Workers from Ironworkers Local 7 outside the State House on Wednesday, March 31

 After a lobby day on March 31 that saw over 1,500 workers swarm Beacon Hill to demand the jobs that casinos will deliver, House Speaker Robert DeLeo pushed through expanded gaming legislation by a vote of 120 - 37 on the night of Wednesday, April 14.

The lobby day was sponsored by the Coalition for Jobs and Growth, of which the Greater Boston Labor Council is a part, and included a rally outside the State House, a hearing with several legislators including Representatives Kathi-Anne Reinstein and Martin Walsh, who heard testimony from unemployed workers, and a lobbying effort by rank and file union members who told their state reps that they needed casino gambling legislation to create jobs and put food on the table for families around the Commonwealth.

The event was also a great show of solidarity, as participants included not only building trades and service workers, but several unions from the public sector and other areas.  Public sector workers rallied around the provision in the bill that earmarked gaming revenue for local aid to municipalities.  

ST Rogers noted the importance of labor solidarity around issues like gaming.  "We can't fix the public sector until we fix the private sector," he said. "Putting people back to work will replenish state coffers and alleviate the pressure on public employee benefits."