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The Fight at UMass Lowell

On Tuesday, May 2nd our Local joined hundreds of supporters of the Adjunct Faculty, UAW Local 1596 at UMass Lowell. The Adjuncts have been fighting for their first contract for 14 month!  We stood with them as they demanded a fair contract NOW!

These hardworking UAW members teach a majority of the classes at UMass Lowell, but have:

  • No Job Security
  • No Health Insurance
  • No Wage Increases in 10 years

ServiceNet Ratifies a New Contract

On Thursday April 26, 2012 ServiceNet Union Members ratified a new contract by a strong majority.  New contracts will be available after the ServiceNet Board of Directors ratifies, as well.  Thanks to all of you who worked to make this a successful campaign.  While we certainly did not get everything we wanted,  we were successful in avoiding take-backs and  getting small permanent wage increases.  We owe a special debt of gratitude to the tireless bargaining team; Joseph Frimpong, Jon King, Sly Toney, Mary Hynes, Hakimeh Zadeh and many others who helped out in countless ways.  Please try to personally thank these folks in whatever way you can for their courage and perseverance.

A recap of the most significant changes can be found on the ServiceNet page of this website. 

Nonotuck Wins a New Contract

After 5 months of difficult negotiations Nonotuck Community School won a new contract through 2014. Highlights of the new contract can be found on the Nonotuck page of this website.

Invite to Northampton Pride

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The Western Massachusetts chapter of Pride at Work, a national organization of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender members that are part of the labor movement, are organizing a contingent for the 31st Annual Northampton Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride celebration on Saturday, May 12th in downtown Northampton.

Pride at Work- Western Mass. invites all union members and allies to join us as we march to demonstrate mutual support of the L/G/B/T community and the Labor Movement for social & economic justice.  If you can't march with us in the parade, please look for our information table at the rally.

Pride at Work- Western Mass. meets monthly in downtown Northampton on the first Wednesday from 4:00-5:30 pm in the Frances Crowe Community Room of the Media Education Foundation, 60 Masonic St., (Behind Woodstar Cafe), Northampton.  Our next meeting is scheduled for April 4th.  New members are always welcome.

UPDATE - We will gather between the Northampton Brewery and the parking garage at 11:30 am on May 12th.  We hope to have many representatives from progressive labor and its allies in the march.  We will be hosting a sign-making party at the Local 2322 office on Wednesday, May 9th from 4:00-6:00 pm (prior to the Executive Board meeting.)

For more information about the Western Mass. chapter, please contact Ron Patenaude, UAW 2322 at (413) 534-7600, ron@uaw2322.org or Court Cline, UAW 2322/IWW 650 at (413) 545-0705, court@uaw2322.org .  More information about the national organization can be found at:  www.prideatwork.org


- by Court Cline, UAW Local Union Press Association

Remembering the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire

Community members gathered, on March 23rd, in New York City to march with a 146 shirts, each containing a name of a fire victim, down Washington Place to the corner of Green Street, the site of the tragic fire.  It was a time of struggle, worker against employers. Unions were gaining strength, changing the way we work to this day. Sometimes you hear "what has the union done for me?" To answer that you need to look to the history of unions and not just the struggles we face today. Even non-union worker benefit from the gains made through labor battles of year's gone by.  The Triangle Factory employees wanted a union so they could help improve working conditions and health hazards. Unfortunately the bosses there fought off the union and so the poor working conditions continued. Workers were locked into their spaces, doors were blocked with clutter and fire escapes were in such poor condition that they collapsed. According to one article found online the youngest worker to die was 11 years old. Those workers were doing 52 hours a week, working 6 days a week. One report states that this fire and the upsurge of worker safety, indirectly led to the creation of OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration)

- by Scott LaRochelle, UAW Local Union Press Association

Links to the Triangle Factory Fire:
American Experience (great documentary about the workers' struggle and fire)
​100 Years Later
Lessons May Be Lost
City Residents Remember

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