor Day we will continue to stand strong, fighting for public schools over private profits, healthcare over hedge funds, shared prosperity over corporate politics.
Working people built this nation and we know how to take care of each other. We won’t back down—we will never stop fighting for our families and the rights and freedoms that ensure access to opportunity and a better life for all Americans. The billionaire’s time is up.
On Sept. 1 we will continue the movement we launched together on May 1st, standing in solidarity with all our communities under attack and fighting for real wins for all our people.
In thousands of communities around the country we encourage you to take a stand with us on Labor Day. On the streets, outside the offices of the corporate criminals who are behind the attacks on our freedoms and at congressional offices. Together we will demand a world that works for all of us.
OUR DEMANDS TO BUILD THE SOCIETY WE ALL DESERVE:
Please note: A core principle behind all our events is a commitment to nonviolent action. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values. Weapons of any kind, including those legally permitted, should not be brought to events.
by Zachary Groz, March 20, New Haven Independent
Carrying red, white, and blue signs reading “U.S. MAIL NOT FOR SALE” and chanting “Whose Post Office? The People’s Post Office,” roughly 15 U.S. postal workers marched down Elm Street to protest a recently announced Trump- and Musk-led effort to slash the service’s workforce and budget.
That rally took place Thursday afternoon outside the USPS Yale Station office at the corner of Elm and High streets.
The local postal workers and their allies showed up to speak out against a plan detailed in a letter that Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, a Trump I appointee who has headed the independent agency since summer 2020, wrote to Congress on March 13.
The letter announced that USPS has entered into an agreement with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to work on “identifying and achieving further efficiencies.”
Under the agreement, per DeJoy’s letter, USPS will be cutting 10,000 staff this month through early retirement buy-outs, skirting a no-layoff clause in the postal workers’ contract, and DOGE will be “reviewing” the agency’s retirement funds, worker’s comp program, unfunded mandates from Congress, and the parallel regulatory commission that sets the post office’s rates.
On Thursday, postal workers in more than 150 cities around the country took to the streets in a day of action to protest what they’re calling a full-on assault by the Trump administration to privatize and “destroy the Postal Service” under the auspices of cost-savings.
In New Haven, the protesters marched and chanted on Elm Street, as cars whizzed by honking their horns to encourage the rally on.
They circulated fliers with quick facts on the Post Office, which, the fliers read, is “enshrined in the U.S. Constitution” and “delivers to every address in the country” in contrast to for-profit delivery companies, who “will only go where they can make a profit.”
“Their ultimate goal is not necessarily to make things efficient but to turn it into a moneymaker,” said Marc Cesare, the president of Local 237 of the American Postal Workers Union. “Turning it into a moneymaker could mean closing down little post offices.”
Rich Neagle, the New Haven steward of the union, added that fighting to keep the Post Office intact as a “public service” uninterested in maximizing profit margins shouldn’t be “a partisan issue.” With major staffing and budget cuts, he said, will come longer delays, more lost mail, and higher costs…
[To read this article in its entirety, please go to https://bit.ly/4lds15d]
Unidad Latina en Acción
[PAR received the following press release. The Dec. 18, 2024, event happened as planned. ULA and its allies are organizing to protect CT’s immigrant residents.]
Mobilizations planned for Dec 18 as families prepare for what is to come
New Haven, CT – On Wednesday afternoon at 5:00 PM EST, immigrant-led organizations in CT will host a press conference and send a message to local officials, immigrant workers and families across the tri-state area. The activity is part of a grassroots day of action on December 18 when immigrants in multiple cities across the U.S. will participate in an “international day of action and solidarity with migrants.”
As the incoming Trump administration advances its threats of mass deportations, immigrant committees and worker centers are convening actions big and small to unify immigrant communities, local and national partners. In the face of the many attacks against indigenous migrant communities in NY and the threat of deportations by Donald Trump, Unidad Latina, Hamden Action NOW!, People’s Center, NDLON, NILC, Greater New Haven Peace Council, and CT Shortline Indivisible are anchoring the activity in New Haven, in collaboration with the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON). For more information about the activity in CT, email john@ulanewhaven.org.
“Our adversaries wish and expect our immigrant communities to disappear in the silence of the night. That is because they know nothing of our courage. But we know of the courage in our communities,” said Pablo Alvarado, Co-Executive Director of NDLON. “They want to instill fear in us, with their extremist rhetoric and policies. But all they will do is fan the flames of our indignation. And we will turn this indignation into action.”
John Jairo Lugo
Community Organizing Director, Unidad Latina en Accion
ulanewhaven.org
37 Howe St, New Haven, CT 06511
phone 203-606-3484
by Tyson Odermann & Christina Lee, Yale Daily News, April 10, 2024
After the university refused to meet union members’ demands for job security, more than 100 people rallied to support facilities workers across Connecticut. Over 300 people gathered at the University of New Haven to protest in support of Local 217 UNITE HERE, the union of Hospitality Workers across Connecticut.
The protest was against alleged union busting at the University of New Haven after UNH refused to guarantee job protection for its employees. Union workers, students and other allies of the facilities workers at UNH marched around the campus demanding job security after months of a stand-still with the university regarding contract negotiations. …
After the press conference, protesters began marching around the perimeter of the campus green. As they marched, they chanted, “If we don’t get it, shut it down.” …
[Article can be read in its entirety at www.yaledailynews.com/blog/2024/04/10/hundreds-rally-at-the-university-of-new-haven-to-support-local-217-2/]
by Connecticut People’s World Committee
In the midst of a national strike wave with thousands of workers standing up against income inequality and march-ing for housing rights, peace, and climate justice, the People’s World Amistad Awards will hold its annual awards rally on the theme, “It’s An Enough Is Enough Moment! Time to Organize!”
The awards ceremony will be held Saturday, December 9, 2023, at 4 p.m. at the historic First and Summerfield United Methodist Church, 425 College St., in New Haven, with a keepsake greeting book. The church is the home to union organizing, including Unite Here Local 34, celebrating its 40th anniversary. A donation of $10 is requested.
In a letter, the committee announced, “People’s World is honored to present the Amistad Award to three wonderful allies and working class champions. Together they represent the kind of unity, solidarity and vision needed to build the movement that can transform our country to put people, peace and planet before profits.”
The three awardees:
Sen. Gary Winfield, a fearless defender of racial, economic and social justice, is always in the forefront with groundbreaking legislation toward equity and a better life for his constituents and all working class people in our state and nation.
Stacie Harris-Byrdsong is the groundbreaking president of AFSCME Council 4 whose courage and leadership is so inspiring as a passionate representative of educators and the needs of children, for equity and economic justice.
Luis Luna is the Husky 4 Immigrants coalition manager whose leadership and dedication for the rights of immigrants as well as an organizer and communicator in many venues, inspires ordinary people to take collective action on their own behalf.
Performance by an Afro-reggae band led by Aklaff Pheeroan, world-renowned artist and outstanding contributor to African-American musical innovations and creative composition, will highlight the program, which is a family event.
The event will stand “IN SOLIDARITY” with the Recovery for All coalition and the Blake St. Tenants Union taking on corporate greed and shifting power to people’s needs and dreams.
This annual event is hosted on the occasion of the 104th anniversary of the Communist Party USA, in the spirit of building unity against racism, red-baiting and all forms of bigotry, and standing for workers rights, equality, peace, democracy, and a better world.
For more information, email ct-pww@pobox.com or visit actionnetwork.org/ticketed_events/2023-peoples-world-amistad-awards?clear_id=true.
Eric Goodman, Socialist Revolution New Haven
The picket line was set up before dawn on Friday, Sept. 1, 2023, by Teamsters Local 671 workers and their supporters. The atmosphere was tense as cars whizzed along Route 5 outside New Britain Transportation in the chilly air. A few scabs, drivers, and office workers hopped the curb before the picketers knew what was happening, but the line was soon extended to block all access. We marched, chanted, and drank coffee to stay warm while other Teamsters arrived from locals as far away as Boston.
Most of the school bus drivers on the line made less than $20/hour and were given fewer than 40 hours a week despite years of work. One woman described how they were given one unpaid bereavement day a year, and how if they took it they would lose an attendance bonus. Their job requires both a CDL and the patience of a saint, but they had reached their tolerance.
Ten or so police officers arrived on cue as the scab buses pulled up the driveway. Eighty-strong picketers formed a marching whirlpool to block the drivers. Some strikers broke off to variously cajole the scabs to turn off their vehicles and insult their integrity. The near-complete strike involved all but five or six drivers, who, I was informed, hardly ever showed up to work normally. How much was the betrayal of these Judases bought for?
We held them back for a good half an hour. “We’re letting two out!” yelled one of the union officials, and the police started shoving workers out of the way. “Get back! We talked to them!” A Teamster officer in a white fleece and khakis pinched my arm and pulled me back as I took my time getting away from a departing bus.
The wind went out of the strikers’ sails as first one more bus and then the rest of the buses were let through the line after perfunctory delays. Still, the strike had done its job. After one more day of striking, the triumphant drivers won a 6% wage increase and the company lost its district bussing contract. tsoc
Come to the New Haven Labor Center Saturday, April 29, 7 p.m. for The Wobblies. a 1979 documentary film about the Industrial Workers of the World. There will also be a slide show and presentation by Steve Thornton on the history of the Wobblies in Connecticut. Hosted by the Greater New Haven Labor History Association.
Recommended donation: $10. The building is wheelchair accessible. This event is in celebration of May Day 2023.
info@laborhistory.org. New Haven Labor Center, 267 Chapel St., Enter on 228 Saltonstall Ave.
by Frank Panzarella, CT Good Jobs for All Coalition
Activists and labor supporters around the country are once again working to create new full-employment legislation. I hope you all might find time to join in this effort in Connecticut.
Sen. Gary Winfield introduced SB 151, An Act Establishing a Full Employment Trust Fund, to the Labor and Public Employees Committee. The public hearing was held on Feb. 23.
Problem: Across the country, Americans have been struggling due to increased inflation, declining value of wages, and unemployment. As of October 2022, 81,406 Connecticut residents were unemployed.
Solution: SB 151, An Act Establishing a Full Employment Trust Fund. The purpose of this bill is to create a full employment trust fund that will create employment opportunities, job training programs, and recession-proof job creation in the following fields:
Green Jobs:
Please contact your state senator and representative and ask them to support this bill. In addition, help spread the word by letting others know. A sample email is below:
Dear ____,
The state legislature has introduced Bill SB 151 that could help establish guaranteed full employment in Connecticut. The bill aims to establish a full employment trust fund that would be used to create job training programs, employment opportunities, and workforce housing.
The Connecticut Jobs and Human Rights Taskforce needs your help! The bill was referred to the Labor and Public Employees Committee, which heard testimony Feb. 23. Please contact your state senator and representative, and let them know you support this bill.
Thank you.
Your Name
Address
Phone number
Email address