Our Initiatives
Within Community Labor United’s network, there is an understanding that our movement must have a longer term view of our struggle. The Right Wing’s neoliberal agenda has made steady gains for decades in a way that has forced many of us to be on the defensive. We also understand that we do not have enough power to make the changes we really want to see for workers, for our communities, and for the environment. For this reason, we have embarked on a process to work collectively with our partner organizations to develop a long term agenda. We envision building an agenda that is both aspirational and concrete, has both policy and corporate campaigns that build on each other over time, will increase our power on the ground, is proactive and sets the terms of debate, and is grounded in our values and our vision for a just world. Our 10 Year Agenda development is being led by a Steering Committee comprised of leaders from our partner organizations. This group has planned a series of Regional Gatherings that will take place during the spring and early summer of 2017, through which local grassroots leaders will discuss and contribute to the development of our agenda. The process will culminate in the fall of 2017 with a Member Congress to review, refine, ratify & celebrate our 10 Year Agenda.
We all know that having strong communities and a strong economy requires investments in jobs, education, and quality public services. However, between 1977 and 2009, Massachusetts has cut more taxes than any other state in the country. That means we have $3 billion less each year than we had in the late 1990’s to fund transportation and public services. Chronic funding gaps have unacceptable, dangerous, and often tragic consequences, hurting local families and businesses. Government privatization schemes and the false promises made by their think tank backers are quickly becoming a distraction from the real conversations we need to be having about investments in our state – including by making sure millionaires and large corporations pay their fair share.
Resources
Reports: PRIVATIZING MASSACHUSETTS – Political Research Associates Learn more at: EyeOnPrivatization.org
Global warming is forcing us to go green, but the “green economy” needs to include everyone. The Green Justice Coalition (GJC) brings energy efficiency upgrades and jobs to Boston’s low-income communities and communities of color. In December 2008, the coalition launched a campaign to bring home energy efficiency upgrades and jobs to Boston’s low-income communities and communities of color. Since then we have won subsidies and outreach programs that make home weatherization affordable and accessible; increase wages and job standards for weatherization workers; and other reforms that add up to $21 for every dollar invested in our home weatherization programs.
Alternatives for Community and Environment Boston Climate Action Network Boston Student Advisory Council/ Youth on Board Chinese Progressive Association Clean Water Action Coalition for Social Justice GreenRoots Mass Energy Neighbor to Neighbor Massachusetts
Resources
Licensed child care in Massachusetts is among the most expensive in the country, posing an enormous challenge to working women and their families. When women do not have access to quality, affordable child care that meets their needs, it stresses their daily schedules, constrains employment opportunities, and limits education opportunities. Working non-standard hours or irregular, unpredictable schedules also has major implications for childcare options and costs. Programs that are intended to provide child care assistance to low income parents are so underfunded that most eligible parents do not receive aid. This consistent underfunding also hurts childcare providers and depresses the childcare industry. CLU is bringing together child care providers and families to fight for a child care system that is affordable and accessible to any parent that needs it, and that allows child care providers to earn family-sustaining wages and benefits.
Resources
We have developed a network of licensed family child care providers (members of SEIU Local 509) in Boston who will open as early as 5 a.m. to accommodate families who work in industries with nonstandard schedules (such as construction and hospitality) and those who want to gain access to careers in those industries. The pilot program uses an online platform, Carina Care, to connect families with providers looking for high-quality child care in their area. If you are looking for child care in the early morning, please fill out this form, and we will follow up to let you know how to connect with a provider.
Public Transit Public Good is a partnership of transit workers and riders throughout Massachusetts fighting for the future of public transit. PTPG is convened by Community Labor United. Visit http://publictransitpublicgood.org/ to learn more.
Resources Publictransitpublicgood.org
Reports: THE PATH TO BETTER PUBLIC TRANSIT
Massachusetts COVID-19 Response Alliance is a platform, convened by Community Labor United, for immediate relief and a vision for a just and healthy recovery in Massachusetts. It focuses on people-centered response to COVID-19. Visit https://macovidresponse.com/ to learn more.
Resources MAcovidresponse.com
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