"Our hearts go out to the family of Laborers Local 175 member, Dennis Robertson, who tragically lost his life on Wednesday in a workplace accident in Haverhill. Dennis Robertson went to work on Wednesday expecting to do his job and return home to his family for Thanksgiving, but instead this father of four is gone and his family shattered. We mourn for Robertson, his family and his union brothers and sisters. Our prayers are also with the other laborer who was involved in this accident, still in hospital with serious injuries. Please remember all who were touched by this tragedy in your thoughts and prayers during this holiday season."
Donations can be made to the Dennis Robertson's Children's Memorial Fund at 55 Union Street, Methuen, MA 01844.
The Harvard administration has failed to produce meaningful responses to Harvard Graduate Employees, members of UAW, so as of December 3rd, 2019, the graduate student workers are on strike over proposals for harassment and discrimination protections, comprehensive and affordable health care, and fair pay.
Join workers on the picket lines in Harvard Yard to fight for a better future for all student workers! Picketing continues daily from 8:30AM to 5:30PM in Cambridge, and from 8:30am-1:30pm every day in Longwood (text “hgsuuaw” to 99795 to receive picketing updates throughout the strike).
The Student Opportunity Act is now law. This is a huge victory for students, educators, communities and for racial and economic justice. When the new law is fully phased in, it will increase annual state funding for public education by $1.5 billion over inflation. Much of that money will go to low-income districts that have been left behind by our Commonwealth’s outdated and inequitable funding system.
Boston Teachers Union President, Jessica Tang said, “It’s about values to me. Do we believe that every child in public education deserves access not just to academics, but also other types of education beyond math and reading? If we do, we have to budget our staffing and schools for that.”
The Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health (MassCOSH) said the following in a statement:
“When a worker is killed on the job, it is incredibly rare that an employer is held responsible, despite knowingly putting their workers lives at risk,” said MassCOSHExecutive Director Jodi Sugerman-Brozan. “This case was even more egregious in that Kevin Otto and Atlantic Drain had already been issued multiple OSHA violations, had been placed in OSHA’s Severe Violator Enforcement Program, and even attempted to deceive investigators with falsified safety and health records after the tragic event. We hope the Mattocks and Higgins families get some peace from justice served.”
“[We are] glad there is coverage so the world will know that [Kelvin] did not die in vain and some good has come out of this,” said Melinda Mattocks-Ushry, sister of Kelvin Mattocks.
Please join nurses at an important, solemn event intended to remind Southcoast Hospitals Group of just how shortsighted their decision to close Tobey's maternity unit is. Visit the MNA's Facebook page for more information..
In June 2018 the White House announced proposals to privatize the Postal Service. Now Postmaster General Megan Brennan has announced her departure as Postmaster General in January 2020.
The Postmaster General has wide powers to shape the mission of USPS and there is a real risk that Brennan’s successor could hand over parts of the service to private, profit-making corporations and prepare it for a wholesale sell-off.
The people will rightly expect a new Postmaster General who will uphold the Postal Service’s public mission and will work to preserve and enhance our national treasure.
The Annual AFL-CIO Scholarship and Labor Education Program is in its 62nd year. Through the program, the Massachusetts AFL-CIO and affiliated unions are proud to award financial resources to high school students pursuing trade union programs or college/university study. The Massachusetts AFL-CIO administers half a million dollars of scholarship awards on behalf of unions and labor councils throughout the state. Individual awards range from $500 to $16,000. All high school seniors in Massachusetts are eligible to compete for an award.
Applications must be received by December 20th at 5pm. The exam will be administered on February 10, 2020.
As the holiday season is approaching our brothers and sisters across the labor movement in Massachusetts are working to ensure that as many children as possible have an enjoyable holiday season. UFCW 1459, Plumbers Local 12, and the Central MA AFL-CIO are engaged in toy drives to benefit families that are struggling during the holiday season. 1199 SEIU Organizer, Darrin Howell, is also organizing a similar effort through the Drive Boston campaign. Please click here for more information on Drive Boston, https://driveboston.org/toy-drive/.
The IBEW Local 103 Women’s Committee is holding their annual Hat, Glove and Scarf Drive. For each donation made, your name will be entered into a drawing to win a pair of tickets to an upcoming Bruins or Celtics Game. Contact the Women's Committee for more information.
If you would like more information about any of these programs please contact Kevin Brousseau at the MA AFL-CIO at kbrousseau@massaflcio.org or contact those organizations directly.
Events
December 7: Union Member Candidate School, Boston - last minute spots still available! December 7: Forging Pathways: 16th Annual Women's Solidarity Breakfast, Lynn
December 9: Building Pathways Information Session, Taunton December 11: Building Trades Futures Committee
December 12: Workers Art Center Celebration, New Bedford
December 16:Greater Southeastern Massachusetts Labor Council Holiday Party
December 16: Building Pathways Information Session, Taunton
