Connecticut People Before Profits

Yale Workers Say “We Can't Keep Up”

noreply@blogger.com (Joelle Fishman) — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 15:06:00 +0000

Unity of purpose and determination filled the streets in New Haven on April 23 as hundreds of union workers and community allies marched on Yale with a clear message: “We Can't Keep Up!”

The members of Unite Here Locals 34 and 35, are fighting for fair wages and benefits to keep up with the skyrocketing cost of living. But for seven months there has been little progress from wealthyYale University at the bargaining table

When Unite Here International President Gwen Mills took the mic following the march, she pointed toward the administration offices saying, “My message to Yale is that the entire union is behind these workers 110%. My message to you,” she said looking out at the massive crowd of union members is “we have your back.”

Yale claims they are in dire straits and have reduced staff and non-tenure faculty. They’ve even revoked summer storage for low-income students and made cuts to graduate enrollment. You might think Yale is on the verge of collapsing. Yale is hoping we don’t know any better. We do know better.

Yale is sitting on over $44 billion – making them the second wealthiest university in the nation.

When they claimed their back was against the wall in the past and made cuts to the workforce, their endowment continued to grow.

What are the workers at Yale asking for? Improvements to their health care, critical job protection language, and a wage increase that reflects the value of their work and makes up for what they lost since the end of their last contract.

The workers at Yale are the unsung heroes of the university and they deserve a contract that reflects the value they add to the school every single day. What Yale union workers are able to win sets the standard for all workers in the region.

“Yale must pay its fair share and settle fair contracts. We must build a city where our residents have access to good jobs, world-class schools, affordable housing, and youth opportunities.” said New Haven Rising director Scott Marks.

Alpha Capital Slammed for Retaliations against Tenants

noreply@blogger.com (Joelle Fishman) — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 05:45:00 +0000

State senator Martha Marx and state representatives Nick Menapace and Nick Gauthier hosted a press conference and sent a letter calling on the CEO of Alpha Capital Funds to rescind retaliatory lease violation notices threatening eviction against leaders of the CT Tenants Union chapter organized at the Bay Point Apartments in Niantic..

The previous week private-equity landlord Alpha Capital issued lease violations and cease & desist orders to six residents of the Bay Point Apartments, two CTTU leaders, and the director of the local Center for Housing Opportunity, accusing them all of “disruptive conduct” amidst the tenants’ months-long battle to resist displacement from their homes.

These escalations against tenants come amid the ongoing condo conversion plans first announced by Alpha Capital in November 2025. Tenants of Bay Point, many seniors living on a fixed income, have faced months of stress over this renewed threat to their housing stability and affordability.

Despite the intimidation — including from onsite Alpha employees who attempted to bar their guests from the property — union members hosted an exposé event on the sidewalk in front of the complex. They brought elected officials, realtors, and community members inside the building in small groups to witness and discuss tenant concerns, including non-functioning heat, broken appliances, and unsafe common space conditions.

So far, two condo units hit the market in February, yet neither unit has sold.

Upon receiving notice of Saturday’s tenant-hosted event, maintenance staff rushed to the construction site to remove tape from hallway smoke detectors, remove plastic sheeting that had been adhered to hallway carpets for at least two weeks, clear discarded toilets and bulk refuse from the outdoor waste area, and vacuum debris and potentially hazardous materials from hallways and common areas.

Representative Gauthier, who an Alpha employee attempted to prohibit from speaking with tenants in the building hallway, said: “Alpha Capital is abusing Bay Point residents and trying to create oppressive living conditions to intimidate residents into leaving. This much is obvious from what I observed during my visit to the homes of the residents of Bay Point Apartments.”

North Hartford Public Safety Summit Builds Community

noreply@blogger.com (Joelle Fishman) — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 22:36:00 +0000

In response to recent acts of police violence and a growing call for accountability and community driven solutions in Hartford's North End, the North Hartford Public Safety Coalition hosted a North Hartford Public Safety Summit of 150 residents, clergy and community leaders to develop a community-led summer safety plan to build community power.

Leading up to the summit, residents have successfully pushed for a citywide town hall and administrative action.

“This moment has shown us that when our community organizes, our voices can lead to real outcomes,” said Rev. AJ Johnson, Director of Neighborhood Organizing at the Center for Leadership and Justice and leader in the North Hartford Public Safety Coalition. “Now we must move from pressure to power by building the systems, relationships, and strategies that create lasting safety in our neighborhoods.”

The summit built on several years of organizing.

A panel of nine speakers.discussed collaboration and holding the city, state, and federal government accountable for the funds needed in the community. While the focus was violence prevention, the discussion focused on building community and power.

"There is energy in organizing; there is power in organizing. We knocked on doors, we listened, and we learned.” said community organizer Kelvin Lovejoy, asking “why did the federal government shut down the Federal Department of Violence Prevention while taking this country to war?”

Discussion included a call to strengthen the Police Accountability Review Board, and police training in mental health care .

Constanza Segovia who leads Hartford Departation Defense, called separating families a kind of violence that creates fear and trauma in children and affects all communities.

“Community power is our destination, our collective voice. Real power leads to lasting change. “ said neighborhood leader Melinda Johnson.

Building that power is reflected in The Summer Safety Plan emerging from the summit including expanding youth opportunities for employment, leadership development, and daily structured programming; addressing trauma and mental health. supporting families needs for jobs, childcare, and wraparound services, and activating safe spaces, including schools, churches, and community hubs. Opportunities for residents to get involved will be organized in the coming weeks.

Workers Tell Gov. Lamont: Tax the Rich to Fund Connecticut

noreply@blogger.com (Joelle Fishman) — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 22:32:00 +0000

“Tax the rich to fund Connecticut” was the message at the State Capitol on April 15 Tax Day as over 1500 postcards from voters in towns across the state were delivered to Governor Lamont with hand written messages demanding a fairer tax system put forward in the Stand Up CT Agenda..

A march to the Governor's office led by billionaire impersonaters in top hats, followed the press conference and public action on the State Capitol front lawn. Led by the Connecticut for All coalition, the action included healthcare workers, union members, students, small business owners and teachers who came together to bring their message to the Governor and State Legislative leaders.

Alicia Hernandez Strong, a fourth grade teacher from New Britain, expressed frustration with a system that does not allocate enough money for schools while the ultra wealthy pay a much smaller percentage of their income in taxes than she does, starving community needs.

A new report released today by Connecticut for All Coalition and Americans for Tax Fairness (ATF) shows that the collective fortune of Connecticut’s 17 billionaires has grown by $24.7 billion, or 34%. Connecticut has one of the most regressive tax systems in New England. Last week Maine passed a millionaires tax, and Rhode Island is expected to pass one later this year. Massachusetts has had a millionaires tax in effect since 2024.

“This year all but the richest people in Connecticut will pay higher taxes and receive fewer services for their hard-earned tax dollars because Donald Trump and Republicans put billionaires over families – and because CT state leaders choose to protect the bank accounts of a few ultra wealthy individuals and corporations at the expense of everyone else,” said CT Working Families Power State Director and Connecticut For All Legislative Co-Chair Sarah Ganong.

“It doesn’t have to be this way,” she said. “We can choose a fairer tax system, guaranteeing that the richest one percent will pay more to fund our public schools, colleges, roads, bridges, and public transit – without the other 99% having to pay a penny more. We need Governor Lamont and Connecticut leaders to make that choice, loudly and publicly, right now.” .

Amir, a working class student shared his story of trying to meet expenses while studying at Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) wihile experiencing rising prices and low wages.

“Connecticut can have a better system. Let me put that another way: Governor Lamont and Connecticut leaders can choose a fairer tax system,” said SEIU 4C’s president Seth Freeman. “We can choose a Connecticut where everyone is guaranteed the basics: a home you can afford, health care you can rely on, low cost childcare when and where you need it, quality public schools in every neighborhood, and much more.”.

But here’s the good news,” said Freeman. “There are way more of us than there are of them. When ordinary people like us unite across our differences, we’re unstoppable. We can win a Connecticut that works for all of us.”

The Stand Up CT Agenda includes “a fairer tax system by making the ultra-wealthy pay their fair share, a state budget that uses funds to protect families and public services from Trump cuts, protections against ICE violence, and adopting a basic public health plan option.

“Governor Lamont and Connecticut leadership have the power to pass a fairer system this year,” said Lauren Anderson, a small business owner in New Haven. “It’s on the table, they just need to vote for it. So I’m here telling them: on behalf of small business owners across the state, we need you to show up for us now. You invoke our names in your press conferences. You say you stand with us. Now’s the time to show it. If everyone paid their fair share — including the biggest corporations and the wealthiest people in Connecticut — we could invest in the foundation that small businesses depend on: healthy workers, strong communities, and customers who can afford to spend. Right now, it feels like the system rewards size and power, not hard work. That’s not good for small businesses. And it’s not good for Connecticut.”

State Representative Jason Doucette who represents Manchester and Glastonbury, also shared remarks as the chair of the Tax Equity Caucus.

The press conference also featured members and Leaders from the Connecticut For All coalition, including: Connecticut Working Families Power, CT Students for a Dream, Connecticut Alliance for Retired Americans, SEIU Local 1973 The 4Cs, Greater Hartford Interfaith Action Alliance, Hartford Federation of Teachers, Husky for Immigrants Coalition, UCONN and CSU American Association of University Professors, AFT Connecticut, Comunidades Sin Fronteras, New Haven Federation of Teachers, New Britain Racial Justice Coalition, New Haven Peoples Center and more.

May Day Rallies to Build Working Class Unity

noreply@blogger.com (Joelle Fishman) — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 23:17:00 +0000

Organizing is underway by labor, community, immigrant rights and peace organizations for powerful actions on May Day on Friday May 1 in New Haven in the afternoon and Hartford in the morning demanding “workers over billionaires” and “ICE out” Some will participate in the “No School, No Work, No Shopping” movement inspired by the resistance to ICE in Minnesota earlier this year.

Then, on Saturday May 2 the CT People's World will host its annual May Day Celebration and Rally featuring a slide show of May Day Around the World showing how workers are rising up for equality and peace across the globe on International Workers Day. Themed “Working Class Unity – from the streets to the polls” it will be held at 267 Chapel Street at 6 pm with refreshments provided. Contributions will be accepted for the People's World fund drive.

Leading up to the May Day rallies, a major all union Unite Here “We Can't Keep Up” contract rally will be held on April 23 at 5 pm starting at 425 College Street in support of Locals 34 and 35 at Yale in contract negotiations with Yale University. With a $4 billion endowment that earns more every minute, the claims of the University that they are in hard economic times ring hollow, while workers rent, mortgage, food and gas prices continue to rise.

The call to the May Day rallies in New Haven and Hartford on May 1 focuses on “Connecticut's billionaire class” and the demands of labor and community at the state legislature to protect against ICE, protect the rights to housing, health care and public education, and in New Haven to make Yale pay their fair share. As well, opposition to Trump's wars and robbing funds for military instead of human needs will be highlighted.

“The state budget crisis, the contract fight, the decimation of Medicaid and SNAP, the housing crisis, and the raids on immigrant workers are not different problems,” says the call to the rallies. “That's ONE billionaire class keeping workers divided, underpaid, overwhelmed, and scared in order to grow their power and wealth.”

Fast-Food Service Plaza Workers Ratify Landmark Union Contract

noreply@blogger.com (Joelle Fishman) — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 23:15:00 +0000

MILFORD, Conn. - Last Friday morning, 32BJ SEIU announced that food service workers across Connecticut’s 23 service plazas voted overwhelmingly in favor of their first-ever union contract, which will include strong wages, improved time-off and scheduling, and other enhanced benefits. The contract will cover food service workers from various franchises on Route 15, I-95, and I-39. It is one of the first agreements of its kind in the fast-food industry – marking a historic milestone for the labor movement nationwide.

“This is a watershed moment for everyone involved – from the workers, to our staff, to Connecticut workers and the labor movement as a whole,” said Rochelle Palache, Vice President and Connecticut State Director. “Over half a decade after starting this campaign, it feels so rewarding to finally see this through and achieve these guaranteed rights and benefits for the people who keep our highways serviced and fed. We couldn’t have accomplished this without the tenacity and hard work that our workers gave in keeping this campaign going for so long – this win, most of all, is from them and for them.”

McDonald’s and other major fast food companies at the service plazas subcontract with Project Services, LLC, which has been acquired by Applegreen and contracts directly with the State of Connecticut to operate on state-owned land.

Over decades, despite their billions in sales, McDonald’s and the other fast food companies have not followed Connecticut law regarding paid sick time and the standard wage. The combination of low wages and lack of sick time forced workers to come to work sick so as to not fall deeper into poverty.

During the pandemic, many workers who had been organizing with 32BJ SEIU for better working conditions lost their jobs. Cooks and cashiers who continued working reported a lack of adequate protection, and the absence of any disinfection of the stores where workers have become sick.

The long battle for union rights included many solidarity expressions of public support for the food service workers including rallies at the highway rest stops, pressure on Governor Lamont, and a car caravan during the pandemic when the companies were not resp;responsive to workers' healthcare needs.

In 2023 Attorney General William Tong sued Project Service for $2.7 million in back wages, owed to the workers, many of whom are immigrant workers. The court case was won and in November, 2025 the owner was ordered to pay workers $1.5 million in owed wages. When hundreds of workers at 23 service plazas on I-95, I-395 and Route 14 voted to join the union in December, 2025 the company agreed to negotiate a contract.

Governor Ned Lamont hailed the historic contract recognizing that “service plaza workers work hard to provide for their families, contribute to their communities, and are always there for those traveling our highways. They deserve good pay and benefits. This first contract, which recognizes the important work they provide.”

On the evening of Thursday, March 12, 32BJ SEIU reached an agreement with Applegreen USA Travel Plazas Central Services, the main service plaza employer in Connecticut, on the inaugural contract covering hundreds of food service employees across the state’s 23 food service plazas. The contract will span from April 1, 2026 to March 1, 2031.

Under the terms of their contract, service plaza workers will have: predictable schedules and consistent hours, just cause and grievance and arbitration process, strong vacation accruals, improved training opportunities, strong wages under the Connecticut Standard Wage Law

In November of last year, 32BJ SEIU and the main service plaza reached an agreement—over six years after the initial kick-off of their campaign—to grant workers a fair path to unionization, which they voted overwhelmingly to do in December. Bargaining committee members from 32BJ, comprised of workers from various franchises across the service plazas, began negotiations with Applegreen in late January of this year.

Beginning in 2019, many service plaza workers brought forward complaints against several employers outlining a pattern of noncompliance, including allegations of wages below the legal standard, unsafe working conditions, and failure to provide adequate benefits. Applegreen agreed to pay workers the standard wage in Connecticut in their November settlement with the State Attorney General’s office and agreement with the union, resulting in higher pay, which has been reflected in their paychecks since.

“It’s been a long time coming for food service workers to get the respect and the treatment we deserve,” said Nika Hyde, a bargaining committee member and employee at Auntie Anne’s at the Madison Southbound service plaza. “It is an honor to help my fellow Connecticut food service employees, who work so hard, have a dignified standard of living without constant struggle.”

No Kings Protesters Choose Human Needs Not War!

noreply@blogger.com (Joelle Fishman) — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 19:35:00 +0000

The crowds in Connecticut for No Kings III were larger and more diverse. More families and young people came out, wanting to have a voice against the illegal war on Iran, ICE raids and soaring billionaire profits while families struggle to make ends meet.

At the No Kings III rally on the New Haven Green the Greater New Haven Peace Council placed a banner on two tables with a large bar graph showing where this administration has allocated tax dollars. The bar for war and weapons towered above all the others.

Each person who came by the table was asked to put their initials in the column where they would like their money to be spent. A stream of people were eager to sign. Given an opportunity to tell their Congressmembers where they want their taxes to go they chose YES to Health. Education. Agriculture. Clean Water. And NO to War and Weapons.

The chart showed the 2026 US federal budget. The bars indicated the amounts of money federal government departments get. Each person was asked to write their initials above three departments where they’d like their taxes to go. A petition to stop the wars and stop funding the wars was made available addressed to the Connecticut Congressional delegation.

There was plenty of discussion at that table. The very diverse crowd preferred to put their taxes into • Agriculture, • Commerce, Justice and Science, • Energy and Clean Water, • Interior and Environment, • Health, Education and Labor, and • Transporation, Housing and Urban Development by an infinite amount over the Weapons and War of the Pentagon (zero votes).

When the march through New Haven began, the bar chart became a banner in the march.

Demand Grows to Tax the Rich in CT

noreply@blogger.com (Joelle Fishman) — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 17:11:00 +0000

Working class families across Connecticut are facing economic crisis from the Trump / MAGA cuts in healthcare and human services, being imposed so the ultra wealthy can get even more tax cuts.

The demand is being placed on the state legislature and Governor to secure that $1 billion for the public good and enable people's needs to be met.

Hundreds of working people, students and immigrant communities have been making their voices heard at the state capitol this session in support of the Fair Share Stand Up Connecticut Agenda of Connecticut for All demanding action to end the extreme inequalities in this state.

Those demands will also be present at the 50 No Kings III rallies in Connecticut.

The Fair Share Agenda is focused on securing $1 billion to cover the cuts inflicted by the Trump administration in the coming year, and then to democratize the tax structure ongoing so the ultra wealthy pay their fair share.

The coalition is also demanding an increase in protections for immigrant communities by establishing protected sites where ICE cannot enter including schools, hospitals and places of worship.

This movement in Connecticut is not alone. A national Take On Wall St coalition of labor and community groups is organizing in states across the country.

The Tax Wall St campaign emphasizes that, “As Trump and congressional Republicans slash federal funding, states are increasingly the last line of defense for working people. The lesson is clear: fair taxes curb concentrations of wealth, fund services we all rely on, and strengthen democracy itself.”.

They cite Connecticut as an example of the growing movement:

“In Connecticut, unions for public employees, nurses, and educators have joined with community groups to press lawmakers to raise taxes on millionaires and reform capital gains taxation. Advocates are calling for new revenues to strengthen public schools, expand health care access, invest in aging infrastructure, and provide real property tax relief for working families.”

Organizing is increasing to demand the legislature and Governor respond to the emergency facing the majority of people in our state and act before the end of session in May.

State Workers Demand Fair Contracts and Public Services

noreply@blogger.com (Joelle Fishman) — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 00:36:00 +0000

Nearly 600 state workers from across Connecticut gathered at the Legislative Office Building last week with a blunt message for Governor Lamont and his agency chiefs: stop delaying fair contracts and start investing in the public workforce that deliver “The Connecticut Difference.”

Representing workers across 35 bargaining units in the State Employees Bargaining Agent Coalition (SEBAC), speakers said Connecticut cannot keep promising strong public services while failing to fully fund and support the people who deliver them every day. They committed to securing fair and honorable contracts for the full workforce to deliver the services all residents depend on.

From public colleges and universities to public health labs and environmental agencies, workers said the state’s delays and under investment are making it harder to recruit and retain staff, putting essential public services at risk.

Speakers said when politicians in Washington, DC shut down, elected leaders in Connecticut must step up, stressing that fair contracts are not only a labor issue; they are a public issue.

“As a teacher in the state’s career technical education system, I see ‘The Connecticut Difference’ we make in our students’ lives every single day,” said Makenzi Hurtado, president of the State Vocational Federation of Teachers, AFT Local 4200A. “But that difference does not sustain itself. The state must recruit, retain, and reinvest in the workforce that serves the public.”

Terrell Thigpen, a third-year student at Central Connecticut State University, said students are paying the price for the state’s failure to invest at the level public higher education needs.

“Students are told education matters,” said Thigpen. “But I went from a high school that couldn’t afford books to an underfunded state university that refuses to support its staff. If Connecticut is serious about opportunity, it has to invest in the people and institutions that make that opportunity real.”

Healthcare workers expressed frustration with the toll lack of staffing takes. Saleena White, a Child Services Worker said “Being mandated to work back-to-back shifts, facing exhaustion leads to staff calling out and even quitting their job, sometimes on a weekly basis.”

Youth Voices Stress Collective Unity and Organizing at 52nd Black History Month Event

noreply@blogger.com (Joelle Fishman) — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 00:03:00 +0000

By Jahmal Henderson

The historic People’s Center was filled to capacity during the 52nd annual People’s World Black History Month event. Youth and community members gathered to honor the theme: “DEFEND CIVIL RIGHTS! Unity in the Fight for Our Future”

As guests arrived, they were greeted by the recording of Paul Robeson's historic performance at Carnegie Hall in 1958. Host Mary Thigpen said that during the Jim Crow era, when Black history was deliberately excluded from school curriculums, historian Dr. Carter G. Woodson founded Negro History Week in February 1926, later expanded into Black History Month.

In tribute to the late Rev. Jesse Jackson, she recalled the ten day “Rebuild America Keep Hope Alive” march across Connecticut in August 1991, beginning at Bridgeport East End’s “Mount Trashmore” and ending at the state capitol in Hartford with more than 2,000 people.

This year’s arts and writing competition for grades 8 through 12 showcased a wide range of impressive submissions of poetry, art, and essay which drew connections between the 65^th anniversary of the freedom rides and today’s fight against fascism and for civil rights along with honoring the brave legacy of Paul Robeson, acclaimed artist and activist who risked everything to advance racial justice, civil liberties and peace.. Every participant received a certificate and copy of Paul Robeson’s book "Here I Stand".

First place artwork “Turn the Volume Up” by Emilia DiPippo from Wilbur Cross High School explores how the civil rights movement shaped her identity and the life she is able to lead today.

Jaylee Pimental of Wilbur Cross High School's first place essay titled “Freedom Was Earned, Not Given,” explained that the civil rights movement was about far more than changing laws. Ordinary people marched, protested, and risked everything because they were tired of being treated unfairly due to their skin color. She emphasized “Justice is not just for one group, its for everyone".

Diana Robles from High School in the Community delivered her poem “When We Fight We Win,” while Japhet Gonzalez performed “17,” a heartfelt dedication to the young freedom fighters of the 1960s whose sacrifices fuel his commitment to activism.

Sound School student Journey Rosa earned the first-place poetry award with her powerful piece “Inheritance is a Verb.” that concludes “progress is not permanent unless we make it so.”

An 8th grade student shared his essay about the terrifying story of a young family member that witnessed his parents being taken away by ICE. The story exposed the trauma that many immigrant families are facing. The story concluded, "It’s so unfair to see how families are torn apart, and especially by a leader that doesn’t even know about history. Most of America was built off of immigrants, and getting rid of those immigrants is like removing the legs of a chair.”

The ceremony then shifted to a youth panel discussion moderated by Arita Acharya, Secretary Treasurer of Unite Here Local 33 . The conversation brought together two high school students, Brandon Daley of Metropolitan Business Academy and the Citywide Youth Coalition, and Melody Yunga of Wilbur Cross High School and CT Students for a Dream. They reflected on their activism in today's fight for equality where youth activism is being attacked by MAGA.

Daley spoke of organizing students to testify before the education committee at the state capitol for an increase in public school funding. Yunga called for participation in a public hearing before the Judiciary Committee to expand protections for immigrant communities from the undemocratic terror being perpetrated by ICE around the country.

Acharya raised demands that Yale University, with its 40 billion endowment, give transformative funding to meet needs of public education, good jobs and housing in the largely Black and Latino City of New Haven.

Stephanie Deceus led the People’s World fund appeal, highlighting the daily news platform’s importance to the labor-led people’s movement and the need for continued support to keep it thriving. $2,000 was raised.

Eric Brooks, the evening’s special guest speaker was introduced by Connecticut CPUSA organizer Jahmal Henderson. Brooks addressed the current climate in the country, emphasizing the continued fight for democracy and freedom for Black communities. He referenced 1619 to draw attention to the nation’s origins in slavery and the lasting impact of racial inequality today.

He also spoke about MAGAS rollback of key civil rights protections, stressing that recent executive orders, including the removal of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs across federal agencies.

Throughout his remarks, he underscored the urgency of mobilizing against policies viewed as harmful to minority communities, civil rights, and democratic rights. Eric also stressed that the resistance will require grassroots organizing, collective unity, and political engagement in order to achieve real, lasting change in this country.

As the festivities concluded, participants gathered in a drum circle, where both attendees and youth played powerful rhythms symbolizing unity and strength.

Hundreds Demand Protections for Immigrant Communities

noreply@blogger.com (Joelle Fishman) — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 21:48:06 +0000

Hundreds of students, educators, advocates and clergy testified for 11 hours before the Judiciary Committee of the State Legislature in support of bills to establish protective areas including places of worship, medical facilities, schools and playgrounds, where law enforcement including ICE would be barred from carrying out arrests without a judicial warrant signed by a judge.

Examples of ICE terrorizing communities in Minnesota and other states were cited as the reason state protections are needed, in case such federal actions were unleashed in Connecticut.

The measures would enhance the existing Connecticut Trust Act and establish policy at the state level that was erased at the national level under the Trump Department of Homeland Security.

Many young people described how hard it is to live in constant fear of being kidnapped without reason. Teachers told of students afraid to come to school not knowing if they or their parents would be taken away. Experiences of missing important medical appointments were shared.

Along with Connecticut Students for a Dream (C4D) and Husky 4 Immigrants, the entire Connecticut for All coalition organized testimonies including SEIU, AFT, Make the Road and ACLU.

Judiciary Committee chair Sen. Gary Winfield conducted the hearing, inviting questions from his colleagues after each speaker. Republican lawmakers challenged the testimonies claiming these policies would protect criminals. Speakers emphasized that the bill is necessary to protect the constitutional rights of all residents in the current national climate.

Recalling her family's experience of being hounded and discriminated against during the 1950s McCarthyite repression, Joelle Fishman, representing the CT Communist Party USA, recounted working in the civil rights movement to end lynchings and terror against African American people. Asking “Are we going to defend and expand civil rights for all? Or are we going to go down the path of repression and fascism with all the harmful lived consequences for our communities, state and nation?” she called upon the Judiciary Committee to pass the bills and play its role.

Accountability language was urged so anyone wrongfully detained in protected locations could challenge that detention and seek relief.

Students Testify for Education Funding

noreply@blogger.com (Joelle Fishman) — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 14:33:00 +0000

Public school students and their teachers from eleven municipalities traveled to Hartford on Wednesday to testify before the Education Committee of the State Legislature about the dire need to increase the school funding formula.

Three busloads carrying 117 students from schools across New Haven were accompanied by Mayor Justin Elicker.

“It's a packed house of union members, educators, students, coalition partners, elected officials and faith leaders at the CT State Legislative Zoffice Building to protect our kids and fix the formula,” reported NHFT President Leslie Blatteau. “On this March 4, in partnership with the American federation of Teachers and AFT Connecticut locals across the state and country, we demand Fully and Fairly Funded Schools NOW.”

“The state per pupil ECS funding foundation amount has not increased since 2013. Want to know what has increased over the last 13 years? EVERYTHING ELSE,” said art teacher Melody Gallagher. “It is time for the state of CT to fix the ECS formula. As costs for services, supplies and everything else has gone up, this flat funding has translated into underfunding.”

In solidarity with the delegation testifying at the state capitol, classroom teachers in New Haven are wearing FIX THE FORMULA stickers.

Teachers and students were joined by organizations in the Connecticut for All coalition who testified in support of SB 7 for increased public school funding. to ensure the needs of students in the state are met. Speakers declared, “Now is the time to Fix the Formula - specifically the Foundation Aid amount of $11,525, which has remained the same since 2013.”

Had the formula’s foundation kept pace with inflation, it would be approximately $16,000 per student today. Legislators were urged to increase the foundation aid amount to $16,525 in Fiscal Year 2027 and then index it to inflation moving forward.

Testimonies called for the ultra wealthy and corporations to pay their fair share to make it possible to deliver on the promise of public education for all of Connecticut's children.

Court Victory Protects Captive Audience Law

noreply@blogger.com (Joelle Fishman) — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 03:35:00 +0000

A major court victory for workers was won last week upholding Connecticut's “captive audience” law that protects workers against employer intimidation when organizing into unions. A federal district court judge dismissed the Connecticut Business and Industry Association (CBIA) and U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s challenge to the law.

“This federal court decision is a major victory for working people across Connecticut” said Connecticut AFL-CIO president Ed Hawthorne.

“This law ensures that workers can make their own decisions about forming a union without fear of employer intimidation and harassment. Far too often, when workers attempt to form a union, management used to be able to force workers to attend closed-door captive audience meetings where they would frequently threaten business closures, wage cuts, layoffs, and more,” he said, adding “No employer should be able to force a worker to attend a meeting to coerce their opinions on religion, politics, or union organizing. And no worker should fear retaliation simply for exercising their right to join a union.

Hawthorne appreciated the work of Attorney General William Tong “for standing up to powerful business interests and defending workers from being forced into captive audience meetings. As worker protections are eroded at the federal level, it's critical to have a champion for working people.”

After years of organizing by the labor movement, in 2022 the State Legislature enacted the bill giving workers the right to leave employer mandated meetings and return to work when the subject is about an employer’s politics, religion or union organizing.

CBIA and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce filed a federal lawsuit challenging the statute.

U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley dismissed the case last week, finding that CBIA's First Amendment rights to speak to its employees are not impacted by the law.

“Workers should not be forced to listen to their employer’s religious or political views—including anti-union rhetoric. Connecticut’s captive audience statute is both lawful and necessary, and the Office of the Attorney General will continue to defend the state’s ability to protect workers’ rights,” said Tong, greeting the decision.

"A train wreck for public higher education”: Students and workers demand Connecticut fund its colleges

noreply@blogger.com (Joelle Fishman) — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 03:32:00 +0000

Students, faculty, and campus workers gathered at the state Capitol this week under the banner of Fund Our Dreams, calling on lawmakers to reject Gov. Ned Lamont’s proposed higher education budget and make real investments in Connecticut’s public colleges and universities.

In a press conference at the Legislative Office Building as lawmakers begin deliberations this session, speakers were flanked by supporters holding signs “Gov. Lamont Failing Our Students – Fund Higher Education.”

Speaker after speaker warned that years of underfunding have created a crisis across the state’s higher education system — from community colleges to state universities and UConn — harming students, workers, and the broader economy.

Lisa Calabrese. the campus enrollment supervisor at Connecticut State Naugatuck Valley, and leader in the 4Cs union, said “Governor Lamont is a train wreck for our public higher education institutions: Connecticut colleges, Charter Oak State College, our four state universities, UConn, and UConn Health.”

“There has been a ripple effect on our workforce, our economy, and our state,” she added. “Faculty, staff, and students oppose Governor Lamont’s proposed budget for CSCU, UConn, and UConn Health because it fails to make the necessary investments in our institutions, our students, and our state.”

Students described campuses pushed past capacity, where lack of funding is happening while enrollment is rising, harming educational quality and student well-being.

Heritha Subramanian. Student body vice president at the University of Connecticut, Storrs said. “It is no secret that education in Connecticut is overwhelmed and underfunded.”

As state and federal funding has declined, she explained, UConn has increased enrollment and recruitment to compensate. “Unfortunately, our school does not have the resources to meet the needs of our students.”

“I often hear from students who have never met with their advisor because it is difficult to get a hold of them,” she said. “At UConn, advisors have caseloads of up to 655 students per advisor, while the national average for four-year institutions is 286.”

The consequences affect classroom learning. “Higher enrollment levels have led tolarger class sizes, and it is clear this is burdensome for everyone involved,” Subramanian said. “Faculty are being asked to do too much with too little time and too little assistance, while students fade and disengage — becoming one of hundreds rather than being supported to succeed.”

Cynthia Stretch, a union leader and professor at Southern Connecticut State University, said "endless cuts" to part-time faculty have resulted in slashing the course options available to students.

Organizers testified that Connecticut’s higher education crisis is not inevitable, calling it the result of political decisions that prioritize tax breaks and austerity over public investment.

“Public higher education is a public good,” speakers said. “When we underfund it, we deepen inequality, weaken our workforce, and undermine democracy itself.”

"Connecticut has the resources to do better. What we need is the political will." said Valerie Duffy, a professor at UConn and president of Uconn-AAUP. "The strain on higher education is not a failure of our students or our faculty and staff. It is a result of policy choices,"

The Fund Our Dreams coalition is calling on legislators to: increase base funding for public higher education, stop tuition and fee hikes, restore faculty and staff positions and invest in advising, mental health, and student support services

As budget negotiations continue at the Capitol, organizers made clear they are not backing down.

“This is about our future,” one speaker said. “And we are here to demand that Connecticut fund our dreams — not dismantle them.”

The demand to “Fund Our Dream” is part of the Stand Up Connecticut legislative agenda of the Connecticut for All coalition. At a February 7 press conference, The 4 C's community college union president Seth Freeman said, “We are here to demand that Governor Lamont and every elected state legislator STAND-UP, meet the moment, and protect the residents and families of Connecticut. We are here to demand that elected leaders fight for working-class families and fight against the Trump billionaire agenda.”

Expand Just Cause Eviction Protections

noreply@blogger.com (Joelle Fishman) — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 04:16:00 +0000

Leaders from Connecticut’s tenant movement including 44 organizations, and the co-chairs of the state legislature's Housing Committee Sen. Martha Marx and Rep. Antonio Felipe, launched a campaign to expand Just Cause eviction protection at a Capitol press conference. The message was clear: we want Just Cause now.

Speakers described their experiences, data on the state’s housing crisis, the potential impact of Just Cause on mitigating that crisis, the content of this year’s bill, and the political conditions shaping the campaign.

Just Cause requires landlords to provide a justification for an eviction — grounds for which are listed in state law — and protects tenants without a lease or who are month-to-month from being asked to move out or evicted for no reason.

For over 40 years, Connecticut has had Just Cause eviction protections for tenants who are 62 and over or who are disabled and live in complexes with five or more units. However, most renters are not covered, and landlords can refusing to renew a lease or file an eviction without justification, even if the tenant pays rent on time and does everything “right.”

The existing law has provided greater housing stability for the most vulnerable populations, and tenants are asking the state to expand those protections.

The problems facing tenants in Connecticut are dire: over 15,759 Connecticut households have been evicted without cause between 2017 and 2024. One in 20 renter households now face eviction, and Connecticut has some of the highest eviction rates in the country, disproportionately impacting Black and Latino tenants.

Expanding Just Cause would prevent an estimated 11% of eviction filings and countless forced moves. Just Cause does not impact other for-cause grounds for eviction including, for example, nonpayment of rent, lease violations, or nuisance. Just Cause protects tenants from landlords who use no-fault evictions to gentrify complexes — eroding existing affordable housing — or to intimidate, retaliate, or discriminate against tenants. It is a cost-free, effective solution to help create safe, stable, and affordable housing by preventing displacement and housing insecurity, said the coalition.

'Health Justice NOW' Demand Amid Federal Cuts

noreply@blogger.com (Joelle Fishman) — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 23:50:00 +0000

The Health Justice NOW Campaign held a press conference calling on the State Legislature and Governor to protect health coverage, extend access to affordable care, and ensure all Connecticut residents can get the quality car they need without fear or barriers.

The statewide organizations said they came together “as federal cuts to Medicaid have harmed immigrant and working-class families, stripping health coverage from thousands and driving up health care costs for everyone.”

Led by Connecticut Citizen Action Group, Universal Health Care Foundation of CT, HUSKY 4 Immigrants coalition, Health Equity Solutions, and Connecticut for All, the campaign demanded state leaders “step up and ensure every one of us has access to quality, affordable health care.”

Demands include that premium and other out of pocket costs meet affordability standards, controlled provider rates, minimizing the risk of medical debt, insurance coverage of essential health benefits, and raising revenue to support these goals.

Tom Swan, CCAG director said the campaign is “dedicated to having Connecticut meet this moment and guarantee everyone access to quality affordable healthcare.” He emphasized that Trump's HR 1 bill “has created turmoil with more havoc to come. Medicare cuts alone put over 180,000 Connecticut residents at risk of losing coverage.”

He added that, “thousands of healthcare workers could potentially lose their jobs and healthcare facilities are at risk of closure particularly in rural communities.”

Betty Buras, a student at the Yale School of Medicine and the law clinic said, “During this political climate, immigrants’ rights and health care are being attacked. When people don’t have access to healthcare, there are worse outcomes. We have to make sure everyone has access to healthcare.”

“The amount of Medicare taxes undocumented immigrants pay is more than the top 55 corporations in America,” said State Senator Saud Anwar,”. The corporations are getting a free ride while the undocumented immigrants are being taxed.”

“The federal government is subsidizing the healthcare for these largest corporations,” he said. Those who say resources have been taken by the immigrants is far from the truth. They are wrong.”

Connecticut Tenants Union launches boycott of real estate giant

noreply@blogger.com (Joelle Fishman) — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 21:42:09 +0000

By Louis Henry

The Connecticut Tenants Union and its working-class allies have launched a boycott of Alpha Capital. In a petition to support the boycott, the Tenants Union is calling on all people to refuse to engage in business with Alpha Capital. Refuse to rent apartments, refuse to buy condos, refuse to sell or buy properties with this horrible landlord, they say.

Over the last year, tenant unions in Southeast Connecticut have gone public, demanding that their landlord, Alpha Capital Funds, come to the table to negotiate fair leases and address tenant needs. In response, Alpha is trying to bust organized, multi-racial, and multi-generational communities.

Tenant Union representatives from New London and East Lyme assembled alongside their working-class allies to announce the boycott and to explain why this next stage of struggle is necessary.

Landlord wants $318,000 from each tenant

The Bay Point Tenant Union called on all people to boycott Alpha Capital because that landlord won’t recognize their union, and their homes are at risk of being bought out from under them.

Tonya, a disabled member of the Bay Point Tenant Union, explained that after her tenant union went public over the summer, Alpha Capital responded by trying to convert the apartments to condominiums. Alpha Capital told the residents they would have to pay $318,000 to keep their home, or their unit would be sold off.

Chris, an 82-year-old member of the Bay Point Tenant Union, said he is cold at night because the building is in disrepair and Alpha won’t make repairs.

Judy, a retiree who’s lived in the building for 23 years, told the assembly that “We’re not going to put up with it, we’re being gouged.” She said her union is going to stick together and fight until Alpha Capital CEO Tyler Smith comes to the table to negotiate fair and equitable leases.

The New London Tenant Unions called on all people to boycott Alpha Capital because that landlord will not recognize their union and will not stop trying to evict union members.

Daz, speaking on behalf of the New London tenants, explained that the union was able to protect their members from eviction. When Alpha Capital bought their building, the new landlord immediately sent eviction notices to all of the tenants—half of whom are elderly and disabled. The tenants quickly mobilized to form a union and asserted Connecticut’s law that shields the elderly and disabled from no-fault eviction.

In response to organizing, Alpha violated state law by retaliating against the union members with a demand for 40% rent increases. Again, the union mobilized and filed complaints with the New London Fair Rent Commission. The Fair Rent Commission asserted that tenant organizing is a protected act and Alpha Capital violated the law by retaliating. The Commission ordered rents frozen for the next six months and ordered Alpha to give the tenants new leases.

Community support

Rev. Perry of Mount Olive Church in New London explained that his community is in crisis. The temperature was below freezing, and children and seniors were homeless and suffering on our streets. He said it was important for all moral people to support housing as a human right and to put people before profit.

New London City Councilwoman Shineika Fareus explained that the eviction and homelessness crisis in Connecticut is not an accident. She said mega-landlords like Alpha Capital are violating our human rights by treating housing as a commodity.

Commenting on Alpha’s behavior, she said, “Eviction is not a development tool, it’s displacement.” She said working-class power exists. She called on working people to join the boycott and that collective bargaining is a form of racial and disability justice.

State Representative Nick Gauthier spoke in solidarity with the Connecticut Tenants Union and joining the boycott against Alpha Capital. He said private equity firms harm humanity. He called for a ban on private equity in housing and healthcare.

State Representative Dan Gaiewski also spoke in support of joining the boycott and supporting the Union. He said it was his job to support tenant organizing by passing Just Cause legislation that would protect all tenants from arbitrary eviction.

In her closing remarks, CT Tenants Union President Hannah Srajer held up ten feet of paper bearing hundreds of signatures of people who have already signed the petition to Boycott Alpha Capital. She spoke into the cameras and said for the last six years the CT Tenants Union has been organizing to put people before corporate greed.

“We pay the bills,” she said, explaining that Alpha Capital needs working people to pay their rents, to buy their condos, to do business with their company, in order to continue to service their predatory loans and mortgages. If working people can put a dent in Alpha Capital’s income, they can bring Alpha Capital to its knees. “The people will win, the boycott has begun!”

‘Stand Up For CT’ Agenda Launched

noreply@blogger.com (Joelle Fishman) — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 22:02:00 +0000

Union and community leaders and elected officials joined with Connecticut for All at a capitol press conference to launch the “Stand Up CT” agenda as the Legislative Session begins. Action is urgent, they said, to help fill the critical funding gaps brought on by cuts in H.R. 1 President Trump’s ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’, and to protect the freedoms of multi-racial working class and immigrant residents.

The agenda would require the small number of ultra wealthy residents and corporations, who have received more than $1 trillion in tax breaks through H.R. 1, to pay a comparable share of their income in taxes as that paid by the vast majority of Connecticut families.

The “Stand Up CT” agenda would re-balance the state’s upside-down tax system, protect against Trump cuts and policies, and allow the legislature to mitigate harms to the publicly-funded safety net, providing stability for working families. The package of bills will raise hundreds of millions of dollars annually.

Connecticut for All was joined by impacted speakers from SEIU 4Cs, CT Tenants Union, CT Students for a Dream, SEIU 1199, AFT Connecticut, She Leads Justice, Greater Hartford Interfaith Action Alliance, a small business owner, State Rep Jason Doucette from the Tax Equity Caucus of 52 legislators, and State Senator Gary Winfield chair of the Judiciary Committee,.

“The choice really is simple. We can either meet the needs of working Connecticut families, or we can continue to leave money on the table by refusing to fix the fiscal controls and make the ultra-wealthy and corporations pay their fair share.,” said Connecticut For All Director Norma Martinez HoSang.

“Passing the Stand Up CT legislative agenda means finally prioritizing the hardworking people of Connecticut who keep this state running – the health care workers who kept us safe throughout the pandemic, the teachers who pay for school supplies out of their own pockets, the bus drivers who take us where we need to go, the youth who need a chance for a better future they can afford – over a handful of wealthy and well-connected families.”

CT Must Offset Federal Cuts to Public Benefits

noreply@blogger.com (Joelle Fishman) — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 03:07:00 +0000

Connecticut Voices for Children's new report, The Case and Policy Options for Connecticut to Offset New Federal Cuts to Public Benefits, was released to a crowded room of advocates and organizers at the 25th Tax & Budget Forum.

The report examined how the state’s fiscal controls and tax structure are hurting working class families by limiting sustained, meaningful investments in human needs. The report emphasized how Connecticut can move from temporary fixes to long-term policy choices that make affordability real and fully fund communities being devastated by the MAGA “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” enacted last July.

This Act provides tax cuts that heavily benefit high-income households. Those with incomes above $500,000 a year are estimated to receive 33% of the total tax cut, amounting to $1.5 trillion over the next decade.

The law pays for the tax cuts for high-income households by making about $1.5 trillion in cuts to public benefits, reducing essential support for low- and middle-income households. This includes nearly $1.1 trillion in cuts to health care benefits, including Medicaid; allowing a more than $300 billion expansion of the Premium Tax Credit for health insurance to expire; and cutting food assistance by about $190 billion.

At least150,000 people in Connecticut are expected to lose health insurance and 58,000 households are expected to have food assistance cut. At the same time, the top 10% of households are estimated to gain more than $9,200 each.

The report presented five policy proposals that would make it possible to address these extreme and devastating inequities including raising tax rates on high-income households (single tax filers above $500,000, and married tax filers above $1 million) or high-value estates (worth more than $15 million).

Together, the policy proposals would raise close to $500 million a year, providing resources for Connecticut to close the gap left by the cruel federal cuts to human needs.

Advocates are demanding that in these dire circumstances the Legislature and Governor stand up for the people of Connecticut in this session and make sure that basic needs are funded to address health care, housing, hunger and growing poverty.

Boycott forces Avelo to End Deportation Flights

noreply@blogger.com (Joelle Fishman) — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 07:09:00 +0000

A major victory was won last week when Avelo Airlines announced they are ending their contract to conduct deportation flights for ICE with DHS. On January 27 they will leave Mesa Gateway Airport in Arizona, where the flights departed.

Last April when news of the ICE flights surfaced in New Haven, outraged immigrant rights groups, state and local elected officials and clergy launched the boycott. It spread across the country and soon Avelo ws forced to end west coast flights.

Avelo claimed they contracted with DHS for financial reasons. The boycott showed that trying to profit from deportations and family separation does not pay off.

The New Haven boycott against it's “hometown airline” at Tweed New Haven airport was soon joined by 25 cities.

During a national day of protest last May, one of many vigils at the entrance to the New Haven airport was led by the New Haven Immigrants Coalition “to mourn and stay in solidarity with those who have been and will be removed without due process.”

A New Hampshire resident purchased two billboards near the airport saying “Does your vacation support their deportation? Just say AvelNO!”

The mayor of New Haven banned all business with the airline for City travel, as did the Wilmington, Delaware City Council

Attorney General William Tong began investigating Avelo's fuel tax break with the State. Upon hearing of the company's break with DHS Tong said, “If this means that Avelo is no longer electing to profit from Trump’s cruel and reckless deportation program, the separation of families, deportation of children and citizens, and denial of due process rights, then it’s about time.”

At a New Haven press conference attended by over 100 the day after the announcement, Kica Matos president of the National Immigration Law Center declared,“We organized, we protested, we boycotted, and we said we would not stop until Avelo stopped being complicit in human suffering. Today, we celebrate. Let this be a reminder that when we fight, we win.”

The rally also protested the cold blooded murder of Rene Good by an ICE official in Minnesota.

Yale: Pay Your Fair Share

noreply@blogger.com (Joelle Fishman) — Wed, 07 Jan 2026 07:06:00 +0000

by Rev. Scot Marks

As Yale and the City of New Haven negotiate a revenue agreement in the coming year, we must work towards a transformational investment in the city that gives all our residents opportunities.

In 2024 New Haven gave a $106 million tax break to Yale and Yale New Haven Hospital. With that money we could have hired 600 teachers, built three community centers and helped 100 families get into permanent housing.

$106 million is everything to New Haven, especially our children – and it's just 2% of what Yale's endowment made in the last year alone.

I arrived in New Haven in 1964, escaping the racial and economic exploitation of the North Carolina sharecropping system keeping families like mine impoverished.

In New Haven we met its own long story of racial and economic exploitation. The American Eugenics Society on Yale's campus led the country in establishing pseudo scientific theories that helped justify segregated development in New Haven.

Yale used the labor of enslaved people to build the campus's first building and its leaders crushed what would have been the country's first HBCU.

In a moment when a federal administration is attacking US cities, censoring our country's racist history and giving more to billionaires while we suffer from a cost of living crisis, Yale must join our community and city as partners in confronting its own history and the detrimental impact on many of our residents.

New Haven should have world class schools. Instead our schools badly need repair, our teachers are underpaid and overworked, and our classrooms are overcrowded. All this while our city hosts one of the best and wealthiest educational institutions in the world.

Our movement led the way in getting Yale to increase its voluntary payment to New Haven before. This July that contribution will drop from an annual $10 million to $2 million, and to $0 the following year. And it is not enough for Yale to renew – it is time to expand. It took over 10,000 people taking action for the last commitment and now we need to redouble our efforts.

Working Class Unity Inspires the Crowd at People's World Amistad Awards

noreply@blogger.com (Joelle Fishman) — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 08:56:00 +0000

By Jahmal Henderson

Solidarity in the resistance movement and celebration of collective action created a powerful and inspiring People's World Amistad Awards themed “Working Class Unity to defend our rights and fight for our future.”

On a beautiful winter evening in New Haven, community activists, labor leaders, students, comrades, teachers, elected officials and allies, gathered at the First and Summerfield Church, home to the offices of Unite Here in Connecticut for the 24^th annual People's World Amistad Awards.

That strengthening spirit was immediately felt upon entering the church, where solidarity and African rhythms filled the air, as dancers performed a traditional dance. A beautiful 96 page greeting book helped set the atmosphere.

Adam Waters, president of Unite Here Local 33 of educators at Yale welcomed everyone to “The Ami's” and announced to cheers the majority of post docs have signed cards for union recognition.

Emcees Lisa Bergmann and Ben McManus kicked off the awards with a “Resistance 2025” slideshow highlighting the year's courageous actions, rallies, picket lines, and robust union and coalition solidarity.

An inspiring youth tribute marked the 106th anniversary of the Communist Party USA. The activist youth in their teens, 20s and 30s, some in the Young Communist League, lined up shoulder-to-shoulder to deliver a message of unity and organizing to change the conditions they face and make a better future.

“We pay tribute to the CPUSA, for its vision of equality and justice and its constant example of organizing with many other freedom fighters against fascism and for a better world,” they said to applause. “We step forward unapologetic and unafraid, bending the arc of history toward justice. Building a collective vision of solidarity and humanity and upholding the worth of each of us.”

The first Award was jointly presented to Norma Martinez-HoSang executive director, and Constanza Segovia organizing director, of Connecticut For All. Seth Freeman, a 2024 Awardee and president of the Congress of Connecticut Community Colleges (4Cs) presented the award, praising their leadership of the multi-racial labor community coalition united to end systemic inequalities and build power for racial and economic justice in Connecticut.

Drawing from her life, family, and educational experiences, Norma said that she “learned early on the critical importance of coalition building and fighting together for what people truly deserve”. She said this history is why the awards hold such a special meaning. “This celebration is not about the individual being honored but all the movements in the room committed to freedom and building a world in solidarity, peace and justice.”

Constanza spoke about the profound importance of collective action and being part of the larger movement. She stressed, "The truth is that I’m nothing without all of you here, My work has no place if it’s not surrounded by the hundreds of thousands of workers that are members of our coalition, and I find great joy in that truth.”

IAM Local 700 president Wayne McCarthy received the Award from John Harrity, a 2003 Awardee and former president of the Connecticut State Council of Machinists. He praised Wayne for his leadership, as president at three different Pratt & Whitney plants over the years, and called upon everyone to follow this example and get involved.

After sharing his journey through the labor movement, Wayne detailed the historic 23-days in May strike at Pratt & Whitney that won job security, wage increases and improved benefits. The strike made a national impact defying the all-out attack on labor. He described how the 3,000 machinists stood firm. “Our resolve cannot be broken as the rain and cold weather eventually gave way to sunshine as we continued twenty three days on the picket lines in Middletown and East Hartford,” he said acknowledging his children who are among those members.

The final award was presented by 2024 Awardee and 1199 retiree Maribel Rodriguez to Tabitha Sookdeo, executive director of Connecticut Students For A Dream. Tabitha shared the story of her childhood in Guyana and the obstacles she overcame in the U.S., explaining how she channeled those challenges into powerful advocacy for undocumented youth and their families.

“Let us remember that the vast majority of our community is struggling with the effects of greed and a wave of authoritarianism, both local and global. Let us not be divided by identity, but be brought together by our collective struggle as working class people who simply try to make enough to provide for our children and for our aging parents who somehow continue to have to work as they get older and as wage inequality grows even steeper.”

“May we band together to care for one another as our communities come further under attack,” she said.

A crowd of New Haven students and educators were called forward for recognition “In Solidarity,” with their work for immigration justice by Leslie Blatteau, 2023 Awardee and New Haven teachers union president.

Melony Yuda, a high school leader with CT Students For A Dream, emphasized student activism and the power of speaking out against injustice.

“When young people organize things change, conversations change, policies change, communities change, cause nobody knows what we need better than ourselves ,” she said as gifts of small plants were handed out.

The evening was highlighted with a multi-cultural concert of freedom songs and traditional African dance, performed by Brian Jarawa Gray and Friends.

Scotttesia Marks moved the audience with a beautiful rendition of Sam Cooke’s "A Change Is Gonna Come," followed by a lovely performance of Cambia todo Cambia by Teresa Quintana, an Awardee in 2024.

A powerful enactment of Paul Robeson’s "What is America to Me?" was followed by the event's Call to Action presented by Jahmal Henderson and Lisa Bergmann to a standing ovation.

”We are the multi-racial working class. Our power is in our labor, that creates all wealth, and in our numbers when we are organized. Our vision of equality and working class democracy is our strength.,” said the call.

The People's World Amistad Awards continue to serve as a vital gathering for the movement around the state, strengthening a multiracial, working-class coalition dedicated to defending our rights and transforming our country by prioritizing people, peace, and planet before profits.

Educators Declare Contract Impasse and Demand Real Solutions for Students and Community

noreply@blogger.com (Joelle Fishman) — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 08:49:00 +0000

New Haven — Teachers in New Haven Public Schools called on city leaders Tuesday to resolve the teaching and learning crisis facing their students and families, on the eve of the legally-imposed deadline for a mutual settlement before the matter is referred to arbitration. .

The certified educators and members of the labor-community coalition held a press conference at City Hall to urge Mayor Justin Elicker to embrace the real solutions they’ve proposed for what union members and students need in contract negotiations.

Leaders of the New Haven Federation of Teachers (NHFT) have since late-September been in talks with district representatives to secure a new contract. For months, they have put forward numerous proposals to improve their students’ learning conditions by addressing the root causes of educator recruitment and retention shortfalls.

Many are still outstanding, forcing union leaders to declare impasse, noting that if the mayor does not direct school board representatives to reach a mutual settlement on the outstanding issues by Wednesday evening, a neutral, third-party arbitrator decides the final outcome.

In addition to refusing union members’ reasonable proposals for class sizes, special education supports, healthcare and salaries, city leaders are failing to meet the moment, said the New Haven Federation of Teachers.

The union emphasized that “After months of negotiations, the city leadership's inflexibility threatens to drive hundreds of hardworking educators out of the Elm City’s classrooms and deprive students of the learning opportunities they deserve.”

Tuesday’s impasse announcement follows months of active engagement by hundreds of educators, as well as their students and families, in support of securing a fair, honorable contract. These efforts to boost investments in New Haven public schools’ future by improving student learning have taken place while the city’s fund balance has exceeded $59 million.

The previous week during public comment at the Board of Education meeting, speakers said prioritizing public education must include investments from the City of New Haven alongside continuing pressure to increase state funding. Speakers also emphasized that Yale University has a $44 billion endowment and should be expected to contribute in lieu of taxes enough funds to assure world class public education in New Haven.

Tenants bring their demands to Capital Realty Group in New York

noreply@blogger.com (Joelle Fishman) — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 04:27:00 +0000

Unionized tenants of Capital Realty Group, representing nine properties across six states including two New Haven apartment complexes (Park Ridge Apartments and Sunset Ridge Apartments), traveled to company headquarters in Spring Valley New York for a national action to demand quality housing conditions and a meeting with CEO Moshe Eichler.

The New Haven tenants, members of the CT Tenants Union, traveled to the action by charter bus after having been accosted by Capital Realty Group at two press conferences, one in front of New Haven City Hall where Mayor Elicker expressed support for the tenants' right to unionize.

Capital Realty Group is a New York-based corporate landlord, owns at least 14,000 units of housing across 28 states, and is one of the nation’s largest owners of subsidized housing.

When the tenants arrived, instead of agreeing to meet with them, the corporation paid and directed a counter-protest, harassing and physically assaulting tenant union representatives. One CRG representative snatched signs from union members and physically assaulted at least three tenants; Spring Valley police arrested him.

Police confirmed that the violent counter-protestor group was “there by the invitation of the property owner.”

Despite CRG’s efforts to disrupt, the unions ran their complete program, including announcing a new union at another CRG-owned property, Golden Spike Apartments in Denver, Colorado.

The unions represented at the action were from Kansas City, MO, Lee's Summit, MO, Louisville, KY, billings, MT, Detroit MI, Denver CO and from New Haven Ct. These unions, joined together in the Tenant Union Federation, are organizing in over 1500 units owned by Capital Realty Group.

The Tenant Union Federation issued the following statement:

“Mr. Eichler is desperate. Instead of meeting with his tenants, as they have repeatedly and respectfully requested, he has resorted to union-busting, intimidation, and now– outright abuse. This is evidence that Capital Realty Group is scared of their tenants’ power. Unfortunately for Mr. Eichler, his tactics are entirely ineffective, as the tenants’ organizing continues to expand. The tenants will not be intimidated. Mr. Eichler would be wise to meet the unions at the bargaining table and reach an immediate resolution, before his business suffers any further losses.”

Yale Postdocs, Allies Rally for Union Recognition

noreply@blogger.com (Joelle Fishman) — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 02:27:00 +0000

NEW HAVEN, CT — Hundreds of Yale Postdoctoral Scholars, joined by Local 33, 34, and 35 union members, students, and community allies, rallied before Thanksgiving to call on Yale University to immediately address the growing job insecurity and lack of vital workplace protections facing its Postdoctoral Scholars.

A majority of Yale postdocs have signed union cards and union leaders emphasized the need for Yale commit to a fair and neutral process for union recognition. Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, Connecticut State Senate President Martin Looney, New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker, and President of the New Haven Board of Alders Tyisha Walker-Myers voiced support for the organizing campaign.

The demonstration, which closed College Street near Yale’s Cross Campus, highlighted the high stakes of postdoctoral research at Yale, citing issues of job precarity, high cost of living, and the need for basic workplace rights.

Claire Laxton, a postdoc in Immunobiology, contrasted Yale’s wealth with the job insecurity she and her coworkers face: "Just a few weeks ago, Yale announced its endowment has grown to over 44 billion dollars. However, instead of using its massive wealth to bridge funding gaps and support all workers during this time, with skyrocketing living costs and federal funding cuts, postdocs are losing their jobs, as if we are disposable. But… We are not disposable!”

Postdoctoral Scholars spoke powerfully about the critical need for workplace protections to provide stability against the backdrop of shifting federal funding and rising costs.

The rally underscored the current two-tiered system on campus, where graduate workers represented by Local 33 have contract protections that postdocs who often work side-by-side with them, lack.

The rally closed with a commitment from all academic workers to stand together and insist that the University value their essential labor.

Adam Waters, President of Local 33, summarized the unified demands: “Just like grad workers, postdocs deserve health and safety protections, job security, fair treatment language, and a grievance procedure to deal with workplace issues. As postdocs and grad workers, we are also standing together in this moment to push back against unprecedented attacks on universities, on science, and on truth.”