May Day Actions

[Dan Higgins]

---------- Original Message ----------
From: Massachusetts AFL-CIO <e-al...@massaflcio.org>
To: de...@comcast.net
Date: April 19, 2017 at 2:12 PM
Subject: Weekly Labor Reader - April 19, 2017

“The only effective answer to organized greed is organized labor” - Thomas R Donahue, Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO1979 - 1995, President in 1995, and President Emeritus since 1996 Register today for the annual Gompers-Murray-Meany Educational conference in Falmouth May 24-26. We have never seen a US presidency in its first 100 days so disorganized and overwhelmed by controversy. At the same time, the threats to the labor movement – and democracy – have never been so great. This year at Gompers presenters will explore the big issues that are causing shock waves, and also look at what is happening behind the scenes to worker rights, immigration, tax policy and more. How should labor navigate this new landscape? How do we stay united and win? Featuring Right to Work: How to get ready, survive and come out stronger. Register Today! Contact Your State Representative Today, Tell Them To Support These 2 Critical Amendments GIC Out of Pocket Expenses are Out of Control Earlier this year, the Group Insurance Commission approved changes to co-pays and deductibles for GIC health plans that, as of July 1st, will shift nearly $150 million in out-of-pocket costs to employees. We need to send a clear message that the unfair practice of burden shifting onto workers is not equivalent to problem solving. This amendment would prevent those who need the most care from going broke trying to pay for it, by capping yearly out-of-pocket expenses at $2,500 for individuals and $5,000 for families. Request your State Rep. to co-sponsor and speak out in support of “Limiting GIC Out-of-Pocket Expenses” filed by Representative Paul Mark Increase Worker Voice on the Group Insurance Commission A major reason why health costs have been disproportionately shifted onto public sector workers has been the lack of adequate voice for active and retired employees on the Group Insurance Commission, where important decisions impacting the cost and quality of healthcare are made. Amendment #745 filed by Representative Cullinane, would create a more equal balance on the Commission by adding an additional seat for a worker representative. Ask your State Rep. to support this amendment today. Send Your Email Today! And share this crucial action with your friends on Facebook and Twitter below. Call For an End to Wage Theft in Massachusetts Hear from workers who have been impacted by wage theft, and join them in calling for the passage of legislation (H.1033/S.999) to stop this practice and ensure that every worker is paid what they are rightfully owed. Join Attorney General Maura Healey, and lead sponsors Senator Sal DiDomenico and Representative Aaron Michlewitz to learn more about their legislative proposal, An Act to Prevent Wage Theft and Promote Employer Accountability. When: Monday, Apr 24, 2017, 12:00pm - 1:00pm Where: Massachusetts State House, 24 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02133 State House Room 222 Progress As Resistance Conference - Hosted by Raise Up Massachusetts Ready to join the progressive Resistance against the Trump agenda? Join our community partner, Raise Up Massachusetts at Progress as Resistance, a statewide organizing conference to move forward a progressive agenda in Massachusetts! This conference will feature a briefing on how activists can engage in campaigns other allied progressive issues organized by Raise Up Massachusetts and against the Trump agenda, including campaigns for: - A $15 Minimum Wage - Paid Family and Medical Leave - The Fair Share Amendment - Labor Rights - Ending mass incarceration - Jobs not jails - Protecting public education - Immigrant rights - Safe communities. Interested? For more information or to register today follow this link: bit.ly/raiseup2017 Celebrate May Day - International Worker's Day of Action - Near You The working families of Massachusetts will host actions on May Day in partnership with community, labor and faith leaders to commemorate progress in workers’ rights through collective action and call for policies that lift up all workers. Find and Take Action near you: Main Rally: Chelsea - Chelsea City Hall, 5:30 PM Boston: - Rally at State House Steps Supporting the Safe Communities Act, 12:00 PM - Rally at The Boston Commons Band Stand, 5:00 PM East Boston: - Gather at Lopresti Park & March to Chelsea City Hall, 4:00 PM Everett: - Gather at Everett City Hall & March to Chelsea City Hall, 4:00PM For more information, connect with the May Day coalition on Facebook @m1coalition Now - May 01: Apply for the Annual Research Summer School at Cornell - Applications Open Now - May 1st April 20: Boston Voices of Community and Labor Thursday Rehearsals April 20: Massachusetts Jobs with Justice Annual Dinner - Quincy April 24: Call For an End to Wage Theft in Massachusetts April 24: Norfolk County CLC Legislative Award Breakfast April 28: Worker's Memorial Day Springfield April 28: Worker’s Memorial Day at The State House April 29: Mass Alliance Spring Training on Grassroots Campaigns - Register Now April 30: Boston Voices of Community and Labor Sunday Rehearsals May 01: May Day! International Worker's Day of Action - Find an Action Near You May 05: Voices of Working People’s History hosted by Western Mass Jobs With Justice May 06: Progress As Resistance Conference - Hosted by Raise Up Massachusetts May 06: Mass. Alliance FINAL Spring Training on Grassroots Campaigns - Register Now! May 13: National Association of Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive May 17: Labor Guild Workshops: Parliamentary Procedures Presented by Patti Legault-Frank May 24: Labor Guild 2nd Workshop: Bylaws Review Presented by Patti Legault-Frank May 24 - 26: Mass. AFL-CIO Gompers Educational Conference 2017 - Registration Deadline May 11 June 23 - 25: Women’s Institute for Leadership Development (WILD) 31st Annual Summer Institute: Resist – Strength, Strategy and Solidarity @WorkingAmerica: Here's who's winning the $15 minimum wage wars now via @NelpNews #RaiseTheWage @RichardTrumka: Excellent read by @jamieson - The Human Cost Of Trump’s Rollback On Regulations Connect with us online for more stories every day... Like us on Facebook » Follow us on Twitter » Visit our website at www.massaflcio.org Sent via ActionNetwork.org. To update your email address or to stop receiving emails from Massachusetts AFL-CIO, please click here.