Put People First! Radio

Many people in Vermont are struggling to meet their fundamental needs and fulfill their human rights; such as housing, healthcare, education, livable wages, and paid sick days. Over the past year, we have seen these needs and rights come under attack. Decisions are being made that will affect our lives for years to come, and we aren’t given a seat at the table. This May 1st, come out to Montpelier to take part in a “health and dignity” march and day of action. On this day, we will continue to build a movement of people organizing for human rights and real democracy for all people in Vermont. May 1st is a celebration of our families, our communities, and our strength as a people’s movement. This event is family friendly, and will include music, art, kid friendly activities, and fun! Join us at the Vermont Statehouse at noon for the march. For more information and to register, go to www.workerscenter.org/may1 or call (802) 861-4892

On Monday, March 17th, CCTA bus drivers began their strike against unsafe working conditions and predatory management practices, like surveillance and unfair discipline, and the threat of part-time status. Drivers were joined by community members, union members, and many other supporters in an informational picket that demonstrated the strong support for the drivers from members of the community. Jim Foutz, a CCTA driver, spoke about the unsafe and unjust working conditions faced by the drivers and how they are asking for a fair contract that would allow them to work safely and with dignity. Joshua Chasin, a participant in the rally and social justice leader in the community, spoke about his support for the drivers and about management’s lack of respect for the drivers. The CCTA drivers will continue their strike until management offers them a fair contract that allows them to have dignified jobs and safe working conditions. In order to ensure that the drivers are given a fair contract, the community must come together to show support for the drivers and to put pressure on management to compromise and meet their demands. For more information on the strike or to get involved, go to http://support-ccta-drivers.weebly.com/

On Thursday, January 30th, over one hundred people gathered at the statehouse in Montpelier to support passing PSD legislation this year. With this proposed legislation, all workers would get one hour of paid leave for every 30 hours worked; up to seven sick days per year, which would allow them to take time off without having to lose wages. Many people testified before the House General Committee to share how they’ve struggled without paid sick days and to show legislators why paid sick days for all workers are essential to the health and dignity of all people in Vermont. Others testified in solidarity with the thousands of Vermonters who struggle each day to meet their fundamental needs and who cannot afford to miss a day of work without pay when they or a loved one get sick. Many people shared how they struggle to make ends meet working in part-time, full-time, and temporary jobs, and how paid sick days must be available to all workers. Many business owners also shared why they support PSDs and why PSDs will not only benefit workers but businesses as well. Jennifer Kimmick, co owner of the Alchemist Pub & Brewery, shared how providing her employees with paid sick time helped her employees and her business. Paid sick days are a major step toward ensuring that the people of Vermont are treated with dignity at work.Without this legislation, many business owners will continue to prioritize their bottom line over the health needs of their employees. The people of Vermont can’t afford to wait any longer. We must contact our representatives now and let them know we are in support of paid sick days for all workers in Vermont.

On Tuesday, January 7th, more than 100 people from across VT packed the statehouse in Montpelier to kick off the 2014 legislative session. The day began with a rally and press conference, lead by leaders of organizations such as Green Mountain Self Advocates, AFSCME, AFT, and the Vermont Workers’ Center, who spoke about winning our human right to dignified work by passing PSD legislation this year. To kick off the press conference, members delivered over 2,000 PSD petitions to legislators to show the commitment to healthy communities and dignified work and the urgency to pass PSD this year. Along with PSDs, leaders also spoke about supporting VT Early Educators in forming a union, continuing to move forward with universal healthcare in VT, and developing a people’s budget that meets everyone’s fundamental needs. Following the rally and press conference, Governor Shumlin spoke to the House and Senate Healthcare Committees on how to move forward with universal healthcare in Vermont. Gov Shumlin spoke about the problems with the current insurance marketplace, VT Health Connect, and spoke about how to move forward with VT’s transition to a universal healthcare system, which was passed into law in 2011 after years of grassroots organizing through the HCHR campaign. The day ended with a People’s Team training. The People’s Team consists of PPF members who sit in on legislative meetings at the statehouse in order to hold government officials accountable for decisions they make that affect the people of Vermont. During the training, members from PPF organizations spoke about the goals for this legislative session, what to expect when sitting in on a legislative meeting, and about what it means to be a member of the People’s Team. This legislative session, through passing PSD legislation, supporting VT Early Educators in forming a union, developing a people’s budget that meets everyone’s fundamental needs, and continuing to work toward a universal healthcare system, together we will win Health & Dignity for the people of Vermont.

On Thursday May 30th, hundreds of Vermont residents participated in a citizens’ hearing surrounding the potential arrival of the F-35 aircraft in Burlington. Immediately after the Burlington airport was chosen as the base for the F-35 aircraft, Vermont residents came together to express their opposition. Many people expressed their concerns about the noise pollution that the jets would bring to their neighborhoods as well as the enormous costs and technical flaws of the aircraft. If the F-35 aircraft is based in Burlington, over 7,000 lives will be negatively affected. Many residents also spoke about legislators’ continued support for the F-35 and expressed their concerns about how they were not given the opportunity to take part in a decision that greatly affects them and their neighbors. Residents at the hearing called for policies that put people first.