Connecticut People Before Profits

U.S. Supreme Court Upholds Avery Workers' Rights in 10 Year Battle

noreply@blogger.com (Joelle Fishman) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:44:00 +0000

by Joelle Fishman

Reprinted from People's World daily on-line

Hartford, CT -- After a ten year battle, including a two and a half year strike, current and former nursing home workers at Avery Heights won a US Supreme Court ruling this week upholding the responsibility of the corporation to pay nearly $3.5 million in lost wages, interest and pensions. The ruling is being hailed by labor lawyers as precedent setting.

“We’ve waited a long time for justice,” said Herman Davies, Jr., who has worked in the Avery Heights housekeeping department since 1991. “Of course the money is important to us after all these years, but it’s even more important to see right win out over might.”

According to the NLRB’s estimate, Herman Davies’ share of that justice now comes to more than $75,000 in back pay and interest.

In November 1999, more than 180 members of District 1199 health care workers union went on strike against Church Homes, Inc., owner of Avery Heights, a 154-bed nursing home and affiliated assisted living facility with 500 residents.

During the strike, Church Homes secretly and illegally hired permanent replacement workers, deliberately concealing their intentions during contract negotiations. In response to charges filed by the union, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) ruled that Church Homes had “an independent unlawful motive in hiring” the permanent replacements and ordered that strikers be rehired with back pay.

Church Homes refused to comply, and the strike and picket lines continued for two and a half years. This was the longest strike in District 1199’s history. The labor action disrupted traffic at the busy intersection of New Britain and Newington Avenues, and drew national attention.

This week the sidewalks were filled again, as current and former Avery Heights workers gathered to announce their final legal victory. On October 13, 2009 the U. S. Supreme Court declined to overturn the NLRB decision that had twice been upheld in the Second Circuit Court of Appeals.

Church Homes has already paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to three Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) who were found to be illegally fired during the strike. On April 27, 2007 the NLRB ordered the corporation to pay a total of $286,411 in back wages and interest, and to make $45,459 in pension contributions on their behalf. Checks were issued to the workers and to the union’s Pension Fund on June 15, 2007.

“We knew that if we persisted, we’d prevail,” said Carmen Boudier, president of New England Health Care Employees Union, District 1199. “Justice is finally being done here but it took ten years to arrive – this country’s system of labor law is truly broken.”

The ruling underscores the significance of the labor movement's campaign to win labor law reform including the Employee Free Choice Act, which would protext workers' right to organize.

Labor law scholar Michael Wishnie, a professor at the Yale Law School, said “This decision has broad implications for national labor law. For years, employers have used their power to hire permanent replacements as an excuse to try to destroy unions. This decision means that when permanent replacements are hired as a pretext for union busting, they must be displaced by returning strikers, and that employers abuse this law at their real financial peril.”

Reaffirming School Integration

noreply@blogger.com (tom324) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:11:00 +0000

A national conference entitled "Reaffirming the Role of School Integration in K-12 Education Policy" will take place at Howard University School of Law in Washington, DC on November 13th, 2009.

The conference will bring together a wide range of government officials to converse with educators, parents, civil rights advocates and scholars who support racially and economically integrated K-12 public schools.

The conference participates will discuss:

* Current legal guidelines governing school integration

* The federal education budget and policies to promote K-12 school integration

* Using "Interdistrict" strategies to achieve integrated schools

* Programs linking housing opportunity to integrated schools

The cost of the conference is $ 50 General and $ 25 Students. Some scholarships are available for Hartford parents that include transportation and housing. Go to www.sheffmovent.org for more information. For general information about the conference see www.charleshamiltonhouston.org/Events/Event.aspx?id=100099.

Some of the sponsors include: NACCP Legal Defense and Education Fund, Inc., The ACLU Racial Justice Program, Poverty & Race Research Action Council and Howard University School of Law Education Rights Center.

By Tom Connolly

Healthcare Advocates Turn Out for Obama and Dodd

noreply@blogger.com (Joelle Fishman) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 02:10:00 +0000

Stamford, CT Oct 23, 2009 -- Healthcare, union and religious activists came together outside the Stamford Place Hilton Friday to welcome President Obama to Connecticut and rally in favor of a strong public option with no taxation of healthcare benefits. Obama was in Connecticut for a fundraiser for Senator Chris Dodd.

Across the street, Dump Dodd "teabaggers" carried signs demonizing President Obama and Senator Dodd, government healthcare and environmental protection.

In the traffic came many honks of support for healthcare reform, but the biggest cheers came from school buses with children pressed against the windows shouting, "Obama, Obama!"

The multi-racial healthcare reform supporters were a stark contrast to the all-white Dump Dodd crowd. Several families from Stamford who had never participated in a demonstration before came out to support the public option, joining with long time activists who had taken part in the national call-in day to Congress on October 20.

The Dump Dodd group has attempted to create hysteria in Connecticut by scapegoating Dodd for the Wall Street financial scandals. Seizing on this opportunity, the national Republican Party has named Dodd their number one target in 2010 in their attempt to re-take the Senate majority.

Dodd, with a lifetime pro-worker voting record over 90% has the strong support of organized labor. Picking up from where Sen. Kennedy left off, Dodd has the lead in committee negotiations on healthcare, and has pledged to stand firm for inclusion of a public option.

-- Joelle Fishman

Parents protest to improve Spanish Language Translation in Schools

noreply@blogger.com (Joelle Fishman) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 05:17:00 +0000

by Claudia Bosch and Megan Fountain

New Haven, Wednesday October 14 – The grassroots parent organization Teach Our Children (TOC) rallied at the Board of Education yesterday to protest the lack of translators at mandatory parent orientations. The New Haven Superintendent Dr. Reginald Mayo promised TOC in a meeting on August 5, 2009, that he would provide Spanish translators at parent orientations in every school, beginning in the 2009-2010 school year. The promise was not kept. At least nine schools had no translator at the orientation, according to a preliminary survey conducted by TOC.

Twenty parents, members of TOC, rallied outside the Board of Education with their children and community supporters, chanting “Tear down the wall, Translate for all!” and “Dr. Mayo don’t wait, Educate, Translate!” In order to demonstrate that parents were being left out, TOC entered the Board of Education public meeting with tape over their mouths.

Alberto Nieves, a TOC parent who was at the meeting with Dr. Mayo, testified to the Board of Education about his experience attending the parent orientation at his daughter’s school. “I was disappointed,” said Nieves. “Dr. Mayo had promised a translator, but there was none. The principal passed out a manual with basic information about school policies. It was in English only.” At Bishop Woods 17.3 % of students come from Spanish-speaking households.

Lack of translators should concern all parents, according to Claudia Bosch, a parent leader of TOC. “26% of New Haven students come from Spanish-speaking households,” said Bosch. “Thousands of children are missing out on educational opportunities, because their parents are not in communication with the school. How can New Haven become the best urban district in the nation if a quarter of the parents are being excluded by not providing necessary translation?”

“It’s unfortunate that we have to protest to make our voices heard, but we have tried all other channels,” says TOC parent Nilda Aponte, an organizer of the protest. In August the group was promised translation of the NHPS web page, which has been fulfilled, and translators at the orientations, which has not. Just before the demonstration the Superintendent scheduled another meeting with the group on October 19.

Eduquemos a Nuestros Hijos, una organización de base popular de padres de New Haven, Connecticut, se manifiesta al superintendente Reginald Mayo que mejore los servicios de traducción para padres hispanohablantes.

por Claudia Bosch and Megan Fountain

Jueves 14 de Octubre de 2009. New Haven. Eduquemos a Nuestros Hijos (TOC, por sus siglas en inglés) se presentó ayer ante la Junta de Educación para protestar por la falta de traductores en las reuniones orientativas obligatorias para padres. El Dr. Reginald Mayo, superintendente de New Haven, prometió a TOC en una reunión el 5 de agosto de 2009 que proveería traductores de español para las orientaciones de padres en cada escuela, empezando el curso 2009-2010. Esa promesa no se cumplió. Al menos nueve escuelas no tuvieron traductores en la orientación, según una encuesta preliminar realizada por TOC.

34 padres miembros de TOC y sus hijos se presentaron en la Junta, y 12 aliados de la comunidad les acompañaron. Para poner de manifiesto de modo visual el problema de la falta de comunicación, TOC entró a la Junta de Educación con la boca tapada.

Alberto Nieves, un padre líder de TOC que estuvo en la reunión con el Dr. Mayo, asistió a la orientación sin traducción de la escuela Bishop Woods. “Me siento defraudado”, dice Nieves, “El Dr. Mayo prometió un traductor, pero no hubo ninguno. El director de la escuela distribuyó un manual con información básica sobre la normativa de la escuela. Era sólo en inglés”. En la escuela Bishop Woods, el 17,3% de los estudiantes proviene de hogares hispanohablantes.

La falta de traductores debería preocupar a todos los padres, según Claudia Bosch, una madre líder de TOC. “El 26,2% de los estudiantes de New Haven proviene de hogares hispanohablantes”, dijo Bosch. “Miles de niños están perdiendo oportunidades educativas, porque sus padres no pueden comunicarse con la escuela. ¿Cómo va a convertirse New Haven en el mejor distrito urbano de la nación, si una cuarta parte de los padres está siendo excluida por no proporcionar la traducción necesaria?

Nieves, que también es hispanohablante y asiste a todos las reuniones de padres, está de acuerdo. “Cuando contemplo la diferencia de logros académicos que existe entre los estudiantes hispanos y no hispanos de New Haven, me enojo, porque nuestras escuelas pueden hacerlo mejor”, dice Nieves. “Hay muchos padres como yo, que quieren participar, que quieren informarse por sí mismos, y que quieren la mejor educación para sus hijos. Si hubiera traductores, todo el mundo saldría beneficiado”

“Es desafortunado que tengamos que protestar para hacer que se oigan nuestras voces, pero ya intentamos todas las otras vías”, dice Nilda Aponte, Líder de TOC. Los padres de TOC hablaron con varios administradores sobre la falta de traductores.

En Octubre de 2008, TOC convocó una reunión con 44 miembros de la comunicad, incluyendo a padres, curas y concejales, quienes urgieron al Dr. Carlos Torre, presidente actual de la Junta de Educación, a que se ocupara de la falta de servicios de traducción. “Todos nos dijeron que debíamos hablar con el superintendente”, dice Aponte, “de modo que, después de llamar su atención sobre el tema por casi un año, por fin obtuvimos una reunión con el superintendente en agosto de 2009. Le propusimos seis modos de mejorar el acceso a los padres hispanohablantes. Él nos prometió dos cosas: la traducción al español de la página web del NHPS, que sí se cumplió, y la presencia de traductores en las orientaciones, que no se llevó a cabo.”

La lista de propuestas mejoras también incluye la traducción al español de todos los documentos y boletines escolares, especialmente los que requieren la firma del padre; la traducción al español en las reuniones públicas de la Junta de Educación; la disponabilidad de interpretes en el sistema escolares y en cada escuela; y una guía telefónica de los interpretes que trabajen para el sistema escolar para que los padres puedan hacer citas con ellos.

TOC tiene la intención de continuar el diálogo con el Superintendente. Aponte explica, “Durante nuestra reunión el 5 de agosto, Dr. Mayo se prometió considerar las demás propuestas nuestras, desarollar un plan detallado, y reunirse otra vez con nosotros. Ayer nos dejó saber por correo electrónico que estaba disponible para reunirse con nosotros el lunes 19 de octubre. Estamos ansiosos por la implementación de nuestras propuestas. Continuaremos insistiendo en estos cambios hasta que todos los niños tengan igualdad de oportunidades en New Haven.”

Take Action for Health Care NOW

noreply@blogger.com (Joelle Fishman) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 03:55:00 +0000

From Healthcare4every1

he U.S. Senate will soon vote on a national health care reform bill.

Senator Joe Lieberman needs to hear from Connecticut residents NOW. He does not support inclusion of a strong public health insurance option in the Senate's health care reform bill.

A public health insurance option is a cornerstone of strong health care reform.

Strong national health care reform will boost bold state reform - such as Connecticut's SustiNet, which will provide a quality, affordable public health insurance choice.

Tell Senator Lieberman that we need his support for national health care reform that includes a strong public health insurance option.

Help make sure everyone has health care they can count on.

Please call Senator Lieberman today - toll free at: 1-877-264-4226.

Thank you!

Lynne Ide
healthcare4every1 Campaign Manager

From Health Care for America NOW!

It's a crime that insurance companies rack up profits by denying patients treatment even when doctors recommend it, by discriminating against people with pre-existing conditions, and by keeping premiums and out of pocket costs high so that care is unaffordable even for those who have insurance. Enough is enough!

Anti-care. Join us to thank Anthem CEO Larry Glasscock. Friday, Oct 16 - National Boss Day

Criminal. Expose the truth about CIGNA. Thursday, Oct 22.

Trick or Treat. Thursday, Oct 29. Halloween event at health insurance executives' homes

Info: 860-995-3389 or info@ccag.net

From Organizing for America

Good afternoon,

Health care bills will start to merge soon so we must let Congress know now how strongly we feel about the need for meaningful health insurance reform. Please help by participating in any of the following events some time in the next ten days:

Tuesday, October 13 6-8pm

Phone Bank for Health Care in Trumbull with Special Guest State Party Chair Nancy DiNardo

http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gpcx5w

Thursday October 15 6-8pm

Weekly Phone Bank for Health Care at Blue State Coffee in New Haven

http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gpkrvg

Saturday, October 17 9am-12noon

Camp OFA Training in Messaging, Phone Banking and Canvassing at OFA HQ in Hartford

http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/manage/gpc5j7

Saturday, October 17 12:30 - 4:30

Phone Bank for Health Care at OFA HQ in Hartford

http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gpkrvg

Tuesday October 20 6-8pm

Phone Bank for Health Care at OFA HQ in Hartford

http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gpc5dd

If you have any questions or would like to get involved in any other way, please let me know.

Thanks so much for all of your efforts - past, present and future!

Peace,

Jen Just

Connecticut State Director

Organizing for America

Email:OFAConnecticut@dnc.org

Phone: (203) 824-9775

United Health Group Insurance Company - Decleared a Crime Scene

noreply@blogger.com (tom324) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 23:46:00 +0000

Photo Above: Renae Reese lies "dead" at the crime scene in front of United Health Group insurance company to symbolize the over 44,000 people who die each year because they lack health insurance. [Click on photo for full screen]

The United Health Group insurance company, located at 450 Columbus Ave, in Hartford, was declared a crime scene today by Connecticut Health Care for America Now coalition made up of labor, community and faith-based organizations.

Photos Above: The Connecticut Health care for America Now coalition crime technicians taped off the United Health Group's building and entrance to declare it a crime scene.

The criminal actions of UnitedHealth Group is a matter of public record and includes:

* Its President/CEO has been allowed to accumulate over $1.6 billion in stock options.

* Its former CEO William McGire, resigned under scrutiny by government investigators and the US Senate and was given a multi-million dollar severance package.

* It has allowed its outside Board of Director members to cash in more than $160 million in stock options.

* It paid a record $ 7 million fine to the Securities Exchange Commission.

* It has a long history of securties fraud.

*It is a for-profit company that puts profits before health care.

ENOUGH!! It is past time for a public option and it is past time to take profit out of our health care system. How many more people have to die before Congress passes health insurance reform? Call your congress person now and demand health care reform and a public option! 1 (800) 603-7348.

Photo above: John Olson, President of the CT. AFL-CIO rallies the crowd to push for health care reform and a public option.

Other photos of the action below:

By Tom Connolly

Rep Courtney leads House members to oppose tax on health benefits

noreply@blogger.com (Joelle Fishman) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 20:04:00 +0000

Reprinted from Peoples World daily on-line

by Joelle Fishman
October 8 2009

Congressman Joe Courtney (D) from Connecticut's 2nd CD, announced today that 156 House members have signed a letter he initiated urging Speak of the House Nancy Pelosi to reject any excise tax on high-cost health care benefit plans. The letter, signed by more than 60 percent ofthe House Democratic Caucus, was delivered to the Speaker on Wednesday.

Rep. Courtney and the 156 cosigners express their opposition to the Senate Finance Committee's proposal to place a 40 percent excise tax on high-cost health care benefit plans, which the House members believe would be passed along by the insurers to working families and individuals. The letter was written in response to concerns voiced by labor and health care organizations in his district.

The letter was written in response to concerns voiced by labor and health participants in the annual luncheon of the Connecticut Alliance for Retired Americans (CT ARA) today cheered upon hearing that the letter had been submitted with 156 signatures gathered in a couple of days time.

The ARA activists went home to call Senator Joe Lieberman with the message that health care reform must include a public option, no taxes on benefits, and required employer participation.

A SustiNet Victory Party

noreply@blogger.com (tom324) — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 09:34:00 +0000

The SustiNet bill was passed by the Connecticut state legislature after a veto by Governor Rell, a Republican. The legislation creates the framework for a public health insurance option that has the potential to provide health care for everyone in Connecticut and is being called a national model.

[Photos above: Click on screen for full view. Pictures of the SustiNet Victory Party]

At a recent victory party hundreds of activist from around the state gathered in downtown Hartford to celebrated the SustiNet legislative victory. The coalition of labor, community, small business and faith based organizations fought the insurance industry, the Republican Governor, much of he Republican party and won! To top it off, the victory took place in Hartford, the insurance capitol of the world. Juan Figueroa, president of the Universal Health Care Foundation, thanked all parts of the coalition and said, "If we can get it done in the backyard of the insurance industry, we can finish the job together as a country."

There is an eleven member SustiNet board of directors that will report to the General Assembly in July of 2010 to outline an action program to provide health care for everyone in Connecticut. Enrollment in the program will begin in July 2012. If federal health care legislation is passed the Board of SustiNet will submit its recommendations to the General Assembly within 60 days. Go to healthcare4everyon1.org for further information.

By Tom Connolly

90th Anniversary Reception and Greeting Book, December 6, 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Joelle Fishman) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 22:35:00 +0000

Keep the Ball Rolling. . . . .
to win jobs with union rights, health care, peace and equality!

Reception and Greeting Book, December 6. 2009

We are delighted to announce the recipients of this year's Amistad Awards which will be presented by the People's Weekly World on Sunday, December 6 at our annual anniversary reception, "Keep the Ball Rolling....to win jobs with union rights, health care, peace and equality!" at 4 pm at the Peoples Center, 37 Howe Street, New Haven.

The historic election of 2008 presents a great challenge and opportunity to organize bigger, broader and wider than ever to achieve basic needs for working people. While right-wing demagogues depend on bigotry and fear, the hope and unity of labor and people's organizations are key to bring our country out of crisis. We celebrate the contributions and example of three grassroots leaders who are mobilizing for social change.

Art Perry inspires workers to stick together, organize and stand up for their rights on a daily basis as political director of SEIU 32 BJ Justice for Janitors, having started out as a rank and file worker himself with a vision for a better world

Anna Montalvo is in the forefront of the ongoing battle of municipal and private sector workers to save jobs and services and raise living standards, through member mobilization, community involvement and political activism as president of AFSCME Local 1522

Gwen Mills is devoted to building community labor alliances at the local level to win a grassroots community agenda, as political field director of UNITE HERE in Connecticut and Rhode Island..

We invite you to renew your participation in our annual greeting book to recognize the recipients and honor those who have gone before. The deadline is November 20, 2009. Please return the clip-off below.

The reception is hosted by the People's Weekly World in Connecticut on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the Communist Party USA.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
GREETING BOOK:
Enclosed is $_________ for a message in the 90th Anniversary Greeting Book
Centerspread $350 / full page $125 / half page $65 / Quarter page $35 / Name $10
MESSAGE:

TICKETS:
Enclosed is $__________ for tickets at $10 each

Name____________________________Phone / e-mail____________________________________________________l

Street Address________________________________________City / State / Zip______________________________
Please return by November 20, 2009. Checks payable to People's Weekly World.
37 Howe St, New Haven CT 06511 e-mail: ct-pww@pobox.com Phone: 203-624-8664

Machinists File Lawsuit to Save Jobs

noreply@blogger.com (Joelle Fishman) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:49:00 +0000

by Joelle Fishman

Reprinted from People's Weekly World Online 9/24/09

HARTFORD, Conn. -- Workers, elected officials and the entire labor movement are rallying to the aid of International Association of Machinists District 26 in their efforts, including a lawsuit, to save 1,050 jobs at two profitable Pratt & Whitney repair facilities in Connecticut. Parent company United Technologies (UTC) plans to outsource the jobs to Singapore and Japan where universal health care reduces labor costs.

"This is pure corporate greed. They just want to make more money," said one of the workers at the recent Connecticut AFL-CIO convention. Anger is high on the shop floor and workers are mobilized. Despite the millions of dollars the two operations have made for P&W and UTC, the company says it is moving for even higher profits.

After weeks of talks in which the union offered major concessions to keep the jobs in Connecticut, the company, which produces and maintains jet engines for commercial and military aircraft, announced it would not change its plans. The repair facility in Cheshire is slated to close by 2011 and a smaller repair unit in East Hartford is slated to close next year.

A "Workplace Guarantees Clause" in the union contract requires the company to meet with the union and make every reasonable effort to preserve work. The lawsuit has been filed on the basis that the company's decision was made prior to those talks.

In 1999 the IAM won a similar suit to save parts repair work in the East Hartford plant. In a dramatic result, trucks on their way to Texas had to turn around and replace the equipment in the East Hartford plant, where the work continues today. Union leaders say they expect to win this lawsuit as well.

State Treasurer Denise Nappier has called upon the top executives at UTC to reduce their compensation to save the 1,050 jobs at Pratt and the probable 5,000 additional jobs that would be lost in a ripple effect. She said the $20 million additional savings the corporation is seeking can be found in the $70 million compensation received by the company's top five executives in 2008.

During negotiations the union offered $80 million in wage cuts and other savings to the company and the State of Connecticut offered $100 million in assistance over five years.

On Sept. 22 union leaders were joined by Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal at a press conference announcing the legal challenge to stop Pratt's plans to eliminate the Connecticut repair shop jobs. They emphasized that the company had apparently made its decision prior to the meet-and-confer process and never seriously considered any other alternatives.

At the biennial convention of the Connecticut AFL-CIO earlier this month, a resolution of solidarity was unanimously passed, calling for an investigation into the flight of capital. To revitalize manufacturing in this country, the resolution urged support for the TRADE Act introduced to Congress this year, which would set new rules for U.S. trade pacts including enforceable labor standards.

Speaking from the floor, IAM leader Bill Shortell said this latest attempt to take a third of the remaining workforce out of the state and country by a profitable company receiving government contracts is being opposed by the entire congressional delegation. "We need legislative tools," he said. "The multinationals have no nation. The Trade Act must be passed. Corporations must be controlled."

Ron Front, who works in the Middletown P&W plant, emphasized, "This affects every single one of us. We have to stop them now. Sending work overseas is unacceptable."

Sal Luciano, president of AFSCME Council 4, called for a strong message to the company. He said, "Pratt & Whitney is threatening to take the jobs to Japan and Singapore. Both have universal health care. It is happening to the rest of us, cutting down to the bottom."

The convention also unanimously passed a resolution in support of single-payer health care and held a rally demanding passage of health care reform with a public option.

Health Care for America Now Rally - Put People Before Profits!

noreply@blogger.com (tom324) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:04:00 +0000

At a rally in front of the insurance giant, Aetna, demonstrators demanded a public option to be part of the national health care legislation. The rally was one of 150 rallies throughout the United States that took place on September 22.

Photo Above: Part of the rally picket line in front of the Aetna home office in Hartford.

Big health insurance companies like Aetna are spending $641,000 a day to oppose reform because they profit by keeping the system as it is...by denying claims, raising premiums, imposing co-pays and deductibles at will, making health care decisions instead of our doctors, and denying care because of pre-existing conditions.

Ron Williams, the Aetna CEO, made 24.3 million dollars last year and Aetna generated $31.6 billion dollars in revenue from 19 million customers. Enough!! It is time to put PEOPLE BEFORE PROFITS! At the conclusion of the rally an Aetna representative was presented with a list of demands that included:

* Insuring doctors rights to determine the health care of patients.
* Aetna stop denying coverage based on pre-existing medical conditions
* Stop giving incentives to employees for denying care and rejecting claims and
* Stop using consumers money to block health care reform

Other photos follow:

Photo above: Art Perry, center, represented a greedy CEO of the insurance industry who is making million while denying health care claims of million of consumers.

Photo above: 90 year ole Stella Keminski, in the wheelchair, demands a public option now!

Photo above: Amy Thompson, mother in center of photo with three children, has been denied medical care by her insurance company.

Photo above: Dorothy Strong, at the mic, and Diane Chapman from the New England Health Care Employees Union, District 1199, SEIU speak out for health care reform. They provide daily living assistance to individuals who are developmentally disabled and need 24 hours assistance.

Photo above: Members of SEIU 32BJ who attended the rally demanding a public option now!

Photo above: Members of the new organization, "Connecticut Nurses 4 Health Care Reform," attended the rally with Dr. Stephen Smith.

Photo above: Ray Elling, who has difficulty walking, summarized the sentiment of the rally with the sign "HUMAN NEED not COOPERATE GREED. We DEMAND an authentic PUBLIC OPTION!"

By Tom Connolly

Budget Victory!! The Millionaires Tax

noreply@blogger.com (tom324) — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 15:39:00 +0000

After a long and hard fought fight over the state budget the Democratic leadership in the House and Senate, and a labor-community coalition, came away with an important victory. They passed a millionaires tax over Governor Rell's objection. Connecticut was one of only two states without a budget until it was recently passed.

Governor Rell, a Republican, adamantly refused to tax the wealth in Connecticut even though our state is one of the richest states in America. She chose to attack state services, children's services, people with disabilities, education and health care. Even after the state workers gave up almost 800 million dollars in concessions she still refused to tax the rich.

While Governor Rell's cuts will cause untold pain for working people and vulnerable groups in Connecticut, the millionaires tax is one very important victory. It establishes the precedent that the rich should pay their fair share of taxes and somewhat reduces the impact of Rell's cuts.

You can see examples of the peoples fight back in blog entry Aug. 25th and July 10th below.

By Tom Connolly

Public Option for Health Care On the Move

noreply@blogger.com (tom324) — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:35:00 +0000

Photo Above: Hundreds of people gathered to support national health care that includes a public option outside before Congressman Larson's hearing on health care in West Hartford, Connecticut. [Click on the photo for full screen]

The message was clear. Put people before profits and pass a national public option for health care. The supporters for the public option far outnumbered the opposition. There are about 46 million Americans without health insurance and millions more are one lay-off slip away from losing their health care.

Congressman Larson and Senator Dodd are two leaders in the fight for a public option. The entire Connecticut delegation with the exception of Senator Lieberman is in support of a public option.

Call your Congressional representative and Senator Dodd and thank them for leading the fight for the public option. Call Senator Lieberman and demand that he support a public option now!
Link to phone numbers:

http://www.ctpartnershiphousing.com/images/stories/PDF/federal_housing_staff.pdf

Top Five Health Care Reform Lies—and How to Fight Back

http://pol.moveon.org/truth/lies.html

See other photo's below.

Photo above: ..Hartford Community Activist Chorus rallies the crowd.

Photo above: John Olson, President of the Connecticut of the AFC-CIO speaks out for the public option.

Photo above: Nancy Burton, a nurse-midwife, spoke about how the current health care system negatively impacts clients and the need for a public option.

By Tom Connolly

Children Get Harmed While Governor Rell Defends the Rich

noreply@blogger.com (tom324) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 00:53:00 +0000

............"WHAT ABOUT THE CHILDREN GOVERNOR RELL?"
[Click on photos for full screen]

Photo above: Children, parents, and supporters rally at the state capitol on Aug. 25th to highlight how the Governor's cuts have harmed children. Children enrolled in Head Start, School Readiness and Family Resource Center programs have been hardest hit.

In an open letter to the Governor and members of the Connecticut General Assembly the Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance noted in part: "For the sake of Connecticut's children, we respectfully ask that all direct service early childhood programs (School Readiness, Head Start, State Funded Centers, Care 4 Kids and Family Resource Centers) are kept whole, whether in a negotiated budget or, in lieu of a budget, in the September monthly allotment.

An example of the cuts in the Head Start program include:

* One or more classrooms have closed at 7 program sites, affecting almost 200 children and resulting in layoffs of at least 2-3 staff members in each closed classroom.
* At least 3 more classrooms, serving 60 children, will close if there is no state funding in September.

The Family Resource Centers (FRCs), located in public school buildings, offer parent education and training, child care, literacy programs, screening of young children for developmental delays as well as other vital services. As a direct result of lack of state funding,

* At least 8 FRCs (12% of all FRCs) have closed.
* At least 33 staff of 13 FRCs have been laid off.
* At least 17 FRCs have dramatically reduced programming by decreasing slots, shortening program length or terminating programs.

Photo Above: Tawana Bourne, holding one of her children at the mic, is a single parent. She spoke forcefully in support of The Head Start program that allows her to go to work so she can support her family. Speaker of the House Chris Donovan is standing at her right and Sen. President Donald Williams is in the foreground.

As Governor Rell continues to protect the rich in Connecticut, she cuts services to children, working people, and our most vulnerable citizens. In Connecticut the richest 1% of taxpayers only pay 4.7 percent in state tax while a middle income family pays 10.2 percent and a low income family pays 10.9 percent of their income in taxes.

Connecticut remains one of the wealthiest states in the United States. Governor Rell has adamantly refused to increase taxes on the rich, even a modest amount, to help close the budget gap. Without additional state funding further harm to programs serving working people and our most vulnerable citizens will continue.

Call Governor Rell's office today and tell her to support early care and education programs that serve children throughout Connecticut. Ask her to end the state budget impasse by supporting a progressive income tax that requires our state's wealthiest residents to pay their fair share of taxes. Call the Governor's office at: Toll-free: 800-406-1527 or Local: 860-566-4840.

By Tom Connolly

HOW DO YOU SPELL UNION BUSTING? ..... "A-D-A-M-O-W-S-K-I"

noreply@blogger.com (tom324) — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 02:16:00 +0000

[Click on picture for full screen] The sign being held up states: "Adamowski is a union buster and needs to go back to where he came from."

Hundreds of Hartford Federation of Teachers [HFT] members and their supporters rally to stop the union busting tactics of Dr. Adamowski, Hartford's Superintendent of Schools. Andrea Johnson, President of the HFT, noted that Adamowski hired the law firm of Shipman & Goodwin in an attempt to place the Hartford Federation of Teachers in a spin that he hopes will cause its demise.

For decades the Hartford Federation of Teachers negotiated a contract that allows for three Hartford Federation of Teachers officers to remain as paid staff, with benefits, while serving as elected representatives of the HFT. The union has reimbursed the Board of Education for 70 per cent of that cost.

The president of the HFT, Andrea Johnson, and two other officers of the union received a letter from the school administration dated July 29th that stated in part: "...recent discoveries regarding the potential illegality of the detached duty provision of the contract, effective August 24, 2009, your leave will be viewed as an unpaid leave..."

Simply put, the three full time leadership positions of the HFT will be eliminated. The president of the union and the two other union officials will lose all salary and benefits unless they return to a regular teaching position. That is a clear violation of the union contract and an attempt to BUST THE UNION.

It was reported that the law firm, Shipman & Goodman, hired by the administration to help bust the union, is receiving $ 750.00 an hour. Larry Deutsch, a Working Families Party city council member, asked the Superintendent and the Board of Education where the money is coming from to pay the law firm. He was met with dead silence. Other speakers at the Board meeting blasted the superintendent for his union busting activities.

Below are some photos of the demonstration.

Photo above: Andrea Johnson, President of the HFT, [holding the bull horn] address the crowd.

Photo above: John Olson, President of the Connecticut AFT-CIO offers vocal support for the HFT. Photo above: The picket line outside of the Board of Education before the meeting.

By Tom Connolly

"Billionairs for Budget Cuts" Video

noreply@blogger.com (tom324) — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 01:12:00 +0000

Check the following link to see a recent "Billionaires for Budget Cuts" event at the Governor's mansion in Hartford.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrUk13djmFw

Sen. Joe Lieberman - Health Care Reform and Right-Wing Lies

noreply@blogger.com (tom324) — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 19:11:00 +0000

Senator Joe Lieberman is the ONLY member of the Connecticut delegation that has not committed to a public option for health care reform.

Can you call Senator Joe Lieberman right away? Tell him that you, along with the majority of Americans, strongly support a public health insurance option—it's the heart of real reform.
Here's where to call:

Senator Joe LiebermanHartford District Office: 860-549-8463

Below are the top five right-wing lies about health care reform and how to fight back.
From: MoveOn.com Aug. 12

Lie #1: President Obama wants to euthanize your grandma!!!
The truth: These accusations—of "death panels" and forced euthanasia—are, of course, flatly untrue. As an article from the Associated Press puts it: "No 'death panel' in health care bill." What's the real deal? Reform legislation includes a provision, supported by the AARP, to offer senior citizens access to a professional medical counselor who will provide them with information on preparing a living will and other issues facing older Americans.

Lie #2: Democrats are going to outlaw private insurance and force you into a government plan!!!
The truth: With reform, choices will increase, not decrease. Obama's reform plans will create a health insurance exchange, a one-stop shopping marketplace for affordable, high-quality insurance options. Included in the exchange is the public health insurance option—a nationwide plan with a broad network of providers—that will operate alongside private insurance companies, injecting competition into the market to drive quality up and costs down.
If you're happy with your coverage and doctors, you can keep them. But the new public plan will expand choices to millions of businesses or individuals who choose to opt into it, including many who simply can't afford health care now.

Lie #3: President Obama wants to implement Soviet-style rationing!!!
The truth: Health care reform will expand access to high-quality health insurance, and give individuals, families, and businesses more choices for coverage. Right now, big corporations decide whether to give you coverage, what doctors you get to see, and whether a particular procedure or medicine is covered—that is rationed care. And a big part of reform is to stop that.
Health care reform will do away with some of the most nefarious aspects of this rationing: discrimination for pre-existing conditions, insurers that cancel coverage when you get sick, gender discrimination, and lifetime and yearly limits on coverage. And outside of that, as noted above, reform will increase insurance options, not force anyone into a rationed situation.

Lie #4: Obama is secretly plotting to cut senior citizens' Medicare benefits!!!

The truth: Health care reform plans will not reduce Medicare benefits. Reform includes savings from Medicare that are unrelated to patient care—in fact, the savings comes from cutting billions of dollars in overpayments to insurance companies and eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse.

Lie #5: Obama's health care plan will bankrupt America!!!
The truth: We need health care reform now in order to prevent bankruptcy—to control spiraling costs that affect individuals, families, small businesses, and the American economy.
Right now, we spend more than $2 trillion dollars a year on health care. The average family premium is projected to rise to over $22,000 in the next decade—and each year, nearly a million people face bankruptcy because of medical expenses. Reform, with an affordable, high-quality public option that can spur competition, is necessary to bring down skyrocketing costs. Also, President Obama's reform plans would be fully paid for over 10 years and not add a penny to the deficit.

We're closer to real health care reform than we've ever been—and the next few weeks will decide whether it happens. We need to make sure the truth about health care reform is spread far and wide to combat right wing lies.

Posted by Tom Connolly

"Billionairs for Budget Cuts" Action Today

noreply@blogger.com (tom324) — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 21:07:00 +0000

.........."Billionaires for Budget Cuts" on the steps of the State Capitol today.
[Click on the picture for full screen view]

The "Billionaires" marched and drove in their limos down Capitol Avenue today to thank Governor Rell for NOT TAXING THE RICH and CUTTING SERVICES to working people and our most vulnerable citizens. While the staged event was a spoof it carried a very serious message. If Governor Rell continues to refuse to tax the rich and close corporate loopholes thousands and thousands of our citizens will be hurt while the rich continue to live their high class lifestyle.

The Governor is scheduled to release her new budget proposal later today that is expected to continue her goal of cutting services to working people and our most vulnerable citizens.

The following is a picture gallery of today's event.

Four limos, transporting the "billionaires," slowly drove down Capitol Ave. with a police escort.

Two "billionairs" holding their sign with their rally call, "Billionaires for Budget Cuts," led the possion of limos. The "billionaires" arrive at the steps of the state capitol.

The "Billionaires" gather on the steps of the State Capitol with their signs.

"Billionaire" speakers thank Governor Rell for her willingness to cut services to working people and our most vulnerable citizens.

In an article today in CapitolWatch, sponsored by the Hartford Courant, it stated that the West Hartford Republic Town Committee said it "uncovered something 'even more disturbing:" the Billionaires for Budget Cuts protest is being hyped on the website of the Communist Party of Connecticut." That would be us.

Quick note to Governor Rell and the Republican State Committee who joined in on the anti-communist rant to try to dodge the real issues: We know which side you are on. The billionaires, millionaires, and large corporations. When push comes to shove on critical issues those are your guys. Those are the very same guys that got us into this financial mess.

Our slogan is "People Before Profits" so we understand why you are so disturbed by our publicizing the event. We join in coalition with many others who are fighting for peace, justice, and equality and are very proud of our efforts. Unlike you, we get NO corporate funding!

By Tom Connolly

Governor Rell's Approval Rating drops in Response to Strong SEBAC Criticism and Ad Campaign

noreply@blogger.com (tom324) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 09:57:00 +0000

[Note: The coalition of labor and community organizations is sponsoring a street theater event, "Billionaires for Budget Cuts," on Thursday, July 30, 2009 at the State Capitol - 12 Noon. DON'T MISS IT! See the July 21st blog entery below.]

The following article is from the In This Together Ct coalition.

Today, the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute released new approval rating numbers for Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell. Now at a 65 percent approval rating, the Q-Poll notes that this is the first time in over five years that the Governor’s rating has dipped below 70 percent.

“I am not surprised that her approval numbers are beginning to drop,” said Ron McLellan, the President of CEUI/SEIU Local 511. “Until this economic crisis, Governor Rell could hide her allegiance to big corporations and Connecticut’s wealthiest citizens. But now, when the difficult decisions must be made, she has taken money from services that protect the middle-class and that support the most vulnerable among us — all so that the rich and big businesses don’t have to sacrifice.”

In spite of the Governor’s refusal to raise taxes on the wealthy, the Q-Poll shows that 71% of voters support “raising the state income tax for individuals making at least $265,000 per year and couples making at least $500,000.” The poll also finds that 55% of voters reject the “argument that raising taxes will force wealthier residents to move out of Connecticut.” A majority of voters also support raising taxes on corporations.

“Governor Rell’s budget and Executive Orders balance the deficit on the backs of Connecticut’s low-wage families and vulnerable individuals. The Governor does not ask our wealthiest households and corporations to step up to the plate and be part of the solution,” said Maggie Adair, Policy Director for Connecticut Association for Human Services, an organization that works to end poverty and empower families. “Her budget priorities do not reflect the opinion of Connecticut’s residents, who overwhelmingly support increasing the income tax on our highest wage earners. It’s time for policy makers to listen to the people and ask our wealthiest citizens to pay a little more to keep families healthy and safe.”

In February, the State Employees Bargaining Agent Coalition (SEBAC) launched an aggressive television campaign that was designed to educate the public about the Governor’s budget priorities and to hold her accountable for her budget decisions.

“Another example of misplaced priorities is that the Governor wants to close vocational technical schools,” said Rick Tanasi, President of the State Vocational Federation of Teachers, AFT Connecticut. “It’s disappointing, but it’s also extremely short-sighted. Education is key to our economic recovery. Educational opportunities help families become and remain self-sufficient and an educated workforce will attract employers to our state.”

SEBAC and advocacy organizations like Better Choices for Connecticut vowed to continue their public awareness campaign in the upcoming months and into the gubernatorial election season.

CEUI/SEIU and AFT Connecticut are two of the thirteen unions in SEBAC, which serves to unite approximately 50,000 Connecticut State public service workers to address issues of common concern. To learn more about the coalition’s campaign for a fair budget and view the video of their latest TV ad, visit http://www.inthistogetherct.org/.

Posted by Tom Connolly

Billionairs for Budget Cuts!

noreply@blogger.com (tom324) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 23:34:00 +0000

Governor Rell continues to refuse to consider a fair budget by taxing the rich and closing corporate loopholes. She continues to insist on cutting services.

The coalition of labor and community organizations is sponsoring a street theater action [Billionaires for Budget Cuts] on Thursday, July 30, 2009 at the State Capitol - 12 Noon. It should only be about a 30 minute action. It would be helpful if you could attend and get dressed up like a billionaire. I am not sure what they wear but you get the idea, and please bring friends.

If you have questions please call 860-313-0439.

Together we will make a difference!

By Tom Connolly

VICTORIES!! and TAX THE RICH!

noreply@blogger.com (tom324) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 08:24:00 +0000

[Picture above] One of the numerous actions that helped result in the override of Governor Rell's veto of the SustiNet bill on Monday, July 20, 2009.

The SustiNet health care bill and funding for health care for the children of the 32BJ union won approval by the General Assembly's Democratic majority. They over road Governor Rell's vetoes. The 32BJ bill allows 600 state janitors and their families to keep their health insurance under the Standard Wage Law. [See the July 16 blog entry below]

These overrides are a tremendous VICTORY for the working people of Connecticut. It was a real people's street fight to get these victories. Numerous rallies, phone calls, personal visits to legislators, emails, and letters to editor, all made the difference. The Democratic leadership listened and fought for these victories.

Unfortunately, the Healthcare Partnership [Also know as the "Pooling bill"] failed in the Senate by one vote. Senator Hartley, a Democrat from Waterbury, left the Senate floor but was in the state Capitol when the vote took place. When asked why she failed to vote on the bill she parroted Governor Rell's and the Republican line, " I think the state of Connecticut cannot afford it at this time."

On Monday, July 20, Governor Rell sent out a statement noting in part, "I remain particularly concerned about the fiscal impact of the SustiNet Bill...The simple fact is that the families and employers of Connecticut cannot afford the new taxes that will be required by this new program."

HELLO GOVERNOR RELL -- Here is a simple message from the working families and the most venerable citizen's of Connecticut. "You are right, we can't afford more taxes!" So

...............TAX THE RICH!!!

The wealthiest tax payers in Connecticut now pay about 4 % of their income in taxes while middle and low income people pay about 10 percent. Governor Rell continues to refuse to tax the rich and close corporate loopholes to deal with Connecticut's budget deficit but is willing to cut services to our working people and our most venerable citizen's.

Celebrate the victories and continue the fight for a fair budget in Connecticut -- TAX THE RICH!

By Tom Connolly

32 BJ Rally for Health Care and July 20th Lobby Day

noreply@blogger.com (tom324) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 17:43:00 +0000

A rally held by local 32 BJ at the State Capitol on July 15th put a face to the thousands of families in Connecticut without health care. Below are four of the approximately 150 children that will lose their health care as a result of Governor Rell's poison pen veto. The children's parents are janitors that clean State buildings. Governor Rell vetoed bill HB 6502 that would have continued to provide health care for these children. The override vote will be held on Monday July 20th.

[Photo above: Four of children who will lost their health care unless the legislators override Governor "Poison Pen" Rell's veto of HB 6502 on Monday, July 20. [Click on picture for full screen view]

Also scheduled for override of "poison pen" Rell's votes are the SustiNet health care bill and the health care Pooling bill that would promote health call for all.

MONDAY, JULY 20TH IS LABOR LOBBY DAY AT THE STATE CAPITOL

On Monday, July 20th, the SEIU State Council, CCAG and other labor and community groups will coordinate a concentrated lobby day to connect members with individual lawmakers to urge them to override Governor Rell's veto of three health care reform, bills. The bills are: HB 6502 that would provide health care for 32 BJ janitors children, the SustiNet health care bill, and the health care Pooling bill. The lobbing effort will go from 10 AM to 6:30 PM.

If you can not come to the State capitol, contact you State Representative and Senator today and ask them to override Governor Rell's health care vetoes!

House of Representatives: Democrats: 860-240-8500 Toll Free: 1-800-842-8267 Republicans: 860-240-8700 Toll Free: 1-800-842-1423

State Senators: Democrats: 860-240-8600 Toll Free: 1-800-842-1424 Republicans: 860-240-8800 Toll Free: 1800-842-1424

Other photo's from the 32 BJ Rally follow.

Photo above is Diana Cololado. Diana is holding a picture of her two children. She is a 32 BJ union member and had just finished her shift cleaning State buildings. Her daughter has sugar diabetes and will lose her health care in two weeks unless the legislators override Governor Rell's veto.

....Kurt Westly, 32 BJ District Leader for Connecticut rallies the crowd.

Speaker of the House Chris Donovan, wearing a 32 BJ janitor's shirt, spoke passionately to the members of 32 BJ. Chris has been a staunch support of 32 BJ and health care for all.

........FROM THE SustiNet COALITON

[Click of photo for full screen view]

Please read & forward. On July 8, Gov. Rell vetoed SustiNet.

She ignored the needs of the state's hard working people and instead chose to side with the vested interests of insurance companies -- like Anthem which has asked for an increase in premiums as much as 32% for some individual policyholders.

On Monday, July 20, the House and Senate will meet to take action to override the Governor's veto of SustiNet. An override requires the support of 2/3 of both houses in order to pass. July 20 is our last chance!

We are very close to victory. But we need to make sure that our legislators show up for the override session and that they vote YES on SustiNet. Email your Senator and Representative

Please take a moment to email your legislators and forward this email to your friends and family.The House and Senate have already voted once this year to provide quality, affordable health care for everyone -- now we just have to make sure they close the deal!

More information:Connecticut Post, Norwich Bulletin, and New London Day endorse veto override Read our new fact sheet Public Act 09-148 - Read about Anthem's proposal to raise premiums

..........THE POOLING HEALTH CARE BILL

FROM SPEAKER DONOVAN: GOVERNOR’S VETOED HEALTH CARE BILL ANALYSIS DECEPTIVE AND A DISSERVICE TO WORKING FAMILIES AND BUSINESSES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Doug Whiting
860-240-0160
July 15, 2009 203-400-2127

House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden) today said Governor Rell is trying to justify her vetoes of health care reform legislation for Connecticut with scare tactics and faulty information.

“In the past several days, President Obama and Democrats in Congress announced substantial movement on national health care reforms, and today a new report says that rising health care costs and premiums are eliminating coverage for 310 Connecticut residents a week,” Speaker Donovan said. “At the same time, we have Governor Rell using made up numbers that underscore a position that is not supportive of needed health care reform.”

Speaker Donovan said, “The Governor is wrong to suggest that the SustiNet bill will cost the state $1 billion annually in the near term. I am surprised that she would use such a scare tactic. I do know that doing nothing will cost us far more in the long term.”

He said the only entity that the SustiNet bill would create over the biennium is a nine-member board of healthcare providers and experts, willing to volunteer their time to make specific recommendations on how to best implement the comprehensive reform Connecticut needs. No fiscal impact would result from the creation of this board, according to the non-partisan Office of Fiscal Analysis.

“The board’s proposals will include recommendations on the use of new federal dollars we expect will be created under the federal legislation currently being debated, which could eventually help to fund an agency to administer the SustiNet plan,” he said.

Speaker Donovan added, “After months of denying the savings attached to the pooling bill, the Governor finally admitted in her second budget proposal that there will be at least $62 million in immediate savings attached to self-insuring.

“The Governor’s analysis cherry picks claims data when projecting health care costs for the next two years. It also did not account for an annual savings of up to $20 million from no longer paying insurance companies to run the state plan. These are dollars that the state should be spending on cost-saving preventive care, not insurance company profits.”

Speaker Donovan concluded, “The Governor is trying to justify her rejection of health care reforms that will help Connecticut families now, and that will position the state for implementation of reforms that are on the fast track in Washington,” Speaker Donovan said. “If she does not want to be a leader on health care, then she should step aside and allow the voices of the families and small business owners of Connecticut who are crying out for health care options to be heard.”

......FROM CCAG

Dear Friend,

Last week, Governor Rell had a chance to act in the interest of the people of Connecticut by signing SustiNet and the Healthcare Partnership bills into law. Together, these bills would put us on the path quality, affordable health care for everyone.

Instead, when presented with this landmark opportunity, Rell used her veto pen to protect the profits of big insurance companies--like Anthem, which has plans to raise premiums by 32%! This was a colossal failure of leadership on Rell's part.

So if you are sick of Governor Rell ignoring us; tired of her looking out for the insurance companies' bottom lines; and have had it up to here with Rell's inaction on health care, then join us at the State Capitol on Monday morning:

When: Monday, July 20 at 9:30 AMWhere: State Capitol Building, 210 Capitol Ave., Hartford, CT

The House and Senate passed SustiNet and the Healthcare Partnership by large margins, and so we will be gathering at the State Capitol Monday morning to ask our State Representatives and Senators to do it again. Will you join us on Monday morning to encourage our legislators to stand with us as they convene a special session for veto overrides?

With your help, our state legislators will show leadership where the governor won't. Let's show Governor Rell that she can't veto us. Because this is the last chance for us to act on these important health care bills, I ask you to please pass this message along. Send it far and wide, and bring a friend (or two!) with you Monday. I'll see you then. Tom SwanCCAG Executive Director
By Tom Connolly

New Haven Board: Confirm Sotomayor!

noreply@blogger.com (Joelle Fishman) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 19:13:00 +0000

Reprinted from People's World Daily On-line July 14, 2009

by Joelle Fishman

A week before the confirmation hearings for the appointment of Honorable Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court, the New Haven Board of Aldermen passed a resolution on her behalf. The action of the Board is especially significant as the Republican Party and right-wing seek to use the case of white firefighters to oppose her appointment and attack affirmative action.

The 30-member Board, composed of African American, Latino and white members, voted nearly unanimously with the exception of a no vote by the one Republican and one abstention. The resolution lists her many impeccable credentials, and emphasizes that she would be the first Latina on the Court where only one other woman now serves.

The resolution quotes President Obama's criteria for nominating Sotomayor. “First and foremost is a rigorous intellect, a mastery of law, an ability to hone in on key issues. …Second, is a recognition of the limits of the judicial role… that a judge’s job is to interpret, not make law,” he said. “Yet these qualities alone are insufficient.” “We need something more.” “What’s also needed on the high court, is the experience that can give a person a common touch and a sense of compassion, an understanding of how the world works and how ordinary people live."

The resolution resolved that "the New Haven Board of Aldermen of the City of New Haven urges the Congress to confirm President Barack Obama’s nominee Federal Jurist Honorable Sonia Sotomayor for the U.S. Supreme Court."

The full text of the resolution follows:

RESOLUTION OF THE NEW HAVEN BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE CITY OF NEW HAVEN URGING THE CONGRESS TO CONFIRM PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA’S NOMINEE FEDERAL JURIST HONORABLE SONIA SOTOMAYOR FOR THE U.S. SUPREME COURT.

WHEREAS: Sonia Sotomayor, born in June 25, 1954, is a federal judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit; and

WHEREAS: On May 26, 2009, President Barack Obama nominated judge Sotomayor for the appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court, to replace retiring Justice David Souter; and

WHEREAS: Federal Jurist Honorable Sonia Sotomayor, who was raised in a Bronx project and attended some of the nation’s most prominent universities, has been inspired by both her family and what the law have provided; and

WHEREAS: Federal judge Sonia Sotomayor graduated from Cardinal Spellman High School in the Bronx. She earned her A.B. from Princeton University, summa cum laude, in 1976, where she won the Pyne Prize, the highest general award given to Princeton undergraduates; and

WHEREAS: Federal judge Sonia Sotomayor obtained her J.D. from Yale Law School in 1979, where she was an editor of the Yale Law Journal;

WHEREAS: Federal judge Sonia Sotomayor served as an Assistant District Attorney under prominent New York county district Attorney Robert Morgenthau prosecuting robberies, assaults, murders, police brutality, and child pornography cases. In 1984, she entered private practice, making partner at the commercial litigation firm of Pavia & Harcourt, where she specialized in intellectual property litigation; and

WHEREAS: Hon. Sonia Sotomayor is considered a political centrist by the American Bar Association Journal and others, Sotomayor was nominated on November 27, 1991, by President George H. W. Bush to a seat on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York vacated by John M. Walker, Jr. Hon. Sonia Sotomayor became the youngest judge in the Southern District and the first Hispanic federal judge anywhere in New York State; and

WHEREAS: Hon. Sotomayor has received honorary degrees from Lehman College, Princeton University, Brooklyn Law School, Pace University School of Law, Hofstra University, and Northeastern University. She was elected a member of the American Philosophical Society in 2002; and

WHEREAS: While in private practice Hon. Sonia Sotomayor was appointed in 1988 as one of the founding members of the New York City Campaign Finance Board, where she served for four years. She has also been a member of the Board of Directors of the State of New York Mortgage Agency (SONYMA), the Puerto Rican League Defense and Education Fund, and the foundation then known as the Maternity Center Association (now called Childbirth Connection).

WHEREAS: Hon. Sonia Sotomayor was an Adjunct Professor at New York University School of Law from 1998 to 2007 and has been a lecturer-in-law at Columbia Law School since 1999; and

WHEREAS: She is member of the Board of Trustees of Princeton; and

WHEREAS: Federal Jurist Sonia Sotomayor, if confirmed, would become the first Latino member of the nation’s highest court, and

WHEREAS: President Barack Obama has said that he wants a new justice with “a common touch” and a measure of “empathy,” also is offering a measure of ethnic diversity to a court dominated by white men; and

WHEREAS: The nine-member of the U.S. Supreme Court includes just one female justice and one black justice; and

WHEREAS: Honorable Sonia Sotomayor was chosen for the U.S. Supreme Court over considerable competition; and

WHEREAS: As President Obama’s opinion on Jurist Sonia Sotomayor “First and foremost is a rigorous intellect, a mastery of law, an ability to hone in on key issues. …Second, is a recognition of the limits of the judicial role… that a judge’s job is to interpret, not make law,” he said. “Yet these qualities alone are insufficient.” “We need something more.” “What’s also needed on the high court, is the experience that can give a person a common touch and a sense of compassion, an understanding of how the world works and how ordinary people live.”; and

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the New Haven Board of Aldermen of the City of New Haven urges the Congress to confirm President Barack Obama’s nominee Federal Jurist Honorable Sonia Sotomayor for the U.S. Supreme Court.

The Poison Pen of Governor Rell and a State Rally

noreply@blogger.com (tom324) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 01:58:00 +0000

The poison pen of Governor Rell recently vetoed the SustiNet Bill, the Pooling Bill, and health care for State janitors, among other bills. She continues to stall by not agreeing to a State budget and demanding more cuts for labor and community priorities while refusing to tax the rich and big corporations.

................STATE RALLY...............

A State-wide RALLY sponsored by Service Employees International Union Local 32BJ will take place on:

Date: Thursday July 16th, 2009
Time: 12 noon-1:00pm
Place: CT State Capitol Building (Capitol Avenue Side)

The union is calling on the General Assembly to go back to work and override Gov. Rell's veto of HB 6502 that would keep state employee janitors' children off HUSKY while saving the taxpayers money.

For information & to confirm your attendance contact SEIU 32BJ at 860-560-8674.

ATTEND THE RALLY AND CALL GOVERNOR RELL.

If you have called the Governor's office, call again. If you have not yet called, now is a good time to call. The Governor's office number is 860-566-4840 (toll free: 800-406-1527) Keep your message simple and clear. Support a fair budget, tax the rich, close corporate loopholes, and maintain vital State services.

By Tom Connolly

George Fishman, a life with a purpose

noreply@blogger.com (Joelle Fishman) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 04:16:00 +0000

People's Weekly World Newspaper, 07/08/09 11:08

George M. Fishman, lifelong working class scholar, teacher and activist, passed away peacefully at his New Haven, Conn., home on June 30, at age 92. He was a stalwart champion of quality public education for all children, workers' rights, equality and peace, and together with wife Edie a builder of the working class movement and press for over seven decades.

Fishman, born to immigrant parents in Philadelphia, Pa., on Jan. 6, 1917, was a high school social science and history teacher. He held a Ph.D. in history from Temple University.

Since 1938 he was actively involved in African American and labor studies, as researcher, writer and teacher. A member of many professional organizations, his articles were published in academic and popular journals including the People's Weekly World and its predecessors.

A selection of his work, "For a Better World. A Miscellany," was completed in 2002. He was a member of American Federation of Teachers Retirees Chapters in New Haven and Philadelphia.

From 1938 to 1941 Fishman was a staff member of a Works Projects Administration (WPA) teaching unit. It pioneered in staff development in African American life, history and culture and in conducting classes in labor unions and community organizations.

During the fight against fascism in World War II he was a radio man aboard a Landing Ship Medium (#361) in the Pacific. His service included teaching English. He was awarded four medals: American Theater, Asian-Pacific, Philippine Liberation and Victory.

Following the war, he taught social studies, history and mathematics mainly in the public secondary schools of Philadelphia but also in New Jersey until his retirement in August 1984.

In 1952 during the McCarthy period he was forced to leave his teaching position as part of the general purge of progressives including Communists, labor activists and civil rights advocates from public life.

He went to work at Campbell's Soup in Camden, N.J. He was a union shop steward and leader of Local 80A United Packinghouse Workers of America, CIO, for eight years.

He returned to teach in Philadelphia in 1968 when the school system repudiated past discriminatory practices and all teachers were invited back. He continued teaching there until his retirement.

In 1985, while living in Highland Park, N.J., he was a candidate for governor of New Jersey on the Communist Party ticket. His campaign highlighted the needs of public education, especially of multiracial urban schools.

In 1994 George and Edie Fishman received the Ida B. Wells Community Service Award from the NAACP.

They moved to New Haven, Conn., 13 years ago to join daughter Joelle. During those years George and Edie became well known and loved in the labor movement and throughout the community for their activism, commitment and vision. At every meeting, conference, rally and picket line where he went, George was looked to for his knowledge, solid convictions, dedication to building unity, and warmth.

He was deeply involved in the broad movement against the ultra-right which elected Barack Obama and at the time of his death was building support for the Employee Free Choice Act and health care for all.

When asked for reflections on his 90th birthday Fishman wrote, "The turning point in my life was registered some 70 years ago when in a time of world crisis with the advance of fascism and the decay of economic and social conditions in the U.S. I was able to become a member of the Young Communist League.

"It was not only that through the Young Communist League I met my comrade in arms Edie and that we have continued arm in arm over these years. But through the Young Communist League and the Communist Party I was able to become part of the working class movement. ... it was meaningful starting in 1937 to be part of the movement for employment, for peace, the struggle against racism, and the struggle against fascism."

Fishman always sought to relate the daily struggles of working people to building the democratic struggle for socialism in our country. He took great pride in distributing and contributing to the working class press from the Daily Worker to the People's Weekly World. He lived an exemplary life with a purpose.

George Fishman is survived by wife Edie, daughter Joelle and son-in-law Arthur Perlo.

A memorial celebration will be held on Sunday, Sept. 6. Messages and contributions to the People's Weekly World in George's name can be sent to: New Haven Peoples Center, 37 Howe Street, New Haven CT 06511 or via e-mail to peoplescenter@pobox.com.