AFT - Teachers! - Endorse Malloy (Not Pelto)

AFT Connecticut Endorses Malloy-Wyman Ticket for Re-Election

Governor Dan Malloy and Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman Receive Support of 29,000-Member Union for Respecting Workers’ Rights

Hartford, CT – Today, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Connecticut announced its endorsement of Governor Dan Malloy and Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman for re-election.

“AFT’s support is a testament to the progress we are making together in education, health care and public services,” said Governor Dan Malloy. "I firmly believe that teachers, health care professionals, and all workers should have the right to collectively bargain -- for good wages and benefits, due process and a voice at work. From the picket lines to the Capitol, we’ve stood together to protect workers’ rights and that won’t change. We won’t let Connecticut go down the dangerous path that GOP governors are leading states like Wisconsin down. I want to thank AFT for their support and for their hard work, day in and day out, to move Connecticut forward.”

“I am grateful to be working with AFT as we protect Connecticut’s working families. Honoring and supporting the voice of organized labor is a big part of how we continue to empower our working families, build our economy and provide our children with the best education possible,” said Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman. “We have more work to do, but we will continue to support our educators, health care professionals, public service employees, and all Connecticut workers as we continue our state’s progress. I am honored and thankful for AFT Connecticut’s endorsement.”

AFT Connecticut is a labor federation of over 29,000 teachers and school support staff, nurses and health care workers, higher education faculty and public service workers throughout the state. According to its website, AFT Connecticut supports candidates for public office who have a strong track record of fighting for workers’ rights, working-class families and the honoring of the right to collectively bargain.

Click here to view AFT’s endorsement release: http://aftct.org/node/31306

UAW - Cool Union - Makes a Grand Endorsement

United Auto Workers Endorse Governor Dan Malloy
& Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman for Re-Election

Farmington, CT – Today, United Auto Workers (UAW Region 9A) announced its endorsement of Governor Dan Malloy and Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman for re-election.

“Dan Malloy and Nancy Wyman are fighting to protect the rights of  union members by respecting the collective bargaining process and advancing all workers’ rights by passing legislation like paid sick leave. Since becoming Governor and Lieutenant Governor, Dan Malloy and Nancy Wyman have been responsive to the needs of our members and working people across the state,” said Region 9A Director Julie Kushner. "They are the clear choice this election year and are the progressive advocates that Connecticut’s workers and middle class families need.”

UAW is a progressive union whose commitment to social justice is unprecedented and dates back to the Civil Rights movement. The UAW endorses candidates for public office who have a proven track record of improving the lives of working families, fighting for the right to collective bargaining without retaliation or interference, and advocating for health care and good jobs for everyone.

“We need a governor who will continue to stand up for working class families – that’s Dan Malloy. I have seen my friends, neighbors and colleagues suffer when factories have closed in the past, but Dan Malloy has worked to make sure that Connecticut is growing jobs,” said Shawn Tripp, President of UAW Local 405, whose members work at Triumph in West Hartford. “I’m proud that Connecticut is leading the nation when it comes to progressive issues like raising the minimum wage to $10.10 and making sure everyone has access to affordable health insurance. Governors like Wisconsin's Scott Walker have attacked union workers like me, so I truly appreciate having a governor like Dan Malloy who respects me and my efforts to build a better life.”

UAW Region 9A has approximately 9,200 active and retired members in Connecticut. In addition to manufacturing, UAW members work in technical and office professional positions, higher education, gaming and legal services.

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.

 Ahhhhh.....May Day tomorrow!

Everyone move to the Left.

 The first Question is:
How can you be in 2 places at once when you aren't anywhere at all?

 
 The Firesign Theatre....well that should take some folks back,
way back,                                  way       way      way      back.

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<   Here's Wots Happ'nin' in Hartford

Please Join Us in Calling for and Increase in the Minimum Wage!

Wednesday
May 1st 12:00

CT State Capitol

North Steps

Join Governor Malloy, Lt. Governor Wyman, and faith, labor and legislative leaders as we stand together to call for an increase in Connecticut's minimum wage. 

As low-wage workers fall farther and farther behind, corporate lobbying groups such as ALEC push legislation to scale back wages ever further. Raising the minimum wage isn't just the right thing to do for working families struggling to make ends meet, it helps build a stronger, more stable local economy. 

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Here is Wots Happ'nin' in New Haven: 

Rally & March

Wed May 1st at 5 pm on the New Haven Green.
 Then...

<  Celebrate!
Sun May 5th 
at the People's World annual rally with a video of the march, May Day Around the World, and a panel of leaders in immigrant worker organizing, jobs pipeline, organizing for environmentally sustainable peacetime jobs in Connecticut, and labor-community neighborhood organizing.