We are pleased to report that staff at CLASS, Inc., who directly care for individuals with disabilities, reached a settlement late Friday evening with CLASS management and avoided a strike. Their victory is the result of strong organizing and community support. The workers at CLASS are represented by SEIU 509.Facing a strike that was set to begin today (Monday) management at CLASS, Inc. returned to the table late Friday for a negotiation session overseen by a federal mediator and convened by Massachusetts Senator Barbara L'Italien. The resulting settlement is subject to a ratification vote next week by affected CLASS, Inc. workers, who returned to work today.Friday's settlement marks an inflection point in a years-long campaign by CLASS workers, organized through SEIU Local 509, to address the crisis in caregiving created by low wages at the agency. The one-year tentative agreement is a critical step towards reducing staff turnover and improving the standard of care for individuals with disabilities in the Merrimack Valley.The tentative agreement will result in a $.75/hour raise for direct care staff over the course of the one year contract, a significant raise for workers at CLASS, Inc. who are among the lowest paid at peer agencies across the Commonwealth."At the end of the day, we won a better contract," continued Thomas Baca, a driver at CLASS. "But the fight continues to make sure the individuals we care for can access the care they deserve."
CLASS Workers on Strike!
Join the Picket Line
Monday, July 10-Friday, July 14 | Pickets 8 a.m.-4 p.m. daily | 1 Parker Street, Lawrence, MA 01843
Community Rally for Good Jobs & Quality Care
When: Monday, June 10 | 12 noonWhere: 1 Parker Street, Lawrence, MA 01843Click here to view Facebook event.
About the Campaign
SEIU Local 509 members at Citizens' League for Adults With Special Services, Inc. (CLASS) in Lawrence are bargaining for fair pay and respect at their workplace. CLASS serves 400 individuals with disabilities and their families throughout northeastern Massachusetts.
Instead of putting workers first and the communities these members serve, CLASS management has continued to pour money into temporary staffing agencies, and brought unacceptable pay proposals to the bargaining table. Low wages for workers have caused high rates of staff turnover, which negatively impacts the individuals served by CLASS.At a bargaining session on Wednesday, workers brought up putting the individuals who they serve first and made it clear they were ready to continue bargaining. The CLASS management walked out. Workers at CLASS should be treated fairly for the important work they do helping people live with dignity.
15th Annual Labor Seder
Check out photos from the 15th Labor Seder on Flickr!What makes it possible for people to move out of slavery and into liberation? What are the ingredients that go into a successful movement against economic injustice? What moves people to action and what gives people hope?In the Passover story there were many people working together to strategize the coming out of Egypt and walking to liberation. There were Puah and Shifra, the midwives who refused to kill the Jewish newborn sons, there was Miriam who put her brother Moses in a basket so that he wouldn’t be killed. It was Bitya the daughter of Pharoah who lifted him from the basket and took him home, it was Jethro of Midian who took Moses in when he was fleeing those who wanted to kill him, it was Moses himself who answered God’s call to liberate the Jewish slaves. And then it was the hundreds of thousands of Jewish slaves who bonded together and had the courage to leave Egypt and walk into the sea and then into the desert, not knowing what the future would bring. There were many people from different backgrounds that played a role in the story of liberation.Our 15th Annual Labor Seder was our most successful Labor Seder. More than 300 people attended—up by approximately 20 attendees the previous year. We raised almost they same amount of money as last year. Many people said that this was the best, most spirited Labor Seder ever.This year we held our Labor Seder at IBEW 103. As in past years, elected officials, union presidents, Jewish community leaders, religious leaders, workers and students attended. Barbara led the Seder beautifully and we shortened the program at the request of several attendees. Almost everybody took home their Labor Seder Haggadah. We honored Mayor of Boston, Martin J. Walsh. He spoke movingly about the struggles of working people. We recognized these three campaigns: “Fight for $15”, Faculty Forward, and the Doubletree Workers Campaign. As it happened, the DoubleTree workers had just received a neutrality agreement from management, paving the way for a vote for UNITEHERE Local 26 to be there union representative.Year after year the Labor Seder continues to be a unique and powerful event. Perhaps it is the compelling Passover story—one of liberation from oppression—which so closely parallels the current struggles of workers and affects people on a deep level. Perhaps it is the connection attendees build with people from different communities that makes this evening so magical. Perhaps it is also the joy of celebrating a diverse community’s shared commitment to economic and worker justice. It takes all of these pieces for the Labor Seder to be the successful and moving event that attendees come to expect year after year.
New England Jewish Labor Committee 15th Annual Labor Seder
Join the Greater Boston Jewish and Labor communities to celebrate our shared traditions and strengthen our work together.
To register for the 15th Annual Labor Seder click here
View our event on Facebook
Tuesday, March 24th, 20155.00-8.30 p.m.(5-6.00 schmooze time)
IBEW Local 103 256 Freeport Street Boston, MA 02122
Dinner will be served
The Jewish tradition obligates us to relive the Exodus and liberation story of Passover in every generation. The Labor Seder is a unique interfaith opportunity through which labor and Jewish community leaders and activists continue to build bridges. We hope that you will join us at the table to learn more about current worker struggles right here in Greater Boston, find ways to get involved in meaningful campaigns for social justice, and rejoice with us in the ancient and joyful holiday of Passover.
Honoring:Boston MayorMARTY WALSH
Recognizing:The Workers of Harvard-owned DoubleTree HotelUnite Here Local 26 Campaign
The Fast Food Workers'Fight for $15' Campaign
The Adjunct FacultySEIU 509 Campaign
Gold Co-Sponsor: UNITE HERE Local 26
Co-sponsors: Moishe/Kavod House, Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action, Boston JCRC, and Boston Workmen’s Circle
Suggested Ticket Donation: $54 ($18 for low-income). All are welcome regardless of donation.
To RSVP, register on this website or email Marya Axner, Regional Director at NewEnglandJLC@jewishlabor.org or call (617) 227-0888
To buy an ad email Marya Axner, Regional Director at New EnglandJLC@jewishlabor.org or call (617) 227-0888
Deadline for ads: March 9th, 2015
Send checks to: Jewish Labor Committee, 18 Tremont Street #320, Boston, MA 02108 or pay through this website.
Event is Kosher, wheelchair accessible.