Striking workers at the Supervalu- owned Shaw’s Distribution Center in Methuen, Mass., have been marching from Methuen to Boston for justice since Sunday, May 23.

The 310 workers, members of UFCW Local 791, have been on strike since March 7 over the company’s insistence that the burden of increasing health care costs be borne by workers.

As a resident of Somerville, I chose to meet up with the strikers on their march from Medford to Somerville, the third day of their four-day journey. While we marched, the 50 or so workers and supporters enjoyed broad support from passing motorists, as well as cheers from many residents in the neighborhoods along the route.

It was easy to see how bringing the strike into the community gets people mobilized in different ways than just walking a picket line. All kinds of people get involved. I especially liked the opportunity to meet up with other labor activists from Somerville.

I also had a surprising connection with one of the

Continue reading Strikers March from Methuen to Boston to Win Justice at Shaw’s

On January 21, Boston community leaders and activists marched on Goldman Sachs to demand that Executive Bonuses be used to fund the Ellison Jobs Bill.  The amount of Goldman Sachs’ bonuses would cover more than half of the $30 billion jobs bill that would put unemployed people to work improving our communities.

Yesterday, Brown dining service workers voted to approve a new three-year contract that keeps health care affordable and includes 2% wage increases each year. 

Last night, the Providence City Council took a final vote to approve the Hospitality Business Protection and Worker Retention Ordinance.  The ordinance will require that hospitality businesses in the district, including the Dunkin’ Donuts Center, the Rhode Island Convention Center, Veterans Memorial Auditorium, and three hotels, retain employees for at least six months in the event of a sale or subcontract of the business and maintain the prevailing wage and health insurance standards.

These victories come as “the most dangerous woman in Rhode Island moves on” and as RI JwJ welcomes a new staff person.  We wish outgoing RI

Continue reading Update: Two Worker Victories in Providence

The Providence City Council, taking the first of two required votes, voted unanimously to approve an ordinance to protect against Hyatt-style subcontracting in the Providence Convention Center District.  The Hospitality Business Protection and Worker Retention Ordinance will require that hospitality businesses in the district retain employees for at least six months in the event of a sale or subcontract of the business and maintain the prevailing wage and health insurance standards.

Councilman Solomon introduced the legislation:

I am proud to be working to protect Providence workers from Hyatt-style layoffs. Our cities have invested massive public resources to build the tourism industry. In return tourism employers should provide good middle class jobs, whether at the Hyatt in Boston or the Convention

Continue reading Providence City Council Votes to Protect Against Hyatt-style Subcontracting

]]> http://www.jwjblog.org/2009/10/providence-city-council-votes-to-protect-against-hyatt-style-subcontracting/feed/ 0 http://www.jwjblog.org/2009/10/boston-workers-march-for-an-economy-that-works-for-everyone/ http://www.jwjblog.org/2009/10/boston-workers-march-for-an-economy-that-works-for-everyone/#comments Mon, 05 Oct 2009 20:44:14 +0000 rand wilson http://www.jwjblog.org/?p=593 The figures are staggering.  Unemployment is at 9.1 percent and new unemployment claims continue to increase.  By one measure, real unemployment and underemployment are double the official rate.  According to the Labor Department, job seekers now outnumber openings by six to one!

That’s why more than 1,000 union members, unemployed workers, students, clergy and community leaders came together for an October 1 march and rally to highlight the growing jobs crisis.  The group protested on the Boston Common, at Verizon’s New England headquarters and at the Hyatt Regency Hotel against a corporate agenda that has left far too many workers behind. 

Eighty labor and community groups sponsored the march and rally.  Accompanying the march was the IBEW Local 103 One Hundred and Third Drum and Bagpipe Band and the Somerville Second Line Social Aid and Pleasure Society Marching Band. 

The action also focused on how big banks have misused our tax dollars.  So far, few of the hundreds of billions in taxpayer money that went to the big banks have reached Main Street. Robert Haynes, President of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO said:

“Economic recovery isn’t

Continue reading Boston Workers March for an Economy That Works for Everyone

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