From Republic Windows & Doors, to the Future of the Labor Movement

On Wednesday, October 21, Melvin “Ricky” Maclin, a member of UE Local 1110, and Abraham Mwaura, field organizer with UE, addressed a full room of students and community members in the UMass Campus Center. Abraham started off the event by explaining UE’s new Warehouse Workers for Justice campaign in the Chicago area. He detailed the importance of warehouses in the global supply chain and the potential power workers have in the industry. Abraham posed questions like, “How many of you have a cell phone?” and “How do you think your cell phone got to you?” to force people to think about not only the workers who create products, but those that ship, load, distribute and sell the products as well. He explained that when workers in all of these stages of the supply chain organize, they can have a huge amount of power and sense of solidarity with each other.

After a series of questions, a film was show about the 2008 Republic Windows & Doors occupation by members of Local 1110. The film detailed the worker-led occupation and eventual victory in Chicago. Ricky then shared his thoughts about the occupation and the importance of fighting back. He made the crowd laugh numerous times with his fun personality; but, overall he left us with a sense of hope that tough struggles can be won through determination and taking risks. It was clear that Ricky was proud of his union and its militant ideals. When asked why he thought the Republic struggle was a success, Ricky mentioned that “drastic times called for drastic measures”.

Thank you, Ricky and Abraham, for your presence and inspiration.

Labor Center Reunion (October 9-11)

Autumn in Amherst provided the backdrop for a reunion of the Labor Center’s class of 2001, planned by classmates Pilar Schiavo and Amy Hall. Students who were in classes at the same time, ranging from the class of 2000 to the class of 2003, were invited. Pilar and Amy planned a couple of get-togethers, and provided lots of information about local events for the in-between times.

On Saturday evening, the Labor Center hosted a talk by Mark Brenner, director of Labor Notes, followed by a reception. In attendance were alums Pilar Schiavo ’01; Carolyn Marquez Meadows ’01; Amy Hall ’01; Michael Burns ’01 and his partner Carlin; Sean Barrett ’02; Heidi Zwicker ’02; Analiz Figueroa ’03 and her partner Tuck Young; Keiko Nomura ’03; Michelle McCord ’01; Kristy Tanguay Gomez ’01; and Doug Kandt ’02. Also in attendance were Stephanie Luce, acting director of the Labor Center; Beth Berry, assistant to the director; Harris Freeman, former Labor Center faculty and currently a member of the Commonwealth Employee Relations Board; current Labor Center students Sameerah Ahmad, Carey Collins, and Sarah Hughes; and prospective student Seth York.

As could be expected based on the varied backgrounds of the audience, a lively discussion followed Mark’s talk on the Current Economic Crisis and the Labor Movement’s Opportunity. After years of organizing for SEIU, Carolyn Marquez Meadows is a Community Outreach liaison with the Boston Public Schools. Pilar Schiavo, who has worked as Political Director for the San Francisco Central Labor Council, Oregon’s Labor Now in 2004 campaign, and the Organizing Institute, is currently working with the California Nurses Association. Michael Burns, who did organizing in New York City, then spent five years in England getting his Ph.D. in Film. Michael is now working on his third documentary, this one looking at post-traumatic stress disorder.

Heidi Zwicker, after years as the Executive Director of the Colorado Jobs with Justice, is now a stay at home mom, doing German-English translations. Sean Barrett, after years as the Public Policy and Research Coordinator for the Mountain West Council of Carpenters in Denver, spent a year as a stay at home dad and is now working with Workers United on a campaign in Philadelphia. Kristy Tanguay Gomez began in the Public Policy Department at the AFL-CIO and moved into the Political Department, and now takes care of her son full time. Doug Kandt studied Spanish in Central America, worked at the AFL-CIO’s Solidarity Center in Ecuador, and then AFSCME. He then went back to school for a Master’s degree in International Development from American University and then did labor monitoring for a government agency. Michelle McCord works in the Political Department of SEIU’s State Employees Association in New Hampshire. Analiz Figueroa does community organizing with Service Workers United in the Bronx, where she and Tuck live behind Yankee Stadium. Amy Hall is the Western Regional Director of SEIU’s Committee on Interns and Residents.

Michael Burns said, “It was fantastic to see everyone again, and to be reminded about what the Labor Center stands for. It’s a place where activists, organizers, and researchers can talk about the most critical issues facing the economy and the workers that make it run. Nothing could be more important than that.”

Labor Strikes Back

When: Wednesday, October 21, 7 PM

Where: UMass Amherst Campus Center Room 803

Come see a short film about the Republic Windows and Doors struggle/victory & meet Melvin Maclin, a worker and sit-downer from the factory occupation in Chicago who will be speaking about the importance of militant and worker-led struggle in the labor movement. Abraham Mwaura, a field organizer with the United Electrical Workers (UE) will also be participating. A discussion will follow about where to go from here, as well as information about exciting new organizing efforts in Chicago involving warehouse workers.

This event is sponsored by the Umass-Amherst Labor Center, Economics Department, and Center for Latin American, Caribbean and Latino Studies.

Contact shahmad@lrrc.umass.edu with any questions.

Radicals at Work

Several Labor Center alumni have helped put together a new website for labor activists — “Radicals at Work”. The site launched in the summer of 2009 as a place for young activists to share stories and news, contribute articles, and have conversation and debate about issues related to work and the labor movement.

We come from many jobs and communities – we are young rank and file workers, office workers, union and non-profit staff, activists working with workers centers, students, and teachers. We have a shared commitment to grassroots democracy and a workers movement that takes on racism, sexism, homophobia and isn’t afraid to go head-to-head with the boss.

Recent feature articles include an interview with a tattoo artist, update on immigration policy, how-to tips on creating an effective flyer, and the impact of the recession on young workers.

Check out the site.

Welcome back!

We’re getting ready to start the Fall 2009 semester at the Labor Center. We have a great new group of students: Sameerah Ahmad, Mary Likins, Lauren Arsenault, Sarah Hughes, Heather LaPenn, Elvis Méndez, Andy Santos, and David Wemhoener. Tom Juravich will return to teaching after a semester off from teaching. Eve Weinbaum is still on medical leave, but recovering well and spending the semester in Argentina with her family where her husband Max Page is on a Fulbright fellowship.

This summer we hosted another session of our limited-residency program, which took place for 10 days in July. We had almost 40 students, from a wide range of unions and organizations including AFSCME, IBEW, SEIU, IAM, Teamsters, Carpenters, UNITE HERE, as well as Sweatfree Communities and the Labor Party. Twelve students were here for their last semester, as they will now work on their final papers and then graduate! This has been a tough year for the labor movement, and we’re proud that folks from all different places can come together at UMass for engaging and respectful debate, intellectual exchange, and fun.

We’ve been working all summer to update our alumni directory, and we’re pleased that it’s now ready to distribute. We’ve also heard from some alums from the class of 2001 who want to come back for a reunion, so this October 9-11 we’ll be hosting the Labor Center classes of 2000 to 2003 for a dinner, activities, and a keynote talk by Mark Brenner on “Labor and the Economic Crisis.” If you’d like to join us please send me an e-mail. Our limited-residency students are also looking to start regular alumni events, and are planning the first one for next summer, July 2010. Stay tuned for more information!

The other big event on the calendar is the Future of Work conference, scheduled for November 20 at Gordon Hall. The Labor Center received a grant from the state legislature to study the future of work in the state. We commissioned seven studies relating to different aspects of immigration and work in Massachusetts. The scholars will present their work on November 20, and we’ll have time to discuss the implications for organizing and activism around immigrant rights.

Finally, I end with some sad news. Many of you may already know that Sara Muzzey is no longer on the Labor Center staff. Unfortunately, due to the economic climate and a tighter budget, we were not able to renew Sara’s contract this summer. We will miss her!

Stephanie Luce
Acting Director

Alumnus Appointed to Kentucky Workforce Investment Board

Benny Adair, a Labor Center graduate and Business Representative for IAM District 154, was recently selected by Gov. Steve Beshear to serve on the new Kentucky Workforce Investment Board. The KWIB will advise the Gov. on workforce issues such as training and education, retooling, and infrastructure needs. These efforts will prepare workers for 21st century jobs and help attract businesses to the state. Adair is excited about his new position and believes he is prepared to meet the challenge:

“The experience and education I acquired at UMass has opened so many doors and opportunities. My union job has given me the ability to live the American dream; my education assures that I have the knowledge and capabilities to be successful with whatever life brings my way.”

Harris Freeman Appointed to CERB

Harris Freeman, Visiting Assistant Professor, was recently appointed to the Commonwealth Employee Relations Board (CERB) by Governor Deval Patrick. The CERB was created in 2007 as part of Gov. Patrick’s restructuring of Massachusetts’ labor relations agencies. The 3-member Board will function as an appellate body to resolve labor disputes involving public sector employees.

“I’m very excited to be appointed and have the opportunity to help advance collective bargaining rights in Massachusetts.”

Gov. Patrick’s plan should refocus public agencies that have failed to provide adequate service to residents of the Commonwealth. According to Suzanne Bump, Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development, “Years of neglect, under-funding, and duplication of staff functions has led to unnecessary case backlogs and skyrocketing costs for cities and towns in the form of providing back pay from grievances filed years ago…”

“The current director of the Division of Labor Relations, Mike Byrne, and the rest of the Division of Labor Relations has put a premium on radically reducing the backlog of cases while making sure that all currently filed cases are heard in a timely manner. I am looking forward to joining in that effort. I will, however, really miss teaching at the Labor Center. I am sure, though, that I will  find a way to stay in touch with former students, alumns and my colleagues at UMass.”

Due to statutory requirements barring other public employment, Freeman will be leaving his position at the Labor Center, which he has occupied for more than 10 years. He will remain on faculty at the Western New England College School of Law.

Employee Free Choice Act Panel Discussion

On Tuesday, April 14, students from the Labor Center and the Anthropology Department put on a panel discussion of the Employee Free Choice Act in the UMass Campus Center.  The event, entitled, “The Employee Free Choice Act: Crisis and New Opportunities for Labor Organizing, a Discussion of neoliberalism, economic crisis, and the labor movement,” brought a crowd of  students, faculty, local labor leaders and union staff, and interested members of the community to hear panelist’s accounts of the proposed changes to federal labor law.

The Audience

The panel consisted of Stephanie Luce, acting director of the UMass Labor Center and officer with the Massachusetts Society of Professors; Harris Freeman, professor at the UMass Labor Center and Western New England College School of Law, and associate editor of Working USA; Jon Weissman, coordinator of Western Massachusetts Jobs with Justice, Secretary-Treasurer of the Pioneer Valley Central Labor Council, and President Emeritus of the National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 46; and Rose Goldstein-Bookbinder, a student at the UMass Labor Center and organizer for the United Auto Workers with Region 9A.  The event was moderated by Ryan McGovern Quinn, a student at the UMass Labor Center and vice-president of the United Auto Workers Local 2322.

Professor Luce and Rose Goldstein-Bookbinder

Professor Luce began the night by discussing how globalization and deregulation has affected the labor movement and degraded working conditions. She pointed out how rebuilding organized labor would improve living standards for workers.

Professor Freeman

Professor Freeman discussed how the words “democracy”, “freedom”, and “choice” have been hijacked by the opposition to the Employee Free Choice Act. He went on to explain how our commonsense understandings of these terms are subverted by current labor law, and how the Employee Free Choice Act will actually bring our labor law into line with our concepts of freedom and democracy.

Rose Goldstein Bookbinder read testimony from a card dealer who organized at the Foxwoods Casino with the United Auto Workers and described the ongoing struggles of those workers to achieve a first contract.

Jon Weissman discussed the current status of the bill in the House and Senate and invited the crowd to join the fight to pass the bill.  His account of the legal and political maneuvers neccesary to pass the bill in the Senate prompted several questions to clarify Senate procedures for cloture during a filibuster.

The Panel: Jon Weissman, Harris Freeman, Stephanie Luce, Rose Goldstein-Bookbinder, and Ryan McGovern Quinn

During the Q&A session, a number of alternative takes on the Employee Free Choice Act were aired, prompting a  lively informal discussion of the bill’s merits and what labor unions may have to do to prepare what comes after its passage that continued well past the close of the event.

Labor Center Organizes Panel Discussion on the Employee Free Choice Act

Graduate students from the Labor Center, working in conjuntion with Anthropology graduate students and UAW Local 2322, organized the upcoming panel discussion, “The Employee Free Choice Act: Crisis and New Opportunities for Labor Organizing”.  The panel has been billed as “a discussion of neoliberalism, economic crisis, and the labor movement”.  Professors Stephanie Luce and Harris Freeman of the Labor Center will join Jon Weissman of Western Massachusetts Jobs with Justice to discuss the Employee Free Choice Act.

The panel will take place on Tuesday, April 14 from 6-8 pm in UMass Campus Center room 162-175.

For information on the Employee Free Choice Act, visit American Rights at Work.  For ideas on how to help, see Jobs with Justice.