Dear friends,

Vaccinations, school reopenings, and climate justice — these three issues are critical for a just recovery for our communities. As we reopen our schools and our economy, it is imperative for us to keep the long-term recovery of our communities at the forefront of our efforts. 

In Texas, we are seeing the devastating consequences of deregulation and a failure to invest in basic infrastructure or to hold corporations accountable. We stand in solidarity with those in Texas who have been fighting for reforms over many years in an effort to stave off this kind of disaster. It underscores the need to continually ensure that the public good is being put at the forefront of policy decisions or the consequences can be dire. There are many opportunities to support the people in Texas struggling with this crisis including those listed within this article.

Community Labor United is proud to have joined the newly-formed Mass Renews Alliance (MARA) to promote an agenda that includes the recently filed Building Justice with Jobs Act and Food Justice with Jobs Act. MARA, part of the Renew New England Alliance, is a coalition of more than 40 Massachusetts organizations that represent environmental justice, youth, labor, racial justice, and housing groups. This is the first time such a broad coalition has written legislation for Massachusetts, and the first time disability rights activists have been included in the drafting of environmental legislation.

Affordable housing is a key rung on the ladder to economic opportunity. Every family deserves access to a safe, clean, and healthy home, and healthy food. The investments advocated for by the coalition will help renew hope, improve neighborhoods, and strengthen local economies throughout Massachusetts. We are proud to be a part of this alliance. Watch the livestream from the launch here. 

Please help us spread the word by sharing our Facebook posts and following and retweeting us on Twitter. You can also receive regular updates from CLU by signing up on our website.

Public Transit is a Public Good
Even amidst the mounting opposition to the MBTA cuts, the Baker/Polito administration and their Fiscal Management and Control Board slashed service. As these cuts take shape in the upcoming weeks, it is no secret that the cuts will harm communities of color and low-income communities that have continued to rely on public transit during this pandemic. 

The Baker/Polito administration dealt further blows to public transit and our communities by vetoing the low-income fare system, which would have provided MBTA access to those who need it the most. In a recent op-ed penned by Katie Murphy and Karen Chen of the Public Transit Public Good coalition, they have highlighted the need for a federal stimulus fund to be used to reverse the cuts and prevent any further cuts. 

Our coalition continues to urge Gov. Baker and Lt. Gov Polito to make the MBTA accessible, affordable and safe for all riders. Check out our website for a soon-to-be-launched call-in action to save the MBTA. 

Thank you for reading and taking action!

In Solidarity,
Community Labor United