UNITE HERE at Yale A Big Part of Primary Victories in New Haven September 17, 2011
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Fed up with a political leadership unresponsive to the needs of working people, thousands of New Haven Democrats voted on September 13th for aldermanic candidates supported by a broad coalition of organizations, including UNITE HERE at Yale. Fourteen of fifteen of these candidates won their primary elections—some by overwhelming margins—in a stunning citywide call for change. With very few of them facing challengers in the general election in November, they are poised to take office in January.
Among those who ran were six leaders of our unions—Brian Wingate, Tyisha Walker, and Frank Douglass from Local 35, and Brenda Jones-Barnes, Adam Marchand, and Sarah Saiano from Local 34 (Sarah lost her primary). Dozens of members of our unions canvassed during the weeks before the primaries and turned out supporters to the polls on September 13th. It was the largest mobilization of union activists in local electoral politics in recent memory, both locally and nationwide.
Adam Marchand, who won a narrow victory in Ward 25 in the Westville neighborhood, attributed his success to the hard work of his team of volunteers, made up of colleagues from Local 34 and of neighbors from his ward. “We are now in a position not only to wish for a stronger neighborhood and a better New Haven, but to come together as a community and make it happen,” he said.
Stay tuned for updates on next steps for this group of leaders once they take office in January.
We Are One New Haven! April 1, 2011
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On March 30, following our union membership meetings, members of Local34, Local 35, GESO, and Local 217 joined with thousands of New Haven residents, private and public-sector workers, students, retirees and more for a dramatic march to New Haven City Hall. The rally, attended by over 3,000 people, according to the New Haven Register, was part of a wave of demonstrations for good jobs across the country that were inspired by attacks on workers’ rights in states such as Wisconsin, Ohio and Indiana.
Union members meet with state and local elected officials January 3, 2011
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Senator-elect Richard Blumenthal with Brian Wingate, Hope Johnson, Bob Proto, Meg Riccio, Mike Boyd and John Martin of Local 35.
UNITE HERE at Yale and other New Haven-area union members met and mingled with local and state-level elected officials at the Greater New Haven Central Labor Council holiday party held December 6.
Guests included Senator-elect Richard Blumenthal, Lieutenant Governor-elect Nancy Wyman, Hamden Mayor Scott Jackson, East Haven Mayor April Capone-Almon, State Representative Steve Fontana, and State Representative-elect Roland Lemar.
The Greater New Haven Central Labor Council, located on Chapel Street, brings together the many different unions throughout the New Haven area. This year, New Haven’s unions made a critical difference in the election season by boosting voter registration and turnout on Election Day.
Our Union and Political Action April 7, 2010
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Members often ask why our unions get involved in politics. It is because our elected officials—local, state and national—have a significant impact on the issues working people like us face every day. So when Local 34 or Unite Here International Union decides to endorse a political candidate, we look at who has the strongest record of supporting union workers, protecting organizing rights, and helping working families face the challenges of the new economy.
2010 is shaping up to be an exceptionally eventful year in Connecticut politics. With forthcoming elections for one of Connecticut’s Senate seats, the Governorship, the Attorney General’s office and the Secretary of the State, we face a rare opportunity to have a substantial impact on the political leadership of our state. Each of these offices holds important power over issues that affect our working lives and our union every day. It is more important than ever that we make our voices heard this year and work to elect leaders who will represent working people and fight to protect our interests in Hartford and in Washington.
As the candidates for these various offices become clear over the next few weeks and months, Local 34’s Political Action Committee will begin the process of interviewing candidates seeking our union’s endorsement and make recommendations to the Executive Board.
