Justice for suburban janitors

On July 19th, 2006, cleaning contractor American Housekeeping fired four hardworking janitors who had been campaigning to improve their working conditions in buildings in Burlington owned by the Gutierrez Company. Gutierrez has chosen to use irresponsible contractors to clean most of their buildings, even though they fail to meet area standards, pay poverty wages, and now face employee charges for breaking the law. Show your support by visiting campaignSuburbanJanitors> and sending a message to Gutierrez management.

Minimum wage increases

The minimum wage in Massachusetts will be raised to $8 an hour over the next two years. AFL-CIO President Robert Haynes commented, “Low-wage workers have gone over five years without a raise, and while it will still be difficult to support a family on this new minimum wage, it will certainly be easier than it has been… .”

Attendants, consumers win Workforce Council

The Massachusetts House and Senate voted unanimously on July 24 to override a veto by Governor Romney in order to form a Personal Care Attendant (PCA) Quality Workforce Council. This make it easier for consumers to find a caregiver they can depend on through a workforce directory that helps match available attendants with consumers.

The bill also gives PCA workers the right to form a union, while keeping consumer direction of the PCA program intact. 1199-SEIU (Service Employees International Union) was a leading force in the campaign to win the legislation. “This unanimous vote from both parties in the Legislature makes it clear that helping people with disabilities and seniors live at home is a top priority for the Common-wealth,” said Liz Casey of Roslindale, a leader of the Quality Home Care campaign, who has recently struggled to find quality home care.

Reps back arbitration for Springfield's teachers

Eighty-five state representatives have signed a letter to House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi, urging him “to support binding arbitration as a fair mechanism” to resolve the bargaining dispute between the Springfield Education Association and the Finance Control Board. “Because these negotiations have continued for over four years, it is clear that this situation cries out for a neutral third party to arbitrate the dispute, so that the education community can turn its full attention to the students.”

Safe staffing buried by Senate

A bill to mandate safe staffing levels in state hospitals was killed in the State Senate's Ethics and Rules Committee. The bill had been passed by the House in May on a 133 to 20 vote. “We are extremely disappointed because we know we had the veto-proof vote but the Senate leadership did not allow it,” said Massachusetts Nursing Association President Beth Piknick. “Patients continue to get hurt and continue to die while everybody is playing politics.” The bill will be refiled in the next legislative session.

Happy Birthday, Kendall Union!

One year after workers at the Kendall Square Cinema voted 17-1 to join UFCW Local 791, management continues to stall negotiations for a new contract. But the union's web site reports that “with 65 percent of the staff involved in the vote still working at the Kendall, new employees taking part in the process, and negotiations continuing at a regular pace, we’re still going strong.”

UE local in Taunton fights health deductibles

United Electric Workers (UE) reports that Esterline Corporation of Seattle, owner of Haskon Aerospace in Taunton, is trying to force UE Local 204 members to pay for up-front deductibles, increased co-pays, and premiums. Huge up-front deductibles would mean Haskon workers with regular medical care needs will take a $1250 pay cut in the third year of the proposed contract. The Local is fighting back: no one has worked overtime for three weeks. The union’s negotiating report sessions sometimes last an hour for each of the three shifts. There are union signs posted throughout the shop. The entire first and second shifts have gone to the front offices and let management know they will not accept any deductibles or out-of-pocket costs.

Labor weighs in on immigration

In an open letter to legislators posted on the Jobs with Justice web site, union leaders and officials spoke out against proposals to involve the state Attorney General's office in enforcement of federal immigration laws. The statement reads in part: “We strongly believe that requiring any role for the Massachusetts Attorney General in enforcement of federal immigration law will lead to increased exploitation of workers by unscrupulous employers and will severely undermine enforcement of the Commonwealth’s wage and hour laws.”

Teamsters win at MacLellan Concrete

Teamsters Local 49 staged a successful four-week strike for safer working conditions, better pay and increase in health care benefits at MacLellan Concrete in Lowell. Supporters set up a “virtual picket line” by sending faxes and making phone calls to the owner urging him to respect workers' rights and help end the strike.

Boston Library workers go union

By a vote of 83 to 4, the 140-member Professional Staff Association at the Boston Public Library decided on June 7 to affiliate with the Communications Workers of America, after a year-long selection process that originally involved four other unions.

for links to the latest labor news from around the state, visit Jobs with Justice at www.massjwj.net