Politics

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.
 

I Am My Union

Fri, 09/04/2015 - 5:10pm
In her annual Labor Day message, AFT President Randi Weingarten asks us all to consider the attacks unions face today and what they mean for all American working families. And she calls 1.5 million teachers, paraprofessionals and schools personnel, higher education faculty and staff, public employees, nurses and healthcare professionals to stand up and declare "I Am My Union:"
 

New Leadership to Carry On "Solution Driven Unionism"

Wed, 07/01/2015 - 12:00pm
Rocky Hill - New officers chosen to serve AFT Connecticut through 2017 have taken office and recommitted the statewide labor organization's ongoing community engagement, worker organizing, collective bargaining and political activism efforts. Delegates representing affiliated local unions in May elected the federation's president, executive vice president, first vice president, secretary/treasurer and 22 vice presidents for two-year terms effective today.
 

Nurses and Health Professionals Back Mayor Finizio's Leadership for New London

Thu, 02/12/2015 - 1:00pm
New London - Citing his collective commitment to working families' issues, members of the 29,000-strong AFT Connecticut are supporting Daryl Justin Finizio's re-election as mayor of the city of New London. The labor federation's local unions representing Lawrence + Memorial (L+M) Hospital's nurses, technicians and healthcare workers and William W. Backus Hospital's registered nurses are also formally backing Mayor Finizio.
 
Syndicate content