Politics

The Challenge of Precarious Labor in Higher Ed

Fri, 12/23/2016 - 2:00pm
The landscape of America's working world continues to shift, with the number of unstable — and, often, part-time — jobs, low pay and exploitative conditions increasing at a rapid rate. At a daylong Washington, D.C., conference earlier this month, union leaders, policy experts and academics examined the contingent labor force and how to ensure fair working conditions for all. Much of the discussion centered on the issues impacting higher education adjunct faculty and graduate student employees; two groups participating in a "day of action" next month here in Connecticut.
 

Urging the President-Elect to "Stop the Hate"

Wed, 11/23/2016 - 4:30pm
Labor, civil rights and faith leaders are calling on President-elect Donald Trump to unequivocally denounce hate-fueled acts of harassment, vandalism and even assault taking place since his election. More than 100 groups, representing more than 10 million Americans, have signed on to a November 18 letter from our national union and the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC).
 

Standing Up to the Swindle of Public Services

Fri, 10/14/2016 - 5:30pm
The now-infamous scheme by pharmaceutical firm Mylan to squeeze profits from patients through predatory price hikes on its life-saving EpiPens is widely known. Less well known is the company's tax avoidance scam two years earlier, part of a growing trend among corporations to exploit loopholes and enable politicians to push harmful austerity policies.
 

The True Meaning of the So-Called "Pathway to Sustainability"

Thu, 09/22/2016 - 6:00pm
Connecticut House Republicans last week released a "Five Point Plan for a Pathway to Sustainability" during a press conference launching their 2016 legislative election campaign. Its wonky, vaguely-worded language avoids the true impact of their proposals — so leaders of our state employee unions coalition took the liberty of uncovering and exposing the plan's truths. 
 
Click here for an annotated version of the House GOP plan.
 

Labor Day 2016: Why America Needs a Strong Movement for Working People

Mon, 09/05/2016 - 12:30pm
Our national union president in her annual Labor Day message reminds us how a strong labor movement has helped workers, our communities, the economy and our democracy grow and thrive. Randi Weingarten additionally uses the occasion to call on all our members to join her in taking action to support policies that make it easier, not harder, to join a union:
 

Spotlight: Retirees Demonstrate "Senior" Activism

Sat, 08/20/2016 - 10:30am
Retired members of AFT Connecticut-affiliated unions do not fit easily into popular, preconceived notions of life after employment; particularly those who remain engaged in the labor movement. Tomorrow is National Senior Citizens Day, and we're taking time to spotlight a few who not only defy stereotypes, but who exemplify "seniority" in both knowledge and experience.
 

Labor History Lesson: The Grape Boycott

Tue, 07/12/2016 - 3:30pm
Through building strong partnerships with the community and practicing non-violent civil disobedience, Cesar Chávez organized immigrant agricultural workers to win hard-fought dignity and respect from their employers. In a recent recent column for his local union's newsletter, AFT Connecticut Secretary-Treasurer Ed Leavy takes us back to 1970 for the lessons of the Delano grape boycott:
 

A New Years' Message to Our Members

Thu, 01/14/2016 - 4:30pm
As we enter 2016, I find myself looking for positives in the labor movement and it's easy to become discouraged. I hear politicians and big corporations blaming the poor, people of color and immigrants for the disappearance of the middle class and worsening income inequality. The real issues we face are obscured by political sideshow.
 

Educators, Caregivers, and Public Employees Back Hartford Working Families' Candidates

Thu, 10/29/2015 - 3:30pm
Rocky Hill - Citing their collective commitment to working families' issues, members of the nearly 30,000-strong AFT Connecticut are supporting Joshua Blanchfield, Wildaliz Bermudez and Dr. Larry Deutsch, MD, MPH to serve on Hartford's Court of Common Council. The labor federation's executive committee voted to add the Connecticut Working Families Party (WFP) candidates to its slate of endorsements for the November 3 municipal General Election. Earlier this month active and retired members of its affiliated local unions were informed and encouraged to vote for all three.
 

Teachers, Nurses, and Public Service Professionals Back Tina Manus for Stratford Town Council

Mon, 10/26/2015 - 11:30am
Rocky Hill - Citing her commitment to working families' issues, members of the nearly 30,000-strong AFT Connecticut are supporting Tina Manus to serve as the District 10 representative on Stratford's town council. The labor federation's executive committee voted to add Manus to its slate of endorsed municipal candidates for the November 3 General Election, and earlier this month informed active and retired members of its affiliated local unions.
 
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