IBEW Local 2322 will be holding their 2nd Annual Cornhole Tournament on Sunday, September 22nd in Taunton.  This event is open to all.  For more information or to register please see the flyer below.

 

30 years ago, on August 6, 1989, more than 60,000 union workers in New England and New York went on strike against Nynex, beginning a 17-week battle against corporate greed.  The extremely profitable company was looking for cuts to healthcare benefits, and the two unions, IBEW & CWA, refused to back down to company demands. Over the next four months, workers manned picket lines, held rallies, and built community and political support, with chants of “Hold the line in “89!”

The unions were successful, but it was a hard-fought battle. During the strike many people made sacrifices, but two members, Buzzy Farren from IBEW 2222 in Boston and Gerry Horgan from CWA 1103 in NY sacrificed their lives. Both were killed during the strike, and IBEW & CWA began to wear red, symbolizing the blood that was shed in our struggle.

This responsibility of wearing red on Thursdays should not be taken lightly. It is our way of showing our solidarity, and it is our way to show that we do not and will not forget our brothers. They laid down their lives for us – the least we can do is remember them by wearing red on Thursdays.

The solidarity forged during ’89 continues today and was instrumental in us attaining a four-year contract extension through August 5, 2023.

So let’s not forget our brothers and sisters who came before us, and give thanks for their sacrifices, especially the sacrifices of Buzzy & Gerry.

Congratulations to The Martha’s Vineyard Bus Divers, members of ATU, who ratified their first contract the Vineyard Transit Authority and its subcontractor TCI.

The contract comes after a five year battle by the Union, culminating in a 28-day strike that began on June 28th and ended last Thursday with the announcement of a tentative agreement.  Members overwhelmingly ratified the contract on Sunday.

The contract provides for increased wages, provides for seniority, holiday pay, and prohibits subcontracting out work performed by union members that could result in layoffs.

Thank you to the IBEW 2222 members who attended the rally last week, sent emails and made phone calls in support of our striking brothers and sisters!

The Labor Guild School of Labor-Management Relations Fall Term begins September 9th

Since 1953, The Labor Guild School of Labor-Management Relations has been providing labor education and training to members of the labor movement with relevant, top-notch, and practitioner-led programs. Courses range in content, providing knowledge and skills for building just, ethical workplaces in Massachusetts and beyond. Instructors are experts in a wide range of fields, coming from the ranks of labor lawyers, union officers, arbitrators, and more.

All courses will be held at the Labor Guild (in the Archdiocese Pastoral Center), 66 Brooks Drive in Braintree, on Monday evenings 6:30-9:00 PM.  The Fall Term runs from September 9th – November 4th, and the cost is $125 for one or two courses.  IBEW Local 2222 will reimburse our members upon successful completion.

Please CLICK HERE for a list of courses and to register.

IBEW 2222 Member Kevin McLaughlin, an SST at the Braintree garage, is raising funds for a service trip to Kenya

Violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread human rights abuses, affecting one in three women and girls worldwide.

In Mwakirunge, Mombasa, there are high levels of child pregnancy, child marriage and FGM; all factors that prevent girls from finishing their education and living the lives they want.

Acts of violence are rarely reported because of the high costs associated with seeking justice. And, as the perpetrator is often known to the survivor, women and girls can lack the confidence to speak out, fearing reprisals or a backlash from their community.

In October 2019, working with UK ActionAid and the local community, Kevin, along with his wife Linda, and son John will spend 10 days in Mombasa, Kenya helping to build a support center, which will provide education and services to enable women and girls who have been abused to speak out, seek justice and enjoy their right to education in a safe and supportive environment.

If you’d like to support Kevin and his family in fighting violence against women and girls through support and education, please donate whatever you can to help build this support center.

Secure online donations can be made HERE.

After you donate, please email olivia.dandeker@actionaid.org
and provide Reference #3072562 to ensure Kevin’s team is credited with your donation.

Kevin and his family are grateful for your support!