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Dear allies,

Register for the Salt of the Earth Awards and Fundraiser 2023, which will be held on Thursday, June 22 at 5:30 p.m. at 53 State Street on the 12th Floor Roof Deck in Boston. Each year, Community Labor United honors individuals and organizations who have demonstrated an ongoing commitment to improving the lives of working-class families in Greater Boston and throughout the Commonwealth.

This year, our outstanding awardees champion the voices of working people, advocate for systemic change, and drive progress in our communities. We hope that you will join us in recognizing the efforts of this year’s recipients and in celebrating their work.
Register for the event today! ([link removed])
2023 Salt of the Earth Award recipients:
President Steve Tolman, Massachusetts AFL-CIO
María Belén Power, Undersecretary of Environmental Justice and Equity
for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Boston Union Trade Sisters
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 ([link removed]-) posts as well as following and retweeting us on Twitter ([link removed]-) . You can sign up here ([link removed]) to receive regular updates from CLU.

In solidarity,
Community Labor United
Campaign Updates

Beacon Hill momentum on low-income fares for transit
On Tuesday, the Massachusetts Senate Ways and Means Committee included $5 million in initial funding for a low-income fare at the MBTA in their budget proposal. This marks unprecedented alignment on a low-income fare at Beacon Hill, with the Governor’s budget and the House budget also embracing the same funding amount. In all versions, a low-income fare would be funded by revenues from the Fair Share Amendment passed by voters in November. A reduced fare will boost low-income riders’ mobility ([link removed]) and save riders an average of $500 per year.

To ensure public transit is equitable and affordable for all, we are urging the MA Legislature to:
1. Maintain the budget momentum and keep the $5 million for a low-income fare in the Commonwealth’s FY24 budget.
2. Pass legislation to ensure a low-income fare is permanently available to riders. Join us by asking your legislators to cosponsor and support H.3373 An Act relative to low income transit fares and S.2231 An Act establishing a program for low income fares.

Take action to win a low-income fare with Public Transit Public Good ([link removed]) .

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News

Senator Edwards: Low-income T fares a fair deal for Mass. workers ([link removed])
Boston Herald – 5/1/23
Every day, hardworking Massachusetts residents face a difficult dilemma: pay for transportation to get to work or afford basic necessities. This is an unfair and unnecessary burden on those who contribute to the economic prosperity of the state. On this International Workers' Day, it’s time to take action and make public transportation affordable for our workers with a low-income fare at the MBTA.

Sign our petition: Give working parents more child care options!
Family, friend, and neighbor (FFN) providers offer trusted child care close to home, especially very early and late in the day, for thousands of families in Massachusetts. Sign our petition to support H.456 An Act to expand access to family, friend, and neighbor-provided childcare, to increase FFN provider pay to the state minimum wage, and make child care vouchers more flexible for parents who choose FFN care! Read our bill summary ([link removed]) to learn more about expanding access to family, friend, and neighbor-provided child care. Sign our petition today ([link removed]) !

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A path forward for UAW 2322 child care workers at Springfield Partners for Community Action!
UAW 2322 child care workers at Springfield Partners for Community Action’s Early Learning Center have just voted to end their strike after achieving a successful bargaining session with the SPCA Board of Directors and Executive Director Paul Bailey! UAW 2322 SPCA child care workers have long demanded increased wages, better working conditions, fair contract negotiations, and to be treated with dignity and respect. While they do not yet have a full tentative agreement, they’re hopeful that the outcome of the recent bargaining session puts them on a path toward a strong agreement that addresses their demands. Teachers and child care workers are excited to get back to work tomorrow to continue supporting the community.
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News

Teacher strike prompts closure of Springfield day care center ([link removed])
Western Mass News – 5/8/23
“We’re out here protesting for not only just more fair wages for everybody, but we’re also out here protesting for an increase in personal time…For appropriate wear for something that’s going to be comfortable for the teachers to go in because we work with small kids. The kids here are from infant to pre-K, so we have anywhere from four months to six years olds. We should be agile and able to come in and ready to get them,” said Jahara Gabriel

In Case You Missed It: #WeStillCan’tBreathe Rally 2023
On Word Asthma Day, the Green Justice Coalition, health experts, and climate justice and transit advocates gathered outside Dudley Cafe for our annual #WeStillCan’tBreathe rally. Communities of color and low-income communities most impacted by pollution and climate change continue to see an increase in asthma in Massachusetts. Advocates are pushing for justice-driven legislation to improve indoor and outdoor air quality, ensure a low-income fare is permanently available to riders, and to reduce pollution by improving rail service on the Fairmount commuter rail line. Legislators must act swiftly on these issues to protect the health of citizens and communities. There are many ways to take action to improve the health of Massachusetts’ environmental justice communities. Learn more by clicking the buttons below!
Tell your MA legislators: Support Clean Air for All! ([link removed])
Ask your legislators to co-sponsor the environmental justice bill for the Fairmount Corridor Commuter Rail! ([link removed])
Act now for equitable public transit! ([link removed])

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News

‘We still can’t breathe’: Advocates call for relief from air pollution ([link removed])
The Boston Globe – 5/4/23
For an hour Tuesday morning, members of the Green Justice Coalition, a partnership of environmental and economic justice organizers, urged state legislators to support three bills that would improve air quality and transportation services in Boston neighborhoods that are hard hit by transit pollution.

Climate Now: Powering Chinatown's energy resilience ([link removed])
WBUR – 4/17/23
As a part of the Green Justice Coalition, which works to develop energy resilience for low-income communities, the two organizations created a public benefit company called Chinatown Power. Its goal is to outfit eight affordable apartment buildings throughout the neighborhood with microgrids, which generate and store power that can be used during an outage.
We’re Hiring!

CLU and our partners are seeking experienced individuals to join our teams! If you know a labor or community organizer who is looking for a new role, please send them our way.

Organizing Director, Community Labor United
Care That Works Senior Organizer, Community Labor United

Visit our website today to view all job opportunities: MassCLU.org/Careers ([link removed]) .
Partner News
Please join CLU as we support our amazing partners at these upcoming events:
* Sunday, May 14: 2 ([link removed]) 7th Annual Mother's Day Walk for Peace ([link removed]) starts at Town Field Park, 1520 Dorchester Avenue in Dorchester at 8:00 a.m.
* Thursday, May 18: The City School's Celebrating Change 2023 ([link removed]) at the First Parish Church, 10 Parish Street in Boston 6:30 p.m.
* Tuesday, May 23: Clean Water Action's Massachusetts Annual Celebration ([link removed]) at the Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation, 154 Moody Street, Waltham at 6:00 p.m.
* Saturday, June 3: Celebration of Grassroots Organizing (10th Anniversary) ([link removed]) at the First Parish Church, 10 Parish Street in Boston at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.

International Workers’ Day luncheon, march and rally
To kick off an exciting day of action on International Workers’ Day, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, President of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement Yanira Merino, grassroots organizations, and labor and community leaders joined the Greater Boston Labor Council for a pre-march luncheon to build worker power together. After the luncheon, attendees and hundreds of workers from almost every industry united in solidarity with one another to fight for a living wage, democracy, and equity for all our communities! Learn more about the International Workers’ Day march and rally at Chelsea Record ([link removed]) .

From invisibility to solidarity: An AAPI experience
Jessica Tang, president of the Boston Teachers Union, an AFT vice president and co-chair of the AFT Asian American and Pacific Islander Task Force grew up wanting more AAPI representation. In the article ‘From invisibility to solidarity: An AAPI experience,’ Jessica reflects on her experiences growing up as an Asian American and provides a critical perspective on the ongoing struggle for visibility and equity for AAPIs.

“We have a long way to go, but the history is there and we do exist. Our stories just need to be told, and we as educators have the duty and responsibility to do just that.” – Jessica Tang

Read the full article at AFT Voices ([link removed]) .

Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) 5K Run & Walk fundraiser
Join the Chinese Progressive Association on Saturday, May 20 to celebrate Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month with an AAPI 5K run and walk at Carson Beach in South Boston! The run will highlight the vibrant Asian American community and organizations that work year-round to create a safe and welcoming space. The event will fundraise for incredible AAPI non-profits helping to kick off the first day of AAPI month. Proceeds from the run will benefit local AAPI non-profits. Learn more and RSVP by May 5 for early registration ([link removed]) !

GreenRoots: 8th Annual Evening on the Creek
Join GreenRoots at their largest fundraiser of the year, the 8th Annual Evening on the Creek. The fundraiser event is happening at 99 Marginal Street Chelsea, next to PORT Park from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, June 9 and will feature live music by Clave and Blues, food from local restaurants, and lots of dancing! The fundraiser is providing the resources to help GreenRoots implement a shared vision of environmental justice, community power, and improved quality of life and health. This year, funds raised will help to secure 17 acres of vitally important waterfront land at the Forbes Site; launch Chelsea’s first Teaching Kitchen and expand GreenRoot’s urban agriculture and food justice work; and create new waterfront parks all while empowering the community and fostering new leadership. Learn more, become a sponsor, and purchase a ticket today ([link removed]) !

Boston Teachers Union: 2023 Legislative Conference
This week, elected officials, community leaders, and active allies joined the Boston Teachers Union (BTU) for a legislative conference to discuss BTU’s legislative priorities, including the Thrive Act, Retirement Plus, Cost-of-Living-Adjustment (COLA), and more! Attendees learned about the bills that can make a real difference in our communities and schools and strategized around how to get them passed!

Solidarity with Massachusetts’ homecare workers
The fastest growing sector of the healthcare industry is home healthcare. In Massachusetts, 58K Personal Care Assistants (PSAs) are in the middle of bargaining with Governor Healey’s administration to invest in the future of care and are demanding training and advancement opportunities. Homecare allows individuals to receive personalized care in the comfort of their own home, reducing the cost and burden on families and healthcare systems. Let's prioritize paid homecare training and advancement opportunities as necessary components to improving our healthcare! Learn more at 1199 SEIU ([link removed]) .

Immigrant Worker Know Your Rights Webinar
The City of Boston, lawyers, government officials, and local worker centers, including MassCOSH, Chinese Progressive Association, Matahari Women Workers’ Center, and The Brazilian Workers Center Inc. hosted the ‘Immigrant Worker Know Your Rights Webinar.’ The webinar helped to raise awareness about immigrant workers’ rights, explained how to exercise them, and shared valuable resources available to these workers. Learn more and watch the full webinar here ([link removed]) !
2023 Legislative Priorities

As the MA legislative session continues, we're committed to supporting legislation to advance transit justice, equitable child care, family-sustaining work, environmental justice, a just transition to clean energy, and more.

Learn about the bills Community Labor United supports on our website and join our fights: MassCLU.org/Join-Our-Fights/ ([link removed]) .

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