Dear allies, 

We’re excited to celebrate Juneteenth! There are a number of engaging events, that have been organized in Boston this weekend, and we encourage you to participate! Tomorrow, June 18 at noon, there will be a Juneteenth cookout celebration hosted by Boston's Coalition of Black Trade Unionists. The cookout will take place at Franklin Park, at the intersection of Blue Hill Ave and Glenway Street; RSVP at this link.

As we celebrate, we must help ourselves and others to understand the importance of this independence day in our nation's Black history. Let us take the time to learn, and reflect on the past to solve the unjust challenges Black communities are faced with today.

Below you will find opportunities to engage and continue the fight on many issues that affect our communities and allies. Please spread the word by sharing our Facebook posts as well as following and retweeting us on Twitter. You can sign up here to receive regular updates from CLU.

In solidarity,
Community Labor United

CLU and our partners are seeking experienced individuals to join our teams! If you know anyone who would be a good fit, please send them our way. 
 

NEW – Worker Center Organizer, MassCOSH
NEW – Youth Programs Director, MassCOSH

Join us for the 2022 Salt of the Earth Awards
We are just weeks away from our annual Salt of the Earth Awards, where we will be honoring several leaders who have been catalysts for positive change in our communities. We hope that you will join us to recognize these individuals and organizations leading the way to shape an equitable future for all. 

This year, we will be honoring:

• The Honorable Martin J. Walsh
• Adrian Madaro, State Representative, 1st Suffolk
• Building Pathways
• The City School

Thank you Lindsay McCluskey for your dedication to Community Labor United
Community Labor United is heavy hearted to announce that our Care That Works Senior Strategist, Lindsay McCluskey is transitioning out of her role from the organization. We’ve had an incredible six years working alongside Lindsay, and it has been an honor to do the critical work of forming alliances, bridging gaps, and building power together. Lindsay’s work with Community Labor United has had a profound impact on the communities we serve, on the future of child care, and the trajectory in our collective movement work. We know that Lindsay will continue to make major contributions to our movement and we cannot wait to partner with her in her next chapter. 

Lindsay, thank you for being a tireless professional, a helpful co-worker, and above all, a good friend. You deserve nothing but the best!

Sarah Jimenez, Senior Researcher, will continue to work with the Care That Works coalition and will be the primary contact for our Care That Works campaign during this transition. You can reach her at [email protected].

PTPG coalition issues statement on the MBTA Board’s FY2023 budget
In response to the recently approved FY2023 budget that neglects to include a reduced fare for low-income riders, Public Transit Public Good Coalition shared this statement: 

“MBTA riders are looking to Beacon Hill to pass low-income fare legislation after the Authority failed to include the popular affordability measure in its FY23 budget. A low-income fare would put $500 a year back into the pockets of those who need it most: riders. 

In the face of MBTA inaction, our legislators must act. Governor Baker vetoed a low-income fare provision in last year’s Transportation Bond Bill. Since then, the popularity of the measure has grown, with support from 79% of voters statewide, Boston Mayor Wu, and a broad range of labor, community, advocacy and business groups. This year, our Senators and Representatives must listen to voters and advance this important measure before the end of the session.”  

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Take action in demanding low-income transit fares across Massachusetts
Join Public Transit Public Good and Rep. Adrian Madaro for a petition delivery on June 30 at 10 a.m. to demand that the Massachusetts Legislature make our public transit systems equitable and accessible.

How can you join the fight for safe, affordable, equitable, and accessible public transit systems in Massachusetts? Sign our petition calling for:

1. Reduced-fare programs for low-income riders on all modes.
2. New progressive revenue measures to ensure public transit is paid for by those who have plenty, not by those who are struggling to get by. 

Low-Income Fare Petition Delivery
Thursday, June 30 | 10:00 a.m.
More details to follow

Follow @PTPGCoalition on Twitter to stay updated with the latest information.

Victory for drivers, riders, and taxpayers
Massachusetts drivers, riders, and taxpayers scored a victory after the Supreme Judicial Court ruled Big Tech’s ballot proposal to misclassify app-based drivers as independent contractors, unconstitutional. 

In response to the ruling, Massachusetts is not for sale coalition issued the following statement:

“Millions of Massachusetts drivers, passengers, and taxpayers can rest easier knowing that this unconstitutional bid by Big Tech CEOs to manipulate Massachusetts law has been struck down by the Supreme Judicial Court. The ballot question was written not only as an attempt to reduce the rights of drivers but also would have put the rights of passengers and the public at risk. The ballot question would have allowed these companies to avoid their most basic responsibilities to provide safe and reliable transportation service. We are excited to continue the work of our coalition to ensure that drivers, riders, and taxpayers are protected from the greed of Big Tech CEOs. We will remain vigilant and united against any further attempts by Big Tech to waterdown worker and consumer protections in Massachusetts or beyond. We are grateful for the court’s thoughtful and thorough analysis and agree with its findings,”  – Wes McEnany, Campaign Director, Massachusetts is not for sale.”

Read the full statement at Massachusetts is not for sale. Learn more about the Supreme Judicial court’s ruling against BigTech’s ballot proposal.

Juneteenth event: Housing is a Human Right 
Join The Boston Teachers Union and organizers at the American Federation of Teachers and the DAP on Juneteenth at Town Field for their Housing is a Human Right event. It will be a time to celebrate the end of slavery, to reflect on our history, and to take action on the deeply embedded housing crisis that low-income communities and communities of color bear today.
 

Juneteenth Event: Housing is a Human Right
Sunday, June 19 | 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Town Field, Dorchester

Learn more about this event at the Boston Teachers Union.

Reminder: GreenRoots 7th Annual Evening on the Chelsea Creek
Don’t forget to join GreenRoots for their 7th Annual Evening on the Chelsea Creek Fundraiser, featuring live music by Clave and Blues, food from local restaurants, and lots of dancing. GreenRoots is calling on allies to support their current transition to move out of their waterfront office space. GreenRoots is committed to continuing to fight against displacement in Chelsea and East Boston, and as they move to their temporary space, they’ll need your help to secure a permanent home for the community on the Chelsea Creek waterfront. Over the next several months the organization is looking to raise $500,000 for a new office space, but will need your full fledged support.

We encourage you to attend their evening on the Creek. Visit the website to learn more about how you can donate.
 

7th Annual Evening on the Creek
Friday, June 17 | 6 - 9 p.m.
227 Marginal St, Ste 1, Chelsea MA, 02150
Purchase tickets today