August 9, 2018
Judge Brett Kavanaugh is a danger to workers.
On July 28, 2018, I spoke at a rally in opposition to the nomination of Supreme Court Nominee, Judge Brett Kavanaugh. While I was generally aware of the concerns about Kavanaugh’s nomination, I wasn’t as familiar with his opinions on workers’ right. Looking into it was chilling. I’m sharing my comments from the rally so people can learn more…
Read MoreMay 10, 2018
Studying Social Change: A Collective Study for Stronger Social Movements
Following up on our T.O.A.S.T (Transformative Organizing and Skills Training) series, we are launching a new series of events to help us grow our skills and knowledge as organizers. Social change requires both action and reflection. In this study group series, we will explore topics identified by our members in order to deepen our collective…
Read MoreMarch 2, 2018
“There is no Good Society without a Good Union”: a Faith Perspective on the Janus Case
“There is no Good Society without a Good Union”: a Faith Perspective on the Janus Case By Father Mike Seavey On Monday February 26, 2018; the US Supreme Court heard arguments in the case of Janus vs. AFSCME. The case focused on a public employee labor union’s right to collect “agency fees” from employees who…
Read MoreJanuary 22, 2018
T.O.A.S.T: Transformative Organizing And Skills Training
Introducing T.O.A.S.T: Transformative Organizing And Skills Training, a ten-part series of workshops for members (and friends) of the Southern Maine Workers’ Center. We’ll build-up the skills we need for the growth of our committees, the power of our campaigns, and the sustainability of our organization. We’ll be learning the crucial building blocks of grassroots organizing,…
Read MoreJuly 10, 2017
We’re Hiring! Join the team as our HCHR organizer
We’re hiring a Health Care is a Human Right Community Organizer The Southern Maine Workers’ Center is looking for a part time organizer for our Health Care is a Human Right campaign. At SMWC we believe that a health care system treated as a public good and based on the human rights principles is a…
Read MoreJuly 10, 2017
I’m moving on, but I’ll do so carrying the light you’ve given me
Dear SMWC members, leaders, and friends, I’m writing to let you know that I will be leaving the HCHR organizer position in mid August. My partner, who is a writer, was accepted to an MFA program and she, our many cats, and I are shipping off to the San Francisco Bay Area to follow the…
Read MoreJuly 9, 2017
We Won’t Let our Rights be Traded Away Behind Closed Doors
We Won’t Let our Rights be Traded Away Behind Closed Doors Late at night on Friday, June 30th, a compromise budget failed to pass in the state house, triggering a shutdown of Maine state government, which ended late on July 3rd. While we are grateful that this manufactured crisis has ended, we know that the…
Read MoreMay 11, 2017
Health Care is a Human Right Committee Statement & Call to Action on DHHS Proposed MaineCare Rule Change
We at the Southern Maine Workers’ Center (SMWC) are fighting for a universal, publicly-funded health care system that honors our human rights. The protection and expansion of existing public health care programs are important reform measures that also grant us platforms to demand the system we truly need. Right now, the Maine Department of Health…
Read MoreMay 5, 2017
Test for Tip in Cash Page
Join the movement. Sign the pledge to tip in cash today! Wage Theft is the illegal underpayment or non-payment of workers’ wages. Workers lose billions of dollars when their employers pay less than minimum wage; refuse overtime pay; force workers to work off the clock; hold back final paychecks; misclassify employees as independent contractors… or…
Read MoreMay 5, 2017
Connecting the Dots from Paris to Portland and Worker Justice to Climate Justice
At the Southern Maine Workers’ Center, we use a framework of human rights to help us envision the world we are building toward. We are organizing a broad based movement for the rights of poor and working class people in Maine, like the human rights to health care and to work with dignity. Recently we…
Read MoreMarch 20, 2017
People’s Forum on Health Care
**PRESS RELEASE** Rejecting Republican Health Care Bill, Southern Maine Workers’ Center to hold People’s Forum on Health Care For Immediate Release Southern Maine Workers’ Center Contact: Ronald Flannery Ronald@maineworkers.org 207-344-4485 Portland, ME: On the evening of Monday, March 27th, the Southern Maine Workers’ Center along with Maine AllCare and the Maine State Nurses Association…
Read MoreFebruary 21, 2017
Our Invitation to Senator Susan Collins
On Saturday February 18th the Maine Health Care is a Human Right Coalition held a powerful rally, attended by more than 200 people, at the Monument Square with a march to Senator Collin’s office. We left her a loaf of bread with this invitation to join us at the upcoming People’s Forum on Health Care….
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