The 2008 People's Calendar celebrates the 10th Anniversary of the Vermont Workers' Center and has great photos of workers' rights struggles and victories in VT from the past decade (like the cover shot is from the 2002 Fletcher Allen nurses union organizing victory!) Each month feautures inspiring social justice quotes and is loaded with Vermont and global historical dates celebrating the struggles and people that have shaped our world.
Get your copy today — order at our online store, come by our new space, or become a monthly sustainer and receive the calendar as a free gift.
2008 People's Calendar now available
Workers' Center to Join Worldwide Mobilizations January 26
On January 26, 2008, people around the world will take to the streets for a worldwide mobilization to demonstrate that "Another World Is Possible," and a determination to converge our many struggles — for workers' rights, against war, for climate justice and others — into one movement.
The Vermont Workers' Center has joined with the Vermont chapter of Iraq Veterans Against the War and the Global Justice Ecology Project to initiate a "Call to Vermont Organizations" to participate in these mobilizations. We are proposing the themes of war, healthcare and climate change for a united public demonstration because we believe these are the three largest issues facing Vermonters today, but in keeping with the spirit of openness of the World Social Forum, from which the call for mobilizations originated, we are encouraging other organizations to plan additional events and activities during the week of January 21-27 around the theme that "another world is possible." Workshops, educational forums, direct actions, and social events are all encouraged.
To view the call, visit wsf2008vt.blogspot.com
We encourage Workers' Center members, supporters and allied organizations to:
1) Sign on to the call (as an organization or an individual) by emailing globaljustice [at] workerscenter [dot] org
2) Stay informed by signing up for the listserve (sign up at wsf2008vt.blogspot.com)
3) Propose (or plan) additional activities. The Workers' Center will publicize a comprehensive list of all activities during the week, so let us know what you're planning at globaljustice [at] workerscenter [dot] org
We have a real CENTER! Open House Party Nov. 17th
294 N. Winooski Ave (next to Imani), Burlington (sign coming soon, above added in Photoshop). [ more about the center | photos from November 17 housewarming party ]
We are very excited to have a real Vermont Workers' Center space and its in a great building with community partners like Imani Youth & Family Center, Center For Media & Democracy - Channel 17 and other great groups in the heart of the Old North End. We need your help and we would love to have you involved. Here's what you can do:
- Join the Workers' Center today, become a Sustainer and help support this work! Click here to do it secure online right now
- Seeking donations: Big dry-erase board, big conference table, comfy office chairs, big couch, shelves and newer computers and copiers.
- Also if you have any sweet old Workers' Center-related photos, send them to us, we're trying to collect stuff for our 10th Anniversary.
Thanks!!
SiCKO film & discussion at UVM Nov. 14th
Film: SiCKO film and Panel discussion about establishing a universal health care system [POST EVENT NOTE: Huge turnout, 350+, great job to all the organizers!!]
6:00pm, Weds, Nov 14th
CC Theater (Billings Theater), University of Vermont, Burlington
Free Admission and Food
A film by Michael Moore about the US health care system. Audiences across the country have said this is Moore's best film by far and have found it to be a must-see hillarious and scathing scathing critique of the health care system of the richest country in the world. Panel discussion about stories from the frontlines of our healthcare system and steps toward establishing longterm solutions. Panel includes Dr. Deb Richter from Vermont Health Care For All, Jennifer Henry, RN and President of the Fletcher Allen nurses union, and Carmyn Stanko, President of the UVM Service & Maintenance Workers UE Local 267.
Hosted by the Student Labor Action Project (SLAP) and Vermont Workers' Center
Other sponsors include: UVM United Academics, Students Against War, International Socialist Organization, and UVM Progressives
Tell Governor Douglas To Stop The Sale!
Citizens to deliver message to Governor Douglas:
“Don’t let Vermont take a wrong turn on the information superhighway!”
Who: Seniors, clergy, first responders, teachers, elected officials, and telephone workers
What: Short briefing at 10:30 AM for news media at the State House. Immediately afterwards, our group will present a wheelbarrow with thousands of post cards the Governor's office.
Where: State House, Cedar Creek Room, Montpelier, VT
When: 10:30 AM, Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Why: The movement opposing the proposed sale of Verizon to FairPoint is growing. With all public hearings concluded, opponents of the sale want to make sure that the Governor gets the message: Stop the Sale!
More information about why citizens are mobilizing to stop the sale of Verizon’s landlines to FairPoint is at: www.stopthesalenow.org and www.no-deal.org
Burlington para-educators livable wage victory
Statement made at the BEA press conference November 1, 2007
James Haslam, Director, Vermont Workers’ Center
The Vermont Workers’ Center is a statewide workers’ rights organization committed to fighting for workers’ rights. DO do this we work with folks across the state organizing in their workplaces and communities. What the Burlington Para-educators and the Burlington Education Association has been able to accomplish with this victory is extraordinary. This a livable wage victory translates directly into raising the standards in a profession that is sorely undervalued. Para-educators play a critical role in public education in this community and their contributions should be rewarded.
For the past year, we have helped coordinate the Burlington Livable City Coalition, a group of is community organizations and unions that works to make Burlington truly livable for all its residents. The City of Burlington has been nationally recognized for being one of the most “Livable Cities In the Country”, yet there are still thousands of families living in poverty and thousands of workers still being paid poverty wages. You cannot have a livable city without livable wages. We know our city will be a better city when all the jobs pay real livable wages, when the children of this city are not forced to grow up in poverty, and when people can live with basic dignity. The reason they call the labor movement a movement, is because one victory can inspire other victories. And we hope the food service and other Burlington School staff will be announcing their livable wage victory very soon. These victories will inspire other victories just like them.
The idea of livable wages is the basic principle of respect and what is just. If the job is worth doing than the person doing that job deserves to be able to make a living doing it. The only people I have ever known who do not believe that people should be paid livable wages are those who make far more than a livable wage. We look forward to more and more people getting involved, fighting for livable wages, and for working to make a truly livable community for all of our residents. Thank you and congratulations.
Workers' Center members join 10,000+ at Boston March Against The War
Over two dozen members of the Vermont Workers' Center and Vermont Labor Against The War marched in Boston on Saturday, October 27th as part of a national rallies against the war.
See more photos
See Boston Globe Story
Free Workers' Rights Seminar in Barre and VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Hotline On The Road: The Vermont Workers Center is taking its popular Workers Rights Hotline on the road.
We’ve invited officials from Vermont’s departments of Wage & Hour, Workers’ Compensation, and the Attorney General’s office to join the Hotline Staff in answering your questions about your rights at work.
Get Answers to your Questions about
- discrimination
- unpaid wages
- harassment
- work related injuries
- howyou can help build a workers' rights movement and more
More questions call the Vermont Workers' Rights Hotline at 866-229-0009.
Volunteers Needed: The Hotlline staff of the Vermont Workers Center is seeking 1 - 2 additional volunteers who would be willing to take a weekly or twice monthly shift on the hotline. Hotline volunteers take questions from workers over the phone and provide information about their rights at work, make referrals and sometimes offer other assistance. The Workers Center will provide training for anyone wishing to join the existing hotline crew of volunteers. We are especially interested in anyone who do a Saturday or Sunday shift once a week or twice a month but are also interested in recruiting another volunteer for a weekday shift. Shifts are two hours are may be done from either the Montpelier office or from Burlington.
The hotline staff is also looking for help leafletting downtown Barre and/or Montpelier any day from now until November 8. We are distributing fliers about the upcoming Hotline on the Road event scheduled for November 8 in Barre. Email hotline [at] workerscenter.org if you are interested in volunteering.
The VWC is also looking for folks to help paint its new Burlington office. Email james [at] workerscenter.org if you can help.
Benefit a success
Matt Howard from Iraq Veterans Against The War (IVAW) spoke powerfully at the IVAW and Workers' Center benefit show Friday night, where there was a big turnout despite some serious pouring rain outside. The weather delayed Bernie Sanders' flight home, but we had great music and a lot of fun.
Much thanks to everyone who came out in the rain to support the cause and special thanks to all the bands and Julie Winn and Brendan Hatch who organized the show! Stay tuned for some exciting Workers' Center news coming soon...
Friday Night at Metronome!
Doors open at 9pm! Come to dance and support the VT Workers' Center and Iraq Vets Against The War. If you haven't heard Matt Howard yet, don't miss this opportunity. Bernie will be there also, schedule permitting. Email james [at] workerscenter.org if you have any questions.
Burlington Para-educators Reach Tentative Agreement!
At 8:30pm on Friday, October 12th, the Burlington Education Association (BEA) and the Burlington School District reached a tentative contract agreement for Para-Educators. Details of the contract will be shared upon ratification.
“For the past three years, Burlington Para-Educators have been working to make livable wages a reality. On behalf of the BEA, I would like to thank the hundreds of community members who have attended school board meetings, contacted school board commissioners, attended rallies, marches, attended the Labor Day parade, signed petitions in support of livable wages, wrote letters to the newspapers, and in countless other ways, supported our campaign for livable wages for our Para-Educators,” says Rebecca Smith, BEA President. “We encourage the community to continue to support the other school employees still in negotiations. We’d like to especially thank the Vermont Workers’ Center, the Vermont Livable Wage Campaign, and the other participants in the Burlington Livable City Coalition. The BEA is committed to working in collaboration to make Burlington a truly livable city.”
Stay tuned for next steps to support the rest of the Burlington School support staff still in negotiations, which includes the food service and custodial and maintenance workers. Having livable wages for all Burlington School staff will be a huge step forward for our community.
Velan Valve Strike Over
The Velan Valve workers reached an agreement last night and went back to work today. Mark Nadeau, IAM Local 2704 union president, he said they reached a compromise on health care insurance, still a hike but not as big as the company wanted. Thank you to everyone who stopped by their picket line to demonstrate support (and all those who were planning on heading down today!)
Mark thought that he and other IAM Local 2704 union members would definitely be interested in joining the VWC Healthcare Action Committee to make health care publicly financed and a basic right for every Vermonter.
If you would also be interested in getting invovled with a VWC Healthcare Action Committee let us know, email james [at]workerscenter.org.
Also, two VWC members were in Peter Freyne's column in Seven Days this week. Jen Henry, RN and President of the Fletcher Allen nurses union and UPV/AFT and Matt Howard from Iraq Vets Against The War. Check it out, there's a photo of Jen.
http://www.sevendaysvt.com/columns.html
Support Striking Velan Valve Workers in Williston!
This week 113 workers Velan Valve in Williston, who members of International Aerospace Machinists Local 2704 went on strike. Their contract expired on October 7th and workers voted to strike the factory instead of letting the company almost triple their health insurance costs. Velan Valve is a worldwide manufacturer of valves and the largest sutomer of the Williston factory is the US Government.
PLEASE STOP BY THEIR PICKET LINE
Which is operating 24 hours a day until the strike settles.
Velan Valve Corp. is located at 94 Avenue C in Williston
See the story in the WCAX
Solidarity for Midwives and Burlington School Support Staff
Dozens of nurses and community supporters celebrate outside Fletcher Allen Board of Trustees meeting after agreement to 24/7 Midwifery Program was restored. 
Community members, members of the Student Labor Action Project (SLAP), Vermont Livable Wage Campaign and Vermont Workers' Center attend Burlington School Board meeting to reiterate call for livable wages.
JOIN US TUESDAY For 2 Burlington Board Meetings
Fletcher Allen Trustees Meeting: Come show your support of the midwives and make sure the agreement is in place to keep the 24/7 midwifery program. The efforts of the community and nurses union has resulted in a tentative agreement (see the Free Press story ) ), now we need to make sure they follow through with it.
Burlington School Board Meeting: Its coming down to the wire, join us for this final push to establish livable wages for all school support staff. The best way to start fighting poverty and stopping paying poverty wages. Also, join us in supporting the proposal to take closing any of the Old North End elementary schools off the table
Looking Ahead
On Saturday, September 29th twenty members of the Vermont Workers' Center (VWC) spent the day discussing priorities and next steps. In 2006, VWC members decided that they would prioritize leadership development and laid the foundation to start the VWC Solidarity School and established the principle of: We believe that the most effective means of change is when people engage in collective action to place direct demands upon those who hold power.
Now entering its 10th year, priorities for 2008 and beyond include:
- Building off VWC Solidarity School 2007 to expand popular education and organizing training opportunities for VWC members.
- Creating a Healthcare Action Committee to fight to make quality health care publicly financed and a basic right for every Vermont resident
- Expanding an building the Burlington Livable City Campaign to include workers who work in more industries
- Exploring getting a building in Burlington to open up a real Workers Center!
- Starting a VWC Art Committee to make puppets and other creative props for actions and events
- Building the Student Labor Action Project statewide
- Continuing to mobilize solidarity for any group of workers who organize for more rights, building Vermont Labor Against The War, operating the Vermont Workers' Rights Hotline and supporting the Justice For Healthcare Workers Campaign.
Email james [at] workerscenter.org if you are interested in learning more about getting involved in the above areas and/or let us know other issues you would like to work on.
Community Meeting Held To Support FAHC Midwives
Dozens of parents, community members and kids joined Fletcher Allen Health Care (FAHC) midwives and the president of FAHC nurses union UPV/AFT Local 5221, Jennifer Henry, RN. They came to ask questions and plan how to stop FAHC's attempt attempt to eliminate the 24/7 birthing midwifery program and cut 4 midwive. Newspaper and television reporters covered the discussion, which was the result of a huge outpouring of community support that immediately followed reports of ending the midwifery program. In less that 24 hours alone, the Vermont Workers' Center received over a dozen emails from concerned community members about wanting to do something. The nurses union is in negotiations to keep the program and the midwives. Stay tuned for upcoming activities such as wearing buttons to support the midwives and a big turnout for the 2pm, October 9th FAHC Board of Trustees meeting in the McClure lobby conference room. Email james@workerscenter.org to sign up to a newly created listserve for Supporters of FAHC Midwives.
Burlington Community Demands Livable Wages
Dozens of Burlington workers and residents attended Burlington School Board meeting to demand livable wages. Broad community delegation reads Board their statement: BURLINGTON LIVABLE CITY DELEGATION STATEMENT: “THE TIME FOR LIVABLE WAGES FOR BURLINGTON SCHOOL SUPPORT STAFF IS NOW”
September 11, 2007
Good evening. We would like to thank all of you as elected School Board representatives of the residents of Burlington. We are here tonight, also as representatives of the residents of Burlington to deliver a statement to our School Board regarding the longstanding efforts to establish livable wages for all school support staff in our schools. Our delegation represents the major stakeholders in this community.
[Read by Martha Ahmed, RN from Fletcher Allen Health Care, UPV/AFT Local 5221]
We include school support staff, paraeducators, food service workers, service and maintenance workers, teachers, parents, taxpayers, Fletcher Allen Nurses, UVM students, City Councilors, State Representatives, and leaders of the faith community.
[Read by State Representative Joey Donovon]
We are here tonight to deliver a message you have heard before. You have heard it in many different ways. Hundreds of others have come before many previous School Board meetings over the last 3 years to say the same thing. We have been coming before some of you were even elected to this Board. Thousands of Burlington residents and school staff have signed petitions, wrote letters to you and to the newspaper, we have called you and sent you emails, we have worn buttons and rallied with signs. We know you know what our message is, but we are not sure you have really heard us. The time for livable wages for all school staff is now.
[Read by Donna Iverson, Burlington school paraeducator, BEA member]
On a June 25, 2007 you received a Report on Livable Wages in Burlington Schools: How to Address Poverty in Our Community & Reverse Gender Wage Inequity”. It was produced by the Vermont Livable Wage Campaign and Vermont Workers’ Center and supported by dozens of current and former elected officials, UVM faculty, parents, faith and other community leaders. Unfortunately, then July came and all of the school support staff contracts expired. Then July past, then August and there was still no contract and no livable wages for our school support staff. Now the next school year is underway, and still nothing. So we would like to ask you all to read the report again, but as a reminder we will read a couple of parts:
[Read by Angela Diguilio, UVM Student, SLAP and VT Workers’ Center member]
“Paying livable wages will help reduce poverty. Economic inequality erodes our communities and contributes to the race to the bottom for all workers. In order for Burlington to be a livable city for all residents, employers must pay wages sufficient to meet a person’s basic needs.
[Read by Tim Ashe, Burlington City Councilor]
“Some students have parents who are Burlington School District employees and are forced to work two or even three additional jobs to make ends meet. Parents working two or three jobs do not have adequate time to spend with their children in support of their education at home. Now is the time for the Burlington School Board to do its part in solving the underlying problem by paying livable wages to all school support staff.
[Read by Kaarin Goncz, Burlington high school teacher, BEA]
For Burlington to be a truly livable city, all residents must earn a livable wage. Paying livable wages to our school employees would actually stimulate the economy because low-income families typically spend most of their money on local goods and services, keeping the money in the community. More livable wage jobs mean a stronger local economy, healthier families, and more equitable education opportunities.”
[Read by Rev. Gary Kowalski, Unitarian Universalist Church of Burlington]
The report also points out that of all of the school and city employees now not earning a livable wage, the vast majority are women. Many of these school support staff positions have been historically undervalued jobs, and have historically been done by women. Every single food service worker is a women and every single one does not earn a livable wage. Everyone deserves livable wages and we must end this gender inequity.
[Read by Sandy McAuliffe, Burlington school food service worker, AFSCME Local 1343]
As we just passed Labor Day we are reminded that this struggle is not a new one. In 1912, 30,000 women and young girls working in Massachusetts textile sweatshops including many Vermont farm girls, went on strike. It was called a “Bread & Roses” Strike. They were fighting to increase their meager wages that left them in poverty. But they called it Bread & Roses, because they not only needed to eat, but they deserved to live with a basic level of dignity as human beings and to enjoy life. At this very moment there are school support staff that are working their second or their third job just to try to squeak by each month. In 95 years since this strike, we have come a long way, but employers are still paying poverty wages. Burlington school support staff workers deserve bread and sustenance, and they deserve roses and dignity, too. We ask you to take responsibility as representatives of this community by making livable wages not just a priority but a reality in Burlington Schools now. Thank you.
[Read by Karl LaBounty, Burlington school service & maintenance worker, President AFSCME Local 1343]
Sept 21st -Workplace Action to End the War
Let’s Engage Our Members to Bring Our Troops Home . . .
and Take Care of Them When They Return
70% of Americans are against the war in Iraq. Yet our political leaders have failed to end it. We must find new ways to force an end to U.S. military involvement in Iraq. It is up to US to provide the 70% Solution! That’s what this letter is about.
President Bush wants another $190 billion to continue the occupation and war. He now seems intent on attacking Iran as he sends more forces to Iraq. Doing so will not only kill numerous innocent Iranians, but will also expose our troops in Iraq to a horrific backlash by pro-Iranian Iraqis. Such a reckless attack will only further isolate the U.S. in the world.
It’s time to show the politicians that we’re not as apathetic as they apparently think. We elected them to get us out of this mess, not to drag it on. We don’t want more of their empty promises, phony compromises, contrived goals and meaningless benchmarks. We want this war ended now. We won’t accept anything else.
Since President Bush refuses to end it, we must tell Congress to exercise its authority to stop funding the war and instead to fund an immediate rapid withdrawal of all U.S. forces from Iraq. It is the only way to truly support our troops, and end this nightmare. Let’s use our resources to fully fund services to vets, provide universal health care, rebuild the Gulf, and meet numerous other human needs.
We need to draw more of our members who have yet to take action to actively oppose the war. Let’s press our demands for an immediate end to the bloodshed, shattered lives, wasted resources, abuses of power, and inadequate funding that has deprived the VA system the resources needed to provide world-class care our vets deserve.
Let’s ask our members to join the Nationwide Iraq Moratorium
The Iraq Moratorium is a simple, powerful organizing idea. On the 3rd Friday of the month, starting September 21st – and again on October 19th and November 16th – all those who oppose the occupation of Iraq are asked to take an action to call for bringing our troops home now from Iraq, and taking care of them when they return.
We want to encourage locals to explore what you can do with workplaces actions. We favor actions that can be built in an organized way. Here are some ideas:
· Wear stickers
· Distribute a handout on the cost of the war to Vermont
· Organize a call-in, write-in or petition signing to Congress during breaks
· Ask people to do Congressional district office visits
· Show “Meeting Face to Face,” a documentary about the U.S. tour of Iraqi labor leaders
· Vigil near the VA hospital with signs saying, “Fund Vets’ Services, Not the War.”
For stickers, flyers, or the video, contact Vermont Labor Against the War - a coalition of the Vermont AFL-CIO, Champlain Valley and Washington-Orange-Lamoille Labor Councils, and Vermont Workers Center – at: traven_L@earthlink.net or 55 E. Bear Swamp Rd., Middlesex, VT 05602; tel. 802-522-3484
Working together, we in organized labor can provide a big part of the “70% Solution.” We do it for our troops. We do it for our families. We do it for our country. We do it to defend our democracy. We do it for peace. If we don’t do it, who will?
Labor Day 2007
Remembering Our Past For Our Children's Sake
By James Haslam
Burlington Free Press My Turn, Labor Day, Sept 3rd, 2007
(A longer version which ran August 30th in Bennington Banner can be viewed by clicking here)
Labor Day has lost much of its original meaning. A day once set aside to pay tribute to the achievements of working people now has more to do with shopping at big box stores than with honoring the “Labor Movement: The Folks That Brought You The Weekend.” Realizing that existing Labor Day events had little to do with historic Labor Day, Vermont labor activists started the Burlington Labor Day Parade & Free Community Cookout to celebrate labor’s role as a force for progressive economic change and justice..
While ideals of democratic freedoms were celebrated in our Constitution, we should also recognize the realities of exploitation, racism, and extermination of the Native Americans. Slavery was written into the Constitution. Laws limited suffrage to men of property. The advancement of democracy and freedom has more to do with the struggles of working people than with the triumph over the British Crown.
We have been denied our history. In 1882, when the first Labor Day was celebrated in New York City, workers were fighting for the eight hour day because they believed people should have time to spend time with their families. Vermont farm girls who had gone to work in the textile sweatshops in Massachusetts were amongst 30,000 women and girls, many immigrants, who rebelled in the 1912 “Bread & Roses” strike. Workers’ action ended child labor. Free speech, the right to vote, the right to organize, and public education for all were won through struggle. While we have been pitted against each other by race, creed or immigrant status, our gains were made when we united for the benefit of all.
Barre granite workers’ history shows us we had to fight for safe, dignified work lives. Winning improved conditions in workplaces and in our communities didn’t come easy. In the face of deportations, physical and economic violence, we overcame temporary defeats through solidarity, including sit-down strikes, and mobilizing the community to win economic justice. This is our history, which we do a great disservice to ourselves to ignore.
Today, unions are on the decline due to corporate assault, and as a result the nation suffers from unconstrained corporate greed. The past gains achieved by workers banding together are being whittled away; the middle-class is being squeezed and we have the most economic inequality in our history.
But our movement is reorganizing to reestablish labor’s role as a force for justice. When Michael Moore’s film Sicko exposed the harmful impact of the insurance industry on healthcare, it sparked thousands of nurses across the country to join others to begin organizing for universal, single-payer healthcare. Verizon workers are fighting against the anti-worker and anti-customer sale of their company to Fairpoint to protect good jobs and lead a movement for universal fiber optic high-speed internet access. Workers, students, and community members in Burlington are organizing for livable wage policies in the Burlington Schools and the University of Vermont, which would help raise wages for low-income workers region-wide.
The multinational corporations, and the politicians in their service, are pushing a “free trade” agenda, resulting in incredible wealth for the few, and growing inequality, jobs losses and insecurity for millions. Their quest for political and economic domination has mired us in a disastrous war and occupation with human and economic costs that will plague us for generations. But the future is unwritten: worldwide, people are organizing for justice in their workplaces and communities - “Another World Is Possible”.
Join us in Burlington this Labor Day to honor labor’s achievements, but also to connect with other Vermonters interested in building a broad movement for social justice. Let’s transcend differences to build alliances across borders, to build a better world for our children.
James Haslam is the Director/Lead Organizer for the Vermont Workers' Center - Jobs With Justice. He can be reached at james@workerscenter.org
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