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<p class=MsoPlainText><span style='color:black'>Wednesday March 4</span><b><i>
CANCELED</i></b> – <b><i>WILL BE RESCHEDULED</i></b> <span
style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText style='text-indent:.5in'><b><span style='color:black'>“CONTINUOUS
BARGAINING”</span></b><b><span style='font-family:Raavi'> A Union
Response to Workplace Change <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText style='text-indent:.5in'><span style='color:black'>Info:
Dale Melcher, 545-6166, <a href="mailto:dmelcher@lrrc.umass.edu">dmelcher@lrrc.umass.edu</a>.
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-family:Consolas'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText>Wednesday March 4<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText style='text-indent:.5in'><b>RALLY AGAINST GOVERNOR’S
CUTS TO SENIOR HEALTH CARE<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText style='text-indent:.5in'>11am, State House, Boston. Info:
Mass Senior Action Council, 455-3829 or 543-2334.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText>Wednesday March 4<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText style='text-indent:.5in'><b>MASSACHUSETTS LABOR DEPT:
LABOR STANDARDS FORUM, OFFICE HOURS, & TOURS<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText style='text-indent:.5in'>The Executive Office of Labor
and Workforce Development (EOLWD) is sending labor officials from the various
agencies under the Department of Labor to hold open office hours in
Springfield, tour area businesses and institutions, and hold a “Labor
Standards Forum” in the evening at Holyoke Community College. Director of
the Department of Labor George Noel will be accompanied by Department of
Industrial Accidents Commissioner Paul Buckley, Division of Occupational Safety
Commissioner Laura Marlin, Division of Apprentice Training Director David
Wallace, and Division of Labor Relations Director Michael Byrnes. Info: Alex
Goldstein, 617-626-7108, <a href="mailto:Alex.Goldstein@state.ma.us">Alex.Goldstein@state.ma.us</a>.
Schedule (subject to revision): <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText>
9–10am, State Office Building Lobby, 436 Dwight St, Springfield. Director
of Labor Noel kicks off the day and introduces his team of commissioners and
officials, as well as introduces key initiatives and the day’s events. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText style='text-indent:.5in'>10am–3pm: <b>Information
Fair and Office Hours</b>. Department of Labor staff at tables in lobby to
distribute information, answer constituent questions, and discuss agency
initiatives. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText style='text-indent:.5in'>Noon–4:30pm: Officials
tour Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts; registered apprentice programs
(1:30-3pm: <b>IBEW Local 7</b>, 185 Industrial Ave, Springfield; 3:15-4:30pm: <b>Sheet
Metal Workers Local 63</b>, 32 Stevens St, Springfield); Simmons Bedding Co.,
Agawam; ATC Associates Inc.; and Hampshire County House of Correction. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText style='text-indent:.5in'>6–8pm: EOLWD’s <b>Labor
Standards Public Forum</b>, Holyoke Community College, 303 Homestead Ave,
Holyoke. Director Noel and Department of Labor Commissioners hold a public
forum to discuss agency roles, responsibilities, and goals. They will also take
questions and comments from attendees.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText>Wednesday March 4<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText style='text-indent:.5in'><b>JOINT TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
PUBLIC HEARING ON GOVERNOR’S TRANSPORTATION & ECONOMIC SECURITY BILL<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText style='text-indent:.5in'>4pm, Scibelli Hall, Springfield
Technical Community College, 1 Armory Square, Springfield. Governor Patrick
will attend. To learn more about the legislation, please visit <a
href="http://www.mass.gov/youmovemassachusetts/">www.mass.gov/youmovemassachusetts/</a>.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText>Wednesday March 4<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText style='text-indent:.5in'><b>AVI GREEN ON VOTING REFORM<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText style='text-indent:.5in'>7pm, Agawam Library, 750 Cooper
St, Agawam. The public is invited to hear Avi Green, Executive Director of
MassVOTE, <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText>address issues such as Early Voting, Mail-in Voting,
Internet Voting, Week-end Voting, Same Day Registration, and Compulsory Voting,
at the Agawam Democratic Town Committee meeting. Founded in 1999, Boston-based
MassVOTE is a non-partisan voting rights organization that works with
community-based non-profit organizations to increase voter education and
turnout across Massachusetts. MassVOTE works to eliminate barriers and
encourage voting especially among communities of color, language minorities,
low income communities, youth, new American citizens, and the disabled. Green
is an experienced organizer, campaign manager, and policy analyst. Info:
Corinne M. Wingard, <a href="mailto:corinnemarie@comcast.net">corinnemarie@comcast.net</a>.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>Thursday
March 5<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'><b><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";
color:black'>2009 WMJwJ MAY DAY ORGANIZING COMMITTEE</span></b><span
style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";
color:black'>7-9pm, Massachusetts Nurses Association Conference Room, second
floor, room 234 &/or 236, Potpourri Plaza, <a
href="http://maps.google.com/maps?oi=map&q=243+King+St,+Northampton,+MA%3e">243
King St, Northampton</a>,, opposite Stop & Shop. Western Massachusetts Jobs
with Justice traditionally celebrates International Workers Day. The event is
also a fundraiser for WMJwJ. There are suggested donation ticket prices, but no
one is turned away for lack of funds. Lately we’ve produced “Voices
of Working People's History” – readings, music, and slides that
tell the origins of International Workers Day in the US in the 1880s and carry
its themes up to the present.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'> However,
this year we will build the event around a visit by Stewart Acuff. Stu is
Special Assistant to the President of the AFL-CIO, National Jobs with Justice
Board Member, former AFL-CIO Organizing Director, former Service Employees
International Union (Texas, Georgia) and Central Labor Council (Atlanta)
officer, and a former community organizer in Missouri, Texas, Tennessee, and
New Hampshire for organizations affiliated with ACORN and Citizen Action. He is
a stirring speaker (<a
href="http://www.youtube.com/results?search_type=&search_query=Stewart+Acuff&aq=f">you
can watch many of his speeches at YouTube</a>) and will focus us on an economic
recovery that puts Main Street before Wall Street, passes the Employee Free
Choice Act and restores workers’ right to organize, ensures health care
for all, creates good green jobs, and holds bailed out corporations accountable
to the people.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'> The
program will still include lots of music. But this year the idea is to have the
singers who participate choose their songs on those issues (and sell their
CDs). Would you like to be in the program? Can you recommend someone? Would you
work on a committee (Organizing [primarily the Chairs of the other, work
committees]; Program; Publicity; Bake Sale; Day-of Volunteers)? Info: 827-0301,
<a href="mailto:wmjwj@wmjwj.org">wmjwj@wmjwj.org</a>. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>Thursday
March 5</span> (<span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>First
Thursday)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'><b><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";
color:black'>MASS CITIZENS AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY HAMPDEN COUNTY CHAPTER<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText style='text-indent:.5in'><span style='color:black'>7-8:30pm,
Unitarian Society, 245 Porter Lake Drive, Springfield </span>(736-2324). <span
style='color:black'>Reports on "Training for the Long Run" NCADP 2009
Annual Conference; Elms College program last November; plans for Sacco Vanzetti
2009 </span>– annual commemoration of the August 23, 1927 execution of <b>Nicola
Sacco & Bartolomeo Vanzetti </b>at Bishop Marshall Center, St Michael's
Cathedral, Elliott St off State St, Springfield, on August 23 at 5-7:30pm<span
style='color:black'>. May not have a meeting in April. </span>Info: 567-3451,<span
style='color:black'> <a href="mailto:cajowl66@aol.com">cajowl66@aol.com</a>. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><span style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText>Friday March 6<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText style='text-indent:.5in'><b>MARCH TO PROTECT OUR HOMES
& FAMILIES!<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText style='text-indent:.5in'>Hartford CT: 4pm, Assemble near
Memorial Arch, Ford & Trinity Sts; March to Webster Bank, Connecticut Bank &
Trust, and Bank of America to announce working people’s demands; Rally
outside the Bank of America. BAIL OUT THE PEOPLE NOT THE BANKS:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText>For an immediate moratorium on all foreclosures and
evictions.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText>For an end to the system that protects bankers and corporations
while working people suffer. Info: People's Bailout Connecticut, <a
href="mailto:peoplesbailoutct@yahoo.com">peoplesbailoutct@yahoo.com</a>, <a
href="http://www.peoplesbailoutct.wordpress.com">www.peoplesbailoutct.wordpress.com</a>.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText>Saturday March 7<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText style='text-indent:.5in'><b>WESTERN MASS SINGLE PAYER
NETWORK WINTER MEETING<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText style='text-indent:.5in'>9:30-11:30am, Lathrop Village
Community Room, 1 Shallow Brook Drive, off Bridge Rd, Northampton. A
nonpartisan, nonprofit coalition of advocates committed to achieving a
universal single payer health care system. Organizational Goals: to
increase visibility of universal single payer health care across western
Massachusetts; to strengthen the universal single payer movement through
increasing numbers of people familiar with and committed to a single payer
health care system; and to work in concert with eastern Massachusetts single
payer groups, as well as other groups throughout the country who share the
single payer mission. Info: <a href="mailto:wmspn@wmjwj.org">wmspn@wmjwj.org</a>.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText>Saturday March 7 (First & Third Saturday of each
month)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText style='text-indent:.5in'><b>KNOW YOUR RIGHTS AT WORK!<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText style='text-indent:.5in'>Noon-4pm, ADP Workers
Center/Casa Obrera, 130 Union St, Springfield. Registration required.
Comprehensive know your rights training. Also serves as orientations that are
mandatory for people who want to join the Workers Center. The ADP Worker Center
has a number of programs and benefits for members, including a food co-op, ESOL
classes, democracy school, leadership training, and a legal clinic. <b>Info</b>,
to register: William Cano, 739-7233, <a href="mailto:william@a-dp.org">william@a-dp.org</a>.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText>Monday March 9<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText style='text-indent:.5in'><b>TELL NORTHERN BERKSHIRE
HEALTHCARE TO PUT PATIENTS & RESIDENTS FIRST!<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText style='text-indent:.5in'>4pm, Freeman Park - at the
intersection of Hospital Ave & Eagle Street, across from North Adams
Hospital, North Adams. North Berkshire Healthcare (NBH) owns North Adams
Regional Hospital, which is unionized, and Sweet Brook Nursing Home, where
workers are organizing with Service Employees Local 1199. At Sweet Brook, NBH
has decided to launch a financially costly campaign involving attorneys and
consultants to fight the caregivers’ union drive. Meanwhile, to help the
Hospital through tough times, caregivers there made a generous proposal to
management to temporarily reduce benefits. Instead, hospital management rejected
the proposal, and is slashing services and staff. Join us as we stand together
in telling NBH to put patients and residents first! Info: (617) 284-1135, <a
href="mailto:chris.spiegel@1199.org">chris.spiegel@1199.org</a>. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><b>Thursday March 12<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><b>
WORKERS’ RIGHTS BOARD HEARING: YWCA WORKERS TESTIFY!<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><b>
3-5pm, City Hall Room 220, 36 Court St, Springfield. Watch for separate
announcement! Info: 827-0301 x1, <a href="mailto:wmjwj@wmjwj.org">wmjwj@wmjwj.org</a>.<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText>Friday March 13 (Second Friday)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText style='text-indent:.5in'><a name=STREET><b>STREET HEAT </b></a><b>-
THE AFL-CIO MOBILIZATION COMMITTEE<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText style='text-indent:.5in'>9:30-11am, AFL-CIO Hall, 640
Page Blvd, near corner of Osborne Ter, across the street from the old
Westinghouse, Springfield. This meeting will <b>focus on the campaign to win the
passage of the Employee Free Choice Act</b>, including meetings with
Congressmen and Sen. Kerry. Also on the agenda: the YWCA; Postal job loss; Bank
of America; Your Organizing! <b>Community and labor activists are urged to
attend.</b> Info; send agenda items to: Jon Weissman, 732-7970, <a
href="mailto:street_heat@pvaflcio.org">street_heat@pvaflcio.org</a>.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText>Saturday March 14<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText style='text-indent:.5in'><b>WILD IN THE WINTER WEST<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText style='text-indent:.5in'>8:30am-1:30pm, Gordon Hall, <span
style='color:black'>418 N Pleasant St, Amherst.</span> Info: Emily Hardt,
617-426-0520, <a href="mailto:emily@wildlabor.org">emily@wildlabor.org</a>. The
<a href="http://www.wildlabor.org/">Women’s Institute for Leadership
Development</a> and the <a href="http://www.umass.edu/lrrc/laborextension/">UMass
Amherst Labor Extension Program</a> invites women activists to an exciting
workshop on understanding the causes and impact of the economic crisis. Plus:
WILD Women Live! – interviews with inspiring women who lead their unions
and community organizations. Followed by lunch and conversation with other
labor movement women. $20 Registration fee; childcare reimbursement available.
For more information & to register (<b>deadline March 12</b>): 545-6166, <a
href="mailto:dmelcher@lrrc.umass.edu">dmelcher@lrrc.umass.edu</a>. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText>Saturday March 14 (Second Saturday)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText>
<b>SPRINGFIELD HEALTH DISPARITIES PROJECT<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText>
9:30am, Tapestry Health, 365 Bay St, Springfield. Addressing existing
disparities in health care and outcomes, and the underlying racism, poverty,
and homelessness. Info: Betty Agin, 627-4028, <a
href="mailto:betagi7@verizon.net">betagi7@verizon.net</a>. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:Consolas'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>TO UNSUBSCRIBE, send an email to
wmjwj@wmjwj.org with a Subject of "Unsub Workers' Rights".<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>[Workers' Rights] posts opportunities for you
to learn about and show solidarity with workplace and working class struggles.
And these events are opportunities for JwJ members to fulfill their pledge: <a
href="http://www.jwj.org/pledge.html"><span style='text-decoration:none'>"</span>I'll
be there for workers' rights at least five times a year!<span style='text-decoration:
none'>"</span></a> This is the core mission of Jobs with Justice (<a
href="http://www.jwj.org/">www.jwj.org</a>), affirming that workers' rights are
human rights. To subscribe, send an email to wmjwj@wmjwj.org with a Subject of
"Subscribe Workers' Rights".<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Western
Mass Jobs with Justice<br>
640 Page Blvd #101<br>
Springfield MA 01104<br>
(413) 827-0301 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:Consolas'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-family:Consolas'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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