Support the Fast-Food Workers Strike

[click on this title to read full article] Fast-Food Workers Will Strike On August 29 — Here's What You Need to Know 

This link Courtesy of Jere Eaton at http://www.blackct.us/

© AP

“On what I’m earning right now you have to choose between paying your rent and eating the next day,” says 32 year-old Christopher Drumgold, a father of two who works at a McDonald’s in Detroit. His story, along with that of thousands of others, is finally coming to the spotlight as employees are mobilizing to say that their wages are unsustainable and unsupportive. According to the Census Bureau, the income threshold level for a family of four to be in poverty is $23,000. Yet the median pay for a fast-food worker is just about $18,500, based on a $9/hour payment — over $4,000 less than the poverty level.

Fast-food workers and labor groups are now calling for a $15/hour minimum wage and many are also asking for opportunities to unionize. Beginning with walk-outs in individual fast-food restaurants last year, the movement has progressed from the local to a national scale. A national strike by fast-food employees is set to take place on August 29.

Here are three important points to keep in mind about the fast-food worker strike.

1. The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour. This is the wage that many of the strikers receive. While the workers are demanding almost double the federal minimum wage, a request that almost no business person would immediately indulge, here is some more perspective regarding a livable wage.[... more at full article]

2. Fast-food employees are non-unionized. [...more at full article]

3. It is important to recognize the major demographics involved in the fast food industry. Jezebel highlights the main groups: “The average fast food worker is 28 years old. Two thirds of the industry's workforce is comprised of women; their average age is 32, and they are mostly women of color. The majority are supporting children and families on $7.50 minimum wage, no benefits, and few hours. (Few work full-time because the industry cuts work hours at 32 hours so they don't have to give benefits…).” While the economic situation is burdensome in isolation, the other marginalized identities of many fast-food workers have their own set of relevant challenges with daily living. [...more at full article]

Seriously, people. It will raise the cost of each not-so-happy meal by a few cents, but improve all of our lives and livelihood. Boy-and-Girl-cott all fast-food joints on Thursday to prove the point. Eat at your local food truck or small business restaurant instead.

GLAD to have Met You

Thank you Lee Swislow   Dear Tessa, My friend and colleague Lee Swislow has overseen GLAD with skill, finesse, and vision since 2005. Lee Swislow will retire as GLAD's Executive Director when she turns 65 next April. Lee will celebrate her 65th birthday next April, and when she does, she will also embark on a new adventure: retirement. Lee has led GLAD to major advances in LGBT rights, from the spread of marriage equality across New England to spearheading the fight to bring down the federal Defense of Marriage Act, to winning the right of transgender people to deduct transition-related medical expenses from their taxes, to name only a few recent victories. And if you've had the opportunity to talk to Lee over the past eight years, you know that she brings incredible wisdom, patience, and passion to her role in guiding GLAD's critical work. As I work with my fellow board members to plan a thoughtful search for our next Executive Director, I am both sad to see Lee go and excited for the future. Our next leader will guide GLAD into a new era, as we attack ongoing and vitally important issues, such as transgender rights, the quality of life of LGBTQ youth and elders, ending the scourge of HIV, and so much more. I know we will find exactly the right person to lead GLAD's next phase. And with the work of our dedicated, talented staff - and your invaluable ongoing support - we will continue our strong and steady progress toward our shared goal of equal justice under law for all. Fortunately, we have several more months to benefit from Lee's stellar leadership, and ample opportunity to express our gratitude for her years of incredible service. Please join me in thanking Lee for all she's done for GLAD and for our community - and in wishing her well as she prepares for this next adventure. Sincerely,   Dianne Phillips President, Board of Directors Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders

Electoral Bandwagon

There is an interesting thread of commonality occurring in the Chris Donovan campaign.

Traditionally, in the closing weeks prior to an election, you see a hunkering down. People prepare for all inevitabilities, although you (superstitiously) don't discuss it.
You say "When we win..."
Never "If we win..."
and there is an understanding that the careers of those in the campaign are on hold. No resumes go out and none come in. 

You wait, and breathe without noise.

The intriguing shift in the Congressional campaign of Chris Donovan seems to be an influx of people.

People from other states, even from across the country, heading into Connecticut to help during these final days and prep for the general election.

Photo of Cute Kid - not attributable

There are new members in the Chris Donovan for Congress campaign, true believers moving to Connecticut.

Bribed by Ice Cream. Photo from the Avon Patch.

And I don't mean the per diem hires of Dan Roberti   

 <

Oh Wait...That is Etsy Headquarters...

nor the unemployed students with free time helping out at Esty Headquarters     >

It turns out there are people driving their families and possessions into Connecticut like a reverse dust bowl migration. 

Nobody does that on a whim. Nobody does that on a dream. They do that because they heard of a promised land. 

They join in a movement they believe will win and go on to win more and win for the entire state of Connecticut.  

They are joining up so they can be on the team of a Progressive, Modern, Honest, Funny (very funny, actually), Hard Working champion of working people and the poor.

This is not your normal campaign. This is Your campaign.

Hop on the Fairness Dignity and Respect Bandwagon?
Yessirree. Count me IN!

 

Clip = CT Resident Nile Rogers and the fabulous Nick Lowe.

 

Ensuring Equality - Learn Your Rights

Implementing and Enforcing
the new Non-Discrimination law
Educational Session
October 26th
5:30 - 7:00 panel discussion
7:00 opportunity to chat!
Legislative Office Building
Room 2E
300 Capitol Avenue
Hartford, CT 06106
 

Guest Speaker-- Senator Beth Bye
Panel:
Jennifer Levi, GLAD
Alix Simonetti, CHRO
Cheryl Sharp, CHRO
 

A workshop about the new legal protections provided by the addition this year of gender identity or expression to Connecticut's non-discrimation law.

• LEARN what the new law covers and does not cover
  and 
• LEARN how to file a discrimination claim 

 Sponsored by: CT TransAdvocacy Coalition, Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, and CT Women's Education and Legal Fund

Connecticut Women's Education and Legal Fund
One Hartford Square West
Suite 1-300
Hartford, CT 06106

Jim Collins Foundation

The Jim Collins Foundation raises funds to provide grants to transgender individuals who need, but cannot afford, gender-confirming surgery. In May of this year, the Foundation awarded its first grant.

What great kindness.

It takes lots of small donations to raise enough money to help out even one person.  As I understand it, this surgery is not covered by insurance, most likely due to prejudice and an assumption that this is "elective" and "cosmetic".  In reality, this surgery will allow the recipient to live more fully as their true gender. 

Fundraisers are often held in places like the 168 York Street Cafe, down one flight in what is sometimes called "an English basement". Usually, people want some entertainment when they donate.

This week there will be an open mic night, with a featured headliner, as well as many exclamation marks!

OPEN MINDS...OPEN MIC!!!! WITH HEADLINER...KAT MULVANEY!

Saturday, August 6 at 8:00pm - August 7 at 1:00am
168 York Street Cafe at 168 York Street, New Haven, CT

Please come and join us for a night of local entertainment,
great people, good food, and strong drinks
...and it is all for a good cause!
Bring your talent or bring a friend!
The doors will open at 8...the show will start at 9.

Or - of course - you can just stay home and donate online instead.
Click here ya lazy but generous bum!

Duh.

 

New Pew Report Points to Gender Disparity in Jobs Recovery; In Sluggish Economic Recovery, Women Fare Worse than Men

A new report from the Pew Research Center highlights gender disparities in the rates men and women are gaining and losing jobs in the recession. Although men lost more jobs in the first two years of the financial implosion, the second wave of layoffs has hit women much harder.

“From the end of the recession in June 2009 through May 2011, men gained 768,000 jobs and lowered their unemployment rate by 1.1 percentage points to 9.5%,” the report says. “Women, by contrast, lost 218,000 jobs during the same period and their unemployment rate increased by 0.2 percentage points to 8.5%.” The Pew Research Center report, authored by senior researcher Rakesh Kochhar, is based on an analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data.  

“This trend is important to track because it breaks with historical recovery patterns and may have a significant impact on women’s overall ability to gain financial security as the nation moves out of the recession,” said Teresa C. Younger, executive director of The Permanent Commission on the Status of Women (PCSW), a research and policy arm of the General Assembly. “This is the first time since 1970 that women have fared worse than men in the years immediately following an economic downturn. Female employment in state government seems to be the exception; women have added jobs in this sector. But it’s of concern to us that in fields not traditionally populated by women and where women have made strides, such as manufacturing and finance, they are losing jobs at a faster rate. The PCSW is paying attention to this national trend and will be watching to see its impact, if any, on Connecticut women.”

Link to the Pew Research Center Report: “In Two Years of Economic Recovery, Women Lost Jobs, Men Found Them”

Previously noted:  June, 2011 post