Rogers re-elected as Executive ST

On December 4th Rich Rogers was elected to a second four-year term as Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the GBLC. Rogers’ was nominated by GBLC President Louis Mandarini and elected by acclamation. ‘ I look forward to working with everyone in the Greater Boston labor community to continue to build the council into an even stronger voice for working families throughout our jurisdiction’. Said Rogers upon accepting the nomination.


Municipal Officials Dinner a success:

On Wednesday November 14th the Montvale Plaza in Stoneham was the venue for the GBLC’s 4th annual ‘Salute to Municipal Officeholders”.

Approximately 250 union officers and activists were joined by a large delegation of municipal elected officials at the event. Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone, longtime Cambridge City Councilors Anthony Galluccio and Michael Sullivan and GBLC Vice-President Patricia Armstrong, from the Boston Teachers Union, were honored at the dinner.

The dinner serves as a tremendous networking opportunity for GBLC affiliates and also is an important fundraiser for the council. Twenty-seven thousand dollars in advertising revenue was generated for the GBLC in the ad book that accompanies the dinner. Thank You!


CLU Assists Security Guard Organizing Campaign

Community Labor United, the GBLC’s sister organization, has once again demonstrated that labor and community organizations working together can make a real difference in the struggle for economic and social justice. In November 20 community leaders from CLU’s community based partners joined with SEIU Local 615 organizers in signing up Boston area security guards. In a seven-day period 450 guards signed union cards at the workplace and on home calls. Congratulations CLU!


GBLC News and Notes

Attention Political Junkies: Robb Smith, Research Director for Community Labor United, has created a blog to track Democratic prospects for the United States Senate in 2008. Its focus is on following the races that could bring Democrats the 60 votes needed for cloture to pass the Employee Free Choice Act. Go to http://8in08.blogspot.com/


Boston’s Cab Drivers join GBLC. The Boston Taxi Cab Drivers Association, an affiliate of the United Steel Workers, has joined the Greater Boston Labor Council. The GBLC formally endorsed the efforts of Boston’s cab drivers to organize with the USW at its October 2007 delegates meeting.
AFL-CIO Scholarship exam set for February 6, 2008. The Massachusetts AFL-CIO’s annual scholarship exam will be held on Friday February 8th at high schools across the Commonwealth. The application deadline for students is December 21,2007. The GBLC offers five $1,000 scholarships annually as part of the AFL-CIO program. For further information contact Jackie Bergantino at 781-324-8230.


Next Meeting: The next meeting of the GBLC is Thursday January 3, 2008 at IBEW Local 103 beginning at 7PM. Please note this is a change from our usual first Tuesday of the month due to a conflict with New Year’s Day. A COPE endorsement meeting for the state representatives seat vacated by Mike Festa [D-Melrose] will be held following adjournment of the delegates meeting on January 3rd.