State House Senate staff move to form a union!

Hi , State House Senate staff calls for union recognition! This is a long time coming and well overdue — we’ve known conditions for staff have been bad for a long time. Due to the massive power difference between legislators and staff, all State House staff need and deserve union representation to bargain for fair pay, working conditions, and the dignity and respect all workers deserve.  I have experienced firsthand how much our staff do and the value of their work. Let me be clear, our entire institution would come to a grinding halt if it weren’t for our staff. During my first month in office, my aide Lucas became a father to a beautiful baby girl. He was away for three months of paid family leave, and the State House refused to provide a temporary replacement. During those three months, I learned and performed all the functions of what staff do to support our offices, and wholeheartedly support their efforts for union recognition.  This is also why, last year I facilitated an anonymous, voluntary survey with Senator Diana DiZoglio that was created by State House staffers in various offices, alongside Beacon BLOC, a collective of Beacon Hill staff members and residents advocating for anti-racist and justice-centered systems within the State House. Many concerns were raised in the survey, including issues around compensation, financial security, monthly work expenses pre/post-COVID-19, pay equity and overall dynamics in the building. In response, we filed a series of five bills to: Ensure all staff are paid a living wage Account for increased cost of living during COVID-19 Provide COLA adjustments to legislative staff salaries Eliminate the waiting period for health insurance coverage Establish a position for an officer to anonymously represent legislative employees before all persons authorized to make employment-related decisions, to give them a voice as members of the workforce and as residents of the Commonwealth before those in positions of power You can read more about these bills and the working conditions on Beacon Hill on WBUR. I am so proud to have supported the efforts of Beacon BLOC and State House staffers in their fight for a workplace that treats all workers with dignity and respect. I'm honored to stand in solidarity with the Massachusetts State House Employee Union and IBEW 2222! You can join me in showing your support for the staff union by signing the pledge, and sharing on social media.  Exclusive On These Grounds film screening and community forum at Somerville Theatre On Monday, Justice for Flavia is hosting a screening of On These Grounds at Somerville Theatre, a documentary on justice and policing in schools. followed by a Q&A and panel discussion. The panel will be moderated by Somerville resident Flavia Peréa, whose 6-year-old son was reported to the police by the Somerville Public Schools in first grade. Policing in schools is a critical racial justice issue in Somerville and across the country. For many of us, we had the privilege of growing up and going to school without the presence of police. That is not the reality for students in Somerville and more importantly has not been the reality for Black and Brown students, students from gateway cities, and students with disabilities who are disproportionately disciplined and arrested rather than receiving the support and care they deserve. I’ve been proud to support the efforts by Justice for Flavia and so many of our community members and advocates to keep police (or school resource officers) out of our classrooms. Tickets for the screening can be purchased here. Office hours Join me for office hours, April 15th from 4pm to 6pm! You can meet me socially distanced at 11 Wesley Park (in my backyard) or join me virtually via zoom at this link. See you soon! Somerville for Roberto Join me, Ben Ewen-Campen, Andre Green, Ilana Krepchin, and Charlotte Kelly this Sunday at Winter Hill Brewery from 4-6PM for an event for Roberto Jiménez Rivera. Roberto is running for State Representative in the new 11th Suffolk district in Chelsea and Everett. As a Chelsea School Committee member and labor organizer with the Boston Teachers Union, Roberto and I fought side by side to secure equitable school funding for our students, educators, and schools through the Student Opportunity Act. Our neighbors in Chelsea and Everett deserve someone who understands that we need equitable funding for our schools and for all our community needs. RSVP here.  It is truly an honor to serve you all, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office if you have any questions, want to advocate for any bills, or need any help from government services.  Follow on Twitter Follow on Facebook In solidarity, Erika Committee to Elect Erika Uyterhoeven 11 Wesley Park Somerville, MA 02144 United States Official State Rep website: www.RepErika.com Campaign website: www.ElectErika.com If you believe you received this message in error or wish to no longer receive email from us, please (Unsubscribing is not supported in previews).