Connecticut People Before Profits

GET CORPORATE MONEY OUT OF OUR DEMOCRACY!

noreply@blogger.com (tom324) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 18:50:00 +0000

Photo Above: The projection on the side of the wall of Citizens United Bank notes that "Corporations re not people" as part of a labor-community coalition demonstration on Jan. 19, 2012.

"Corporations Are NOT People and Money Is NOT Speech!" and "Get Corporate Money Out of Our Democracy" was the theme of two demonstrations held in Hartford on Jan. 19 and Jan. 20. The demonstration on Jan. 19 was sponsored by a labor-community coalition and the Jan 20 demonstration was titled "Occupy the Courts"sponsored by Occupy Hartford and a group of concerned citizens who are just getting organized. The demonstrators were part of national actions to protest the Citizens United Supreme Court decision.

In Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, [Jan. 21, 2010] a bitterly divided Supreme Court overturned a century of established precedent by ruling that corporate spending on candidate elections cannot be limited under the First Amendment.

In so doing, Justices Roberts, Scalia, Thomas, Alito, and Kennedy effectively declared that corporations are indistinguishable from people with respect to federal law and the U.S. Constitution. As a result of the Citizens United Supreme Court decision, corporations and billionaires can spend unlimited sums of money, without disclosure, in political campaigns.

Wall Street, oil and coal corporations, insurance and drug companies and the military-industrial-complex will weigh in with hundreds of millions of dollars to distort the truth and outright lie without disclosure or accountability to their shareholders or the public.

The goal of the top 1 percent is simple. They will spend as much as it takes to elect candidates who support a right-wing corporate agenda, and they will spend as much as it takes to defeat our candidates who are fighting for us, the 99 percent. Will our democracy survive in which ordinary people can control their future? Or will "democracy" simply become another commodity owned and controlled by billionaires and corporations in order to serve their own purposes? The 99% say "NO!" [See additional Photos of the demos below.]

Posted by: Tom Connolly

Home Child Care Providers Vote Union

noreply@blogger.com (Joelle Fishman) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:23:00 +0000

In an overwhelming yes vote, over 4,000 home child care providers have chosen union recognition. The providers are part of Connecitcut's Care-4-Kids program of the Department of Social Services.

The vote is the result of a several year campaign. House visits revealed that home child care providers have common problems that hamper their ability to provide the best possible early learning for the children they serve. In a secret ballot election, the home-based providers voted 1,603 to 88 for representation by CSEA/SEIU Local 2001.

"Standing together, child care providers will have a strong voice for the things we need to provide quality care," said Queen Freelove, a 20-year provider of day and after-school care in New Haven. "In this economy, parents are working longer hours to support their families and relying on child care providers for things like homework help after school. Parents and children will both benefit when we can talk to the state about improving the program," Freelove said.

Connecticut's in-home child care workers join family providers in 15 states who gained official standing to seek improvements in early learning through their unions. By having a voice, providers can help stabilize the child care workforce, expand family access, and work to retain experienced, trained child care providers, raising the quality of early learning.

The vote was possible because Governor Danell P. Malloy issued two executive orders allowing home health care and home child care providers to vote on representation. This aroused the ire of the Republicans and the right-wing. A concerted campaign by We the People of Connecticut, a Tea Party group, calling the orders unconstitutional, was unsuccessful in stopping the effort. Attempts in other states to stop home care workers from unionizing, including an attempted injunction in Minnesota, have been unsuccessful.

A working group convened by Malloy has a February deadline to prepare recommendations on how to structure a relationship between the state and the union representing the providers.

THURSDAY JAN. 19 - DEMO - CORPORATIONS ARE NOT PEOPLE!

noreply@blogger.com (tom324) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 12:04:00 +0000

Corporations Are NOT People and Money Is NOT Free Speech! Get Corporate Money Out of Our Democracy!

Join CCAG and the Connecticut Action Alliance for a Fair Economy for aMarch Through Hartford to Reclaim Our Democracy!

Date: Thursday, Jan. 19th, 2012
Time: 4:30 PM
Place: Assemble in front of the Old State House
800 Main Street Hartford, Ct

PLEASE PASS THIS MESSAGE ON TO FRIENDS

Today, as a result of the absurd Citizens United Supreme Court decision, corporations and billionaires can spend unlimited sums of money, without disclosure, in political campaigns.

Karl Rove’s American Crossroads has already pledged to spend at least $240 million in the elections of 2012. The extreme right-wing billionaire Koch brothers are probably spending even more. Wall Street, oil and coal corporations, insurance and drug companies and the military-industrial-complex will also weigh in with hundreds of millions of dollars to distort the truth and outright lie without disclosure or accountability to their shareholders or the public.

The goal of the top 1 percent is simple. They will spend as much as it takes to elect candidates who support a right-wing corporate agenda, and they will spend as much as it takes to defeat our candidates who are fighting for us, the 99 percent. Will our democracy survive in which ordinary people can control their future? Or will "democracy" simply become another commodity owned and controlled by billionaires and corporations in order to serve their own purposes?

January 21 is the anniversary of the bad Citizens United decision, and we, as the 99 percent, need to stand up to corporations and their big money! Join us on Thursday, January 19 as we march through Hartford to reclaim our democracy!

There is parking in the Constitution Plaza Garage; if you park on the street, read the parking signs carefully as they will ticket and tow you if you don't comply with the information on the signs.

For more information on the event, contact CCAG Political Director John Murphy at info@ccag.net or (860) 233-2181.

Source: CCAG - Posted by: Tom Connolly

JOBS FOR YOUTH - JOBS FOR ALL

noreply@blogger.com (tom324) — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 15:32:00 +0000

Jobs for Youth – Jobs for All!
People's World Amistad Awards and Youth Performances
December 20, 2011

Dear Friends, Allies, Sisters and Brothers,

2011 has been an extraordinary year for grass roots movement building on behalf of the 99% in New Haven, in Connecticut and across the country and around the world! The election of many new Alderpersons who are union activists is shifting the political balance in favor of the needs of working people in New Haven.

It was so inspiring to see this rising power in action during the first week of December for jobs, safety and youth needs. An overflow community gathering at Conte-West Hills School mapped out a grass roots agenda. A giant march of 1,000 organized by Occupy, unions and community groups converged on Wall St in New Haven with a clear message challenging corporate greed.
An outstanding rally during that week was the Jobs for Youth -Jobs for All People's World Amistad Awards Rally on December 4. Three leaders in this movement were honored – Renae Reese, director, Connecticut Center for a New Economy, Alderwoman-elect Delphine Clyburn and Pastor Abraham Hernandez.

The highlight of this event and the entire week was the youth of the Young Communist League (YCL) and New Elm City Dream who have stepped forward to secure their right to a decent future. In response to the 32 lives lost to violence in New Haven this year, most of them youth, these young people have taken leadership in the struggle for good jobs.

In the summer they went door knocking in the Aldermanic election. Next they organized a youth jobs roundtable at the New Haven Peoples Center and decided to meet every week. They learned how to ask their school friends and family to sign petitions in support of jobs legislation. They collected 650 signatures and organized a march of 200 through downtown New Haven. They held a rally for jobs and to re-open the Q House with MoveOn, and stood with the AFL-CIO at Senator Lieberman's office in Hartford, calling on him to support jobs legislation.

The Amistad Awards rally was held on the occasion of the 92nd anniversary of the Communist Party USA. While recognizing the honorees and enjoying poetry, song and dance performed by the youth, everyone also learned that the Communist Party is a staunch fighter for the working class in our country, which is why its name is so maligned by the 1%.

Through the decades, the Communist Party has always been there in the struggles against racism, and for equality, union rights and peace, while projecting the need for expanding the Bill of Rights to include economic and social justice – socialism USA- to achieve full equality. It is no accident that the Young Communist League is playing such a wonderful leadership role today.

This is to express appreciation to everyone in the community and labor movement who participated, supported, attended, performed, spoke, or otherwise contributed. We look forward to continuing to build this great movement together, and continuing to share and discuss our vision for a better world.

In Solidarity,
Amistad Awards Organizing Committee
37 Howe Street, New Haven CT 06511 (203) 624-8664 peoplesworld.org ct-pww@pobox.com
Posted by: Tom Connolly

VICTORY OVER THE TEA PARTY - A WIN FOR THE 99%

noreply@blogger.com (tom324) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 12:56:00 +0000

As you may have heard by now, John Boehner and his caucus of Tea Party obstructionists in the House of Representatives finally accepted political reality. Yesterday, they announced they'd join with 89 out of 100 senators from both political parties who’d already voted to renew unemployment aid for two months—with no cuts and no strings attached.This is an enormous victory.

Thanks to you, 2.8 million jobless Americans will have a brighter holiday season—and a helping hand over the next two months. Not an easy time. Not a handout or a free ride. But a lifeline and a chance that you made possible.

In the fight to extend aid for the jobless, the 99% went on the offense against the 1% politicians. And we won. And if working people keep it up, we’ll score more victories and build a better future. Not every time—two steps forward, one step back. But look around. People all across the country are saying our economy and our democracy are out of balance. And they’re winning the public debate.I hope you’ll take some well-deserved time this holiday season to rest, reflect and recharge. Because in 2012, huge challenges will keep on coming. And we’ll need you ready to start early, act often and work harder than ever.

I wish all the best for you and your family, for our unions and for our nation this holiday season and in the year ahead.Thank you for all the work you do.

In Solidarity,

Richard L. TrumkaPresident, AFL-CIO

P.S. Want to get more involved in our work? “Like” the AFL-CIO on Facebook.

Posted by Tom Connolly - Reprint Email from Richard Trumka, President of the AFL-CIO

Connecticut youth lead fight for jobs

noreply@blogger.com (Joelle Fishman) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 06:50:00 +0000

by Lisa Bergmann People's World December 19 2011

NEW HAVEN, Conn. - The Young Communist League and a new youth organization called the New Elm City Dream are on the front lines of the fight for jobs in Connecticut. The number of deaths in 2011 due to violence has risen to 32 in New Haven, where these youth groups are focused on linking the problem of youth violence to the lack of job opportunities. Most of the people who have been killed are young African American men. Most youth of color living in New Haven and other urban communities in Connecticut have been personally affected by violence.

The YCL helped found the New Elm City Dream this past September by organizing a Youth Jobs Roundtable, which was attended by over 40 young people and a number of adult leaders in the labor movement, elected officials, and other community organizations. At this meeting, youth from New Haven, also known as the "Elm City", and its surrounding areas identified a list of challenges they face as young people. These challenges included violence, teen pregnancy, lack of job opportunities, anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant hatred, drugs in the community, and struggling to gain respect from adults. The adults at the meeting from the labor movement and elsewhere in the city committed their support for a Youth Jobs Campaign.

Prior to this September meeting, the Young Communist League was part of the massive, successful community effort in New Haven during the summer of 2011 to elect 14 working-class leaders to the city's Board of Aldermen, where leaders with a working-class political orientation now hold a majority.

Having laid this foundation, the New Elm City Dream and the YCL are pushing the issue of jobs for youth into the public conversation in Connecticut. The first action the youth took was the collection of 650 signatures on a petition in support of Obama's American Jobs Act and Illinois Rep. Jan Schakowsky's Emergency Jobs to Restore the American Dream Act. The petition organizing led up to an action on November 2, when the New Elm City Dream led its first Youth Jobs March on the New Haven Green. The march was attended by over 200 people, including 80 youth and many allies from the labor and Occupy New Haven movements.

On Nov. 17, the New Elm City Dream teamed up with MoveOn.org and New Haven's Unemployed Action Committee to hold a press conference in front of the Dixwell Avenue Q House, one of New Haven's most historic youth and community centers. The Q House was a significant, comprehensive resource center in the heart of the African American community. It was closed down 10 years ago due to lack of funding, and community cries to reopen the center have been repeatedly ignored and disrespected since that time. The November 17 press conference called for jobs for youth and adults who want to work to rebuild centers like the Q House.

On December 4, at the People's World Amistad Awards in New Haven, the Communist Party, YCL, and the New Elm City Dream presented a full artistic program based on the theme of "Jobs for Youth, Jobs for All!" The program included dancers, slam poets, jazz musicians, graffiti artists, and more. Over 300 people filled the auditorium at the rally-style event, which highlighted the young people and their role in advocating for their own rights to decent jobs and decent lives.

On December 6, the labor movement, Occupy New Haven, the New Elm City Dream, and others came together in a march for jobs and safe streets that was attended by over 1,000 people. Marchers flooded the first floor of City Hall on the rainy December evening, symbolizing the new political strength working people have in the city following the aldermanic elections. The youth from the New Elm City Dream were asked to lead the 1,000-person march.

On December 8, nine young people from the New Elm City Dream rode 40 minutes up the highway to Hartford, the state capital, for a rally in front of Sen. Joseph Lieberman's office. The rally was organized by the Connecticut State AFL-CIO and the Hartford Labor Council, and called for jobs and an extension of unemployment insurance. The youth presented a giant card to Lieberman's representative, calling on the senator to support jobs for youth and jobs for all. During a camera interview with Fox News, Teyanna Gray, a New Haven high school student, stated, "When I get money from babysitting or other jobs, I use it to help my mom out with groceries and other things we need for my family. But I'm concerned because if I see my mom struggling now, I know I will need a good job to pay for things when I get to be an adult. So that's why we're saying that the youth need jobs too, to be able to provide for ourselves, and we promise we won't let you down."

Throughout the marches, rallies, and press conferences, the young people from the YCL and the New Elm City Dream have spoken publicly about the ways that violence has affected their lives. The November 2 Youth Jobs March began with a candlelight vigil to recognize the young people who have been killed in New Haven due to gun violence. Latoya Agnew, a 19-year-old from New Haven's Newhallville neighborhood, bravely shared her experience with gun violence at the November 17 press conference and the march on December 6. "When I was 12, my best friend and cousin was arrested and taken to jail," she said. "Then, when he was 18, he was shot, and I was with him when he got shot. Thankfully he didn't die, but the police didn't do anything about the guy who shot him, so when he went back to get revenge he was arrested again.
"Now he's in jail, and the only way I can communicate with him is through letters and phone calls," she said, her voice breaking.

The success of the youth jobs organizing in Connecticut is an indication that there is a national need to link record youth unemployment levels with the other urgent issues that urban youth face, including the perverse frequency of deaths amongst their peers. The decision the young people have made to connect youth violence with the lack of job opportunities has also created a strong link between the youth, the labor movement, and Occupy in New Haven. Capria Marks, 16-year-old member of the New Elm City Dream, MC'd the speaking program at the Youth Jobs March on November 2. In her opening statements, she said, "When I was younger, I would hear about my friends' grandparents dying, my parents' elders dying, and that was sad, but it seemed more normal. But now, we're losing our friends, our peers, our high school students! This has got to stop. The youth are here taking a stand to say we need jobs. If you remember in the civil rights movement, it was the youth who went to the front lines and even went to jail for what they believed. We are doing the same."

http://www.peoplesworld.org/connecticut-youth-lead-fight-for-jobs/

HOME CARE WORKERS VOTE 94% FOR THE UNION

noreply@blogger.com (tom324) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 17:31:00 +0000

By a vote of 1,603 to 88 the home care providers who participate in the CT. Care 4 Kids program vote to take the first step to joining CSEA/SEIU Local 2001. The Care 4 Kids program is the state's primary child care subsidy that is manged by the state Department of Social Services. The organizing drive has been going on for about 6 years. Fifteen other states have unionized home care providers. About 96 % of the home care providers are women.

Matt O'Connor, a spokesperson for CSEA/SEIU said, "This particular group needed a voice. They care for children of families who qualify for assistance to enable working parents to re-enter the job market for for folks to finish their education...They are an important part of early education."

Gov. Malloy noted that, "My position all along has been that family child care workers should have the right to organize, which is exactly what they have chosen to do. I hope that they will use their new collective voice to effect positive changes to the Care 4 Kids program."

Posted by Tom Connolly

OCCUPY HARTFORD WILL REMAIN ACTIVE

noreply@blogger.com (tom324) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 09:08:00 +0000

Photo Above: An Occupy Hartford action in Hartford on the steps to the Bank of America that took place several weeks ago. One of the signs notes: "The 99% vs The Bank of America."

Yesterday the Hartford Police at the directive of Mayor Pedro Segarra were evicted for their camp site. In spite of the eviction leaders noted that the movement will continue. JoAnne Beaer, one of the Occupiers said, "This disbandment will probably bring new people into the movement. It's like a Hydra -- you cut of a head and three more appear at that spot. That's what happened in other places where police have gone in to disband the camps." If the 1% thinks that closing a Occupy sites will stop the movement they are mistaken.

Hartford Occupiers with be present at vigil to demand the renewal of unemployment insurance. The action will talk place at Senator Lieberman's office on:

Date: Thursday, December 8th, 2011 --Time: 5 PM -- Place: Senator Lieberman's Office - 1 constitution Plaza, Hartford

TOGETHER WE STAND STRONG!!

Posted by Tom Connolly

RENEW UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE NOW! VIGIL DEC. 8TH

noreply@blogger.com (tom324) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 02:56:00 +0000

There will be a vigil at Senator Lieberman's Office to RENEW UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE NOW!

Date: Thursday, December 8th, 2011
Time: 5 PM
Place: Senator Lieberman’s Office - 1 Constitution Plaza, Hartford

Unless Congress acts to renew federal unemployment insurance by the end of the year, millions of unemployed workers will be cut off from this emergency lifeline.

Across the country, unemployed workers, community, religious, and labor will join together on Thursday, December 8th to call upon Congress to put partisanship aside and take urgent action to reauthorize the full federal unemployment insurance program through 2012.

Please join in calling upon Senator Joe Lieberman to make the right choice for Connecticut’s families and our economy by voting in favor of reauthorizing the extension.

Renew Unemployment Insurance Now!

For more information, please contact the Connecticut AFL-CIO at 860-571-6191
Posted by: Tom Connolly

Jobs for Youth - Jobs for All - Sun Dec 4 @ 4 pm

noreply@blogger.com (Joelle Fishman) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 05:12:00 +0000

As the City of New Haven reels from the 31st death of a young person to gun violence this year, the movement for job creation is heating up as mobilizing begins for a rally and a large march next week.

Excitement is building for the “Jobs for Youth – Jobs for All” rally to be held on Sunday, December 4 at 4 pm at the Cooperative High School for Arts and Humanities, 177 College Street in New Haven where a video of the youth jobs march will be premiered and People's World Amistad Awards will be presented to three labor and community leaders.

“Here we will all come together, this will be powerful and exciting,” exclaimed one high school student from New Haven.

After having organized a march of 200 for youth jobs and against violence on November 2, and a press conference on November 17 of nearly 100 outside the closed Dixwell Community House youth center, calling for infrastructure jobs, the New Elm City Dream and the New Haven YCL are preparing to bring their energy and commitment to the rally.

Award recipients are Renae Reese, director of the Connecticut Center for a New Economy, Delphine Clyburn, 1199 union delegate and alderwoman-elect from Ward 20 in New Haven, and Pastor Abraham Hernandez, vice chair of the state-wide Interfaith Fellowship for Universal Health Care.

An array of youth performances, produced by poet Baub Bidon, will include an Hispanic dance group, hip hop dancers, several poets, a jazz combo, and song. Video and photos of the youth march for jobs will be shown.

“The spirit of the 99% is sure to fill the auditorium,” said Joelle Fishman, event organizer and chair of the Connecticut Communist Party USA whose 92nd anniversary is being celebrated at the rally in recognition of its long history in the fight for good jobs with union representation, equality and peace, and its vision of Bill of Rights socialism.

In the midst of a people's upsurge against corporate rule, deepening poverty and the largest economic divide since the great depression of the 1930's, the rally call to action will include the emergency need for massive public works jobs to restart the economy and aid communities, to be paid for by taxing the rich and ending the wars.

The youth groups have collected hundreds of signatures in support of the American Jobs Act and the Emergency Jobs to Restore the American Dream Act.

"By putting all generations of people to work there will be less violence, and a better economy in New Haven.” said first year college student Joseph Stoudmire Jr. at the Youth Jobs March.

A group of newly elected representatives on the New Haven Board of Aldermen, mostly union members, have been invited as special guests along with labor and community leaders who have been recipients of the People's World Amistad Awards over the last eleven years.

Two days later the unions at Yale, the New Haven Labor Council and community groups are joining with Occupy New Haven for a large march through downtown to demand more jobs for all residents.

The march will leave at 5 p.m. from City Hall on December 6 and go to the AT&T building on Orange street in support of the workers and their union, Communication Workers of America, as they begin contract negotiations. The march will then go to Chase Bank, and fill New Haven's Wall Street near the Yale campus to support Yale workers who are also starting contract negotiations.

Tickets for the December 4 Amistad Awards rally are $10, and $1 for youth. For more information call 203-624-8664 or e-mail ct-pww@pobox.com

RED CROSS ON STRIKE!

noreply@blogger.com (tom324) — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 19:09:00 +0000

Photo Above: Part of the Red Cross picket line at the AFSCME Local 3145 location in Farmington, Ct. [Other photos below]

About 200 members of AFSCME Local 3145 went on unfair labor practice strike against the American Red Cross blood services division in Connecticut after negotiations failed to bring about a new contract. Today they where joined by their labor brothers and sisters and community supporters in a spirited rally and picket line.

The Red Cross workers worked nearly three years without a contract. An administrative law judge ruled in August that the CT Blood Services Region engaged in unfair labor practices, yet the company is still trying to eliminate the workers' right to bargain over health care, along with many other punishing proposals.
Photo above: Peggy Buchanan, center holding the megaphone, President of the Hartford Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, gives unqualified support to the Red Cross workers and facilitated the rally.

Posted by Tom Connolly

RED CROSS WORKERS ON STRIKE! NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT

noreply@blogger.com (tom324) — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 13:29:00 +0000

Yesterday about 200 members of AFSCME Local 3145 went on unfair labor practice strike against the American Red Cross blood services division in Connecticut after negotiations failed to bring about a new contract.

Our members have worked nearly three years without a contract. An administrative law judge ruled in August that the CT Blood Services Region engaged in unfair labor practices, yet the company is still trying to eliminate our workers' right to bargain over health care, along with many other punishing proposals.

Our sisters and brothers of Local 3145 need your support. Please join them on the picket line for any time that you can spare. Picketing is on-going at American Red Cross's main office at 209 Farmington Ave., Farmington. Please keep checking the Council 4 website for updates.

In Solidarity,

Sal Luciano, Executive Director
Council 4 AFSCME
Issued by the Greater Hartford Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO
Posted by Tom Connolly

Amistad Awards: Jobs for Youth – Jobs for All!

noreply@blogger.com (Joelle Fishman) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 03:02:00 +0000

“Jobs for Youth – Jobs for All!” Is the theme of this year's People's World Amistad Awards rally to be held Sunday, December 4, 2011 at 4 pm at Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School, 177 College Street, New Haven.

Cultural presentations by New Haven high school students will be featured, including music, dance and poetry. Recognition will be made of the Youth March for Jobs held last week in New Haven.

The event will celebrate the contributions and example of three Connecticut leaders who challenge economic inequality and are in the forefront of organizing for jobs, health care and opportunities for youth:

Renae Reese, director of the Connecticut Center for a New Economy and past director of ConnectiCOSH.

Delphine Clyburn, New England 1199 steward, Newhallville neighborhood organizer and Alderwoman-elect in Ward 20,

Pastor Abraham Hernandez, Interfaith Fellowship for Universal Health Care, and a leader for jobs and political representation in the Puerto Rican and African American community.

The rally will bring people together in hope and unity to reject bigotry and fear and build the growing movement to pass national jobs legislation, rebuild the American Dream and put people before profits.

The annual awards are presented to allies by the People's World on the occasion of the 92nd anniversary of the Communist Party USA.

To reserve tickets or participate in the greeting book contact the event committee at 203-624-8664. The deadline for ad copy is November 19, 2011.

THE HARTFORD COURANT & CORPORATE GREED

noreply@blogger.com (tom324) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 19:26:00 +0000

Photo above: Members of 32BJ and their labor and community supporters held a second demonstration today outside of the Hartford Courant to save janitors jobs. [See other photos below the article]

Members of labor unions and community organizations joined with their brothers and sisters of SEIU 32BJ in a second spirited demonstration today to stop the Hartford Courant from contracting non-union janitors. In a statement release by the 32BJ it noted that the Hartford Courant decided to bring in a non-union cleaning contractor on December 1st, at the expense of the eight long-term union cleaners. Some of the eight union workers have been with the Courant for over 20 years.

At the same time the Courant is cutting union jobs with health health insurance participates of the Management Incentive Program of the Courant parent company and the Courant stand to receive combined bonuses of up to $42,500,000 dollars. The fight to save union jobs at the Courant will continue.

You can reach Richard J. Graziano, Publisher of the Hartford Courant at 860-241-6780. Ask him to stop management bonuses and save the union jobs of the dedicated 32BJ workers.

Photo above: Peggy Buchanan, center holding the megaphone, President of the Hartford Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, gives unqualified support to the workers of 32BJ at the demonstation today.

Photo above: State Senator, John Fonfara, Deputy Majority Leader of the State Senate speaking into the megaphone said he will stand by the 32BJ workers and fight to help kept their jobs.

Posted by Tom Connolly

JOBS FOR HARTFORD, NOT GIVEAWAYS FOR THE HARTFORD INSURANCE COMPANY!!

noreply@blogger.com (tom324) — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 08:48:00 +0000

Photo above: The four Working Families candidates for Hartford City Council lead a demonstration against the The Hartford Insurance Company on Oct. 18 to strop corporate welfare. From right to left the candidates are: Dr. Larry Deutsch, Joel Cruz, Cynthia Jennings and Luis Cotto. [See other photo's below]

The Hartford Insurance Company has benefited from public subsidies at the federal and the local level. In 2009, The Hartford received $3.4 billion in TARP federal funding. Hartford Insurance also received a Tax Fixing Agreement from the City of Hartford worth millions in property tax reductions. Both WFP members of the Council voted against the giveaway.

While the Hartford Insurance Company is enormously profitable--making over $1.5 billion in profit in 2010--the Hartford has eliminated over 2000 jobs in Connecticut in the last 4 years, and is planning to cut hundreds of more jobs. Working Families was joined at the demonstration by members of labor unions, Occupy Hartford and community groups.
Photo above: Penny Layne, 4 years old, is the littlest protested at the demonstration but she make lots of noise. Penny and her mom, Taylor, have been sleeping over at Occupy Hartford. Taylor was clear that we have to put jobs ahead of corporate profits.

Photo above: Dr. Larry Deutsch, a Working Families candidate, being interviewed by CT Fox News at the demonstration.

Posted by Tom Connolly

ANTI WAR, LABOR AND OCCUPY HARTFORD JOIN FORCES TO SAY "NO TO WAR AND BRING THE TROOPS AND WAR DOLLARS HOME"

noreply@blogger.com (tom324) — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 09:14:00 +0000

Photo above: John Olsen, President of the CT AFL-CIO, is the lead speaker at the state capitol at the Bring the War Dollars Home march and rally held on Oct 16, 2011. [See additional photos below.]

Hundreds of protesters gathered at Hartford City Hall, marched to the State Capitol and then over to the Occupy Hartford across from the YWCA on Asylum street to say "No to War - Bring the Troops and War Dollars Home and Battle Super Rich and Corporate Greed." It was a very broad coalition of groups that included labor, anti-war, Occupy Hartford, community organizations and a broad range of political activists.

Hartford City Councilman Luis Cotto of the Working Families Party said, "You should be able to count on a job that pays the bills, health care for when you need it, a pension for when you retire, and an education for children that will allow them to fulfill their God-given potential." He also noted that "In Hartford alone based on the $34.8 million city taxpayers are paying toward the war the city could have health insurance of 13,116 low-income children for one year, it could fund 4,406 Head Start slots for one year, or 418 school teachers for one year, or 3,518 scholarships for college students for one year." [See additional photos below]

Posted by Tom Connolly

THE OCCUPATION CONTINUES IN HARTFORD-COME JOIN THE POTLUCK DINNER THIS SUNDAY

noreply@blogger.com (tom324) — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 17:21:00 +0000

The Occupy Hartford movement continues to gain support and grow. During the Hartford marathon road race today hundreds of the runners went by the Occupy Hartford and expressed support for the movement. [See other photos below]

A Occupy Hartford Potluck Dinner is planned for:

Date: Sunday Oct.16, 2011
Time: 5:30 PM
Place: Turning Point Park @ Broad and Farmington/Asylum - Right across from the YWCA - For more directions call 860-384-0381

Roze, Alex Wilson and James Kozikouski holding signs on Farmington Ave. as traffic passes Occupy Hartford.

Jeffery Harris and Luke Johnson, both who have been homeless for several years join the Occupy Hartford movement.

Posted by Tom Connolly

Good Jobs Now for the 99 Percent

noreply@blogger.com (Joelle Fishman) — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 03:51:00 +0000

CT People's World Oct 14, 2011

An outpouring of protest against extreme wealth disparities and support for job creation took place across Connecticut this week, sparked by Occupy Wall St. and a national week of action for Jobs not Cuts.

Joining cities from coast to coast, Occupy Hartford and Occupy New Haven began with a wide variety of young people, social justice and peace activists, and union supporters coming together to say “enough is enough” to corporate greed. Many are unemployed or only able to get part time work. Similar events were held in Danbury and Branford in the name of the 99 percent being squashed by the richest one percent and big corporations.

An “Occupy Waterbury” march on Bank of America led by the Western Connecticut Labor Council, exposed the profitable bank's plans to charge a $5 credit card fee, lay off 30,000 people and charge fees to veterans.

In New Britain, AFSCME members gathered at New Britain High School to support the American Jobs Act to put Connecticut residents back to work rebuilding roads, bridges and schools.

A national teach-in “Students Rising for Jobs and Economic Justice” which was streamed live from the University of California, took place at Southern Connecticut State University with a call to action to participate in the upsurge of activity for jobs and justice in nearly every community.

In New Haven a honk and wave at the financial center near City Hall attracted honks in response to shouts for “Jobs not Cuts” and “Tax the Rich”. Signatures were collected for Congress to pass the American Jobs Act and put people back to work fixing up their communities.

In Hartford, a MoveOn rally at Sen Joe Lieberman's office called on him to take a stand for the people of Connecticut instead of the bankers on Wall St. by supporting the American Jobs Act. A rally and march from City Hall to the State Capitol “Money for Jobs and Education, Not War and Incarceration!” will be held Sunday.

BRING OUR WAR DOLLARS HOME NOW!

noreply@blogger.com (tom324) — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 20:23:00 +0000

JOIN THE MARCH AND RALLY TO BRING OUR WAR DOLLARS HOME NOW!

DATE: SUNDAY OCT. 16, 2011
TIME: 2 pm
PLACE: Leave from City Hall in Hartford and march to the State Capitol
Posted by: Tom Connolly

DO NOT MISS THIS PERFORMANCE!

noreply@blogger.com (tom324) — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 19:44:00 +0000

All the way from South Africa… Sharon Katz & The Peace Train-- with Special Guest: Abigail Kubeka

DATE: Sunday Oct. 30, 2011
TIME: 7 PM
PLACE: Unitarian Meeting House - 50 Bloomfield Ave. - Hartford, CT
TICKETS: $20.00 Adult -- 15 and under are FREE
CONTACT: Brian for tickets and info: 860-233-9897 EXT 102 - bmullen@ushartford.com

Discovered by Miriam Makeba when she was just 16, the now-legendary Abigail Kubeka makes her US debut this year to launch Double Take, a new CD just recorded in South Africa with Sharon Katz & The Peace Train. Their fall 2011 tour includes stops across New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Washington, DC.

Soul-sisters Abigail and Sharon both grew up in South Africa under the old apartheid regime and had to hide from the police to perform their music, but Double Take shows how powerful voices can never be silenced. The songs go far beyond questioning the stories we’re told to believe; they make you want to dance, laugh, cry, shout, and hug somebody.

As a teenager, Abigail joined Miriam Makeba’s group The Skylarks. When the police would raid a club looking for black people who were violating apartheid’s unjust laws, Abigail and her bandmates had to pretend to be working in the kitchen. She later went on to perform throughout Africa, Europe and Asia; share the stage with Sarah Vaughn and Eartha Kitt; and sing for Queen Elizabeth II when she visited President Mandela. Abigail is also an accomplished actress who has starred on TV as well as the West End in London.

Sharon’s multicultural performing group broke apartheid’s barriers and made history in 1993 when they toured throughout South Africa aboard a train – The Peace Train – to promote Mandela’s vision of a nonracial democracy. When CNN filmed Sharon jumping out of a helicopter with her guitar in a remote area, to teach the rural people about the voting process through song, Sharon Katz & The Peace Train were propelled into an international career that has spanned three continents and coast-to-coast US appearances.

Don't miss it!!

Posted by Tom Connolly

JOBS FOR YOUTH - JOBS FOR ALL!

noreply@blogger.com (Joelle Fishman) — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 15:41:00 +0000

Amistad Awards and Youth Performances
Anniversary Rally & Greeting Book

Sunday, December 4th at 4 pm at Cooperative Arts and
Humanities High School, 177 College St, New Haven
Greeting book deadline is November 19, 2011

We are excited to announce the recipients of this year's Amistad Awards which will be presented by the People's World on Sunday, December 4, 2011 at 4 pm at a special anniversary rally and youth cultural program, “Jobs for Youth – Jobs for All!” in New Haven at Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School, 177 College Street.

We rally in hope and unity to reject bigotry and fear and build the growing movement to pass national jobs legislation, rebuild the American Dream and put people before profits.

We celebrate the contributions and example of Renae Reese, Delphine Clyburn and Pastor Abraham Hernandez, three wonderful leaders and role models who challenge economic inequality and are in the forefront of organizing for jobs, health care and opportunities for youth.

Renae Reese inspires grass roots organizing for economic rights and health care as director of the Connecticut Center for a New Economy. She is passionate for workers' safety and union rights, as past director of ConnectiCOSH and an organizer of UHP, AFT Local 3837 at UConn Health Center.

Delphine Clyburn is a Local 1199 union steward with years of dedication to equal rights on the job and in the community where she is leading the struggle for jobs for Newhallville residents in New Haven as an Alderwoman-elect, and involving young people to make social change.

Pastor Abraham Hernandez is recognized across Connecticut for his compassionate work with the Interfaith Fellowship for Universal Health Care and a decade of struggles for jobs for Latino and African American residents and for bringing Latino youth into the political process.

The annual awards are presented to allies by the People's World on the occasion of the 92nd anniversary of the Communist Party USA.

We hope that you and your family and friends will attend. We invite your participation in this special annual greeting book to recognize the recipients, honor those who have gone before, and celebrate the leadership coming forward from youth today. The deadline is November 19, 2011.

GREETING BOOK:
Centerspread $350 - center two pages of the book
Patron page  $225 - special placement in the book
Full page    $125
Half page    $65
Quarter page $35
Name         $10
Send by e-mail to: ct-pww@pobox.com or mail to 37 Howe St, New Haven, CT 06511

TICKETS:
$10 each
$25 each for solidarity tickets (includes name in book)

Checks to People's World. Mail to 37 Howe St, New Haven CT 06511

People's World Amistad Awards Committee
37 Howe Street, New Haven CT 06511
(203) 624-8664

OCCUPY WALL STREET GOES COAST TO COAST

noreply@blogger.com (tom324) — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 08:57:00 +0000

The Occupy Wall Street movement has gone coast to coast. Join the action! See below.
The two photos below are from a recent organizing meeting of the Occupy Hartford movement. The next action is Friday Oct 7. The People's World story that follows is about the organizing effort in Los Angeles.

"MARCH WITH "OCCUPY HARTFORD"

WHEN: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7 BEGINNING AT 5PM
WHERE: FROM BUSHNELL PARK. MEET AT ENTRANCE CLOSEST TO TRAIN STATION ON ASYLUM ST.
WHY: PROTESTING THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS THAT MAKE MASSIVE PROFITS AND LEAVE US BROKE
WHO: THE NEWLY-FORMED "OCCUPY HARTFORD" ACTIVISTS

The following article is from the PEOPLE'S WORLD ON-LINE
People’s World On Line – It’s Free – Sign-Up: www.peoplesworld.org

LA JOINS THE "WE ARE THE 99 PERCENT MOVEMENT"

by: Rossana Cambron & Luis Rivas –

LOS ANGELES - On Oct 1 people in Los Angeles came together from all walks of life to join in solidarity with the Occupy Movement on Wall Street, calling on the banks to pay their fair share.

Chanting "Banks got bailed our, we got sold out" and "We are the 99 percent" referring the fact that 1 percent of the people make up the wealthiest while the 99 percent are losing their jobs and their homes, while students are burdened with crushing debt but have no prospects to finding a job.

Over 2,000 people came out, marching from Pershing Square to City Hall, where 300 plus camped out the first night. People are urged to join the Occupation, when they can, participate in the many committees formed to deal with the varied tasks.
According to participants, the occupation is a people's movement to show that you are sick and tired of this system and it needs changing. Over 100 cities across the country are organizing their own actions.

Occupy Los Angeles has been in the making since Sept. 23, working in solidarity with all the occupation movements around the country. As the case across the country, the majority of Occupy Los Angeles is made up of young people and students.
Andy Diaz, a journalism major at East Los Angeles College said, "We were promised a change in this country and I haven't seen it thus far. If you look at the doctrine of capitalism, it's just 'get wealthy by all means.' I believe we should work collectively, for the wellbeing of humanity in general."

Many local officials and other community members that feel affected by the economic crisis have begun to participate. Mario Brito, Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Councilmember, said, "You have 99 percent of the nation's wealth in the one percent's hands. You have to deal with the fact that banks were bailed out while people are being evicted. This country, you know, if there ever was ever an American Dream, that American Dream has surely become a nightmare."

Occupy Los Angeles made use of social media sites such as Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Tumblr to mobilize and encourage people to attend the meetings. The Los Angeles group's Facebook has grown on a daily basis.

Protest signs and fliers depict the popular Twitter hashtag: #OccupyLA, #OccupyLosAngeles, #OWSLosAngeles. They are riddled in thousands of tweets, and every occupation effort has a Facebook page, where local members post events or news updates, some doing so by the hour, by the minute and featuring live video streaming. Self-described Internet activist hacking group Anonymous has publically endorsed the occupation movements.

An anonymous video was uploaded on Sept. 26 by YouTube user xouchthathurtzx announcing its support of the occupation movement.

"Already we have made tremendous progress. In just a little over a week occupy initiatives have sprung up in over 30 U.S. cities. This is now bigger than you, or me. It is about us, a collective 99 percent that will no longer stand for the corruption, greed and inequality that is rampant within our governing bodies," Anonymous said in the video.

Nadir Romo, international affairs major at New York's New School of Social Research, has been following Occupy Wall Street and had this to say, "If people think we live in a democracy, then this is an example of how we do not live in a democracy because our resources are being diverted for financial gain against the people. I think that this is a very important event - the occupation is something that, I think, will continue to grow."

Joe Briones, cinema production major and member of the Ralph Bunches Scholar's program at Los Angeles City College, commented on how the Occupy movement affects students directly:

"One of the demands that the Occupy Wall Street group has come up with is that the wars end immediately and that the money be spent on infrastructure and schools. If they ended the wars, you know how much money there'd be for financial aid? Eliminating this whole student loan system. You're thousands of dollars in debt and there's no job to pay off the debt? That's a fucked up situation. If you're unhappy with those things, come to Occupy Los Angeles!"

People’s World On Line – It’s Free – Sign-Up: www.peoplesworld.org
Posted by Tom Connolly

HELP SAVE THE JOBS OF DEDICATED BJ 32 WORKERS

noreply@blogger.com (tom324) — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 18:22:00 +0000

Photo Above: Members of SEIU BJ 32 and their labor and community supporters march on the Hartford Courant to save janitors jobs. See other photos at the end of this article.

Members of labor unions and community organizations joined with their brothers and sisters of SEIU 32 BJ in a spirited demonstration today to stop the Hartford Courant from contracting non-union janitors. In a statement release by the 32 BJ it noted:

"We are the janitors who have been cleaning the Hartford Courant facility of many years in order to support our families. Some of us have been working here over twenty years.

It looks like on October 1, 2011, Capitol Cleaning, our employer, will no longer have the contract here. Please reach out ot RICHAD J. GRAZIANO, president of the Hartford Courant, and tell him to save good jobs that provide affordable health care."

You can reach Richard J. Graziano, president of the Hartford Courant at: 860-241-6780.

Posted by Tom Connolly

SEIU 32 BJ RALLY - SEPT. 28, 2011

noreply@blogger.com (tom324) — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 12:10:00 +0000

Please come out to support your union brothers and sisters of SEIU 32 BJ who work for Capitol Cleaning and clean The Hartford Courant. The Hartford Courant will be replacing Capitol Cleaning with a non-union company in the very near future.

There will be a rally on:

Date: Wednesday, September 28
Time: 12 Noon
Place: The Hartford Courant (around back at the loading dock entrance) at the Flower Street/Lawrence Street side under the 84 underpass.

For more information, please contact the SEIU 32BJ at 850-506-8674
Posted by Tom Connolly

THE FIGHT TO SAVE THE EARLY CONNECTIONS PROGRAM

noreply@blogger.com (tom324) — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 19:45:00 +0000

PHOTO ABOVE: Parents, students, staff and labor and community supporters marched from the CT legislative office building to the Department of Developmental Services' (DSS) today to protest cuts to the Early Connections Birth to Three program. [See additional photos at the end of this article.]

The Department of Developmental Services (DSS) "Early Connections" Birth to Three program is a primary source of intervention and care for infants and toddlers with special needs in local communities across Connecticut. The program was established under the Unified Schools District #3 in 19789 as the first of its type in Connecticut, and has since served more than 40,000 children.

Barbara Carlson, mother of two Early Connections graduates noted, "Early Connections enables families to become strong advocates for their children. To eliminate this program would deny many families the dream of seeing their children realize their potential, the very basic desire of any parent." The program currently services about 250 children and their families. The staff has been notified that they are no longer able to accept new admissions and the program will be permanently closed.

In 2009, DDS stopped accepting referrals to Early Connections, and even closed new admissions for nearly six months. The move was so costly that the former commissioner testified to the legislature at the time that it contributed to dragging the department $ 9 million deeper in deficit.

As far back as 2006, program administrators acknowledged that fiscal burden of shutting-down Early Connections. It a report to the department, they assessed a cost of between $87,610.00 and $116,813.00 to shift each teacher's caseload, based on serving between 12 and 16 children, to private contractors.

With the increase in the service demand for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and other developmental delays, not is not the time to limit choices for Connecticut families.

CALL GOVERNOR MALLOY'S OFFICE TODAY AT (800) 406-1527 OR Twitter @GovMalloyOffice or email from the governor's webpage at www.governor.ct.gov/malloy/

KEY POINTS: 1. Early Connections is Connecticut's original publicly operated Birth to Three program and has been nationally recognized for the quality of its intervention and school readiness services for more than 30 years.

2. Early connections is the primary source of intervention and care for children under three years old with delays and special needs, including children with Autism, in local communities across the state.

3. In 2009, the DDS Commissioner testified to the legislature that outsourcing the state's publicly-operated Early connections program helped drag the agency at least $9 million deeper in deficit.

Posted by Tom Connolly