2011: A Snapshot of Our Achievements and Struggles
Over this past year, we have all been moved and inspired by the
enduring powerful spirit of everyday, working people coming together
and overcoming what seemed impossible. At NMASS, we've seen that
fundamental change requires an organized movement of working people
with a vision for control in our workplaces and in our communities
and demands that unify across racial, industry and nationality
lines. Despite the mounting attacks on working people and painful
budget cuts from all angles, NMASS members are demanding and winning
more for our health, workplaces and communities:
With the passing of the Zadroga Act, the 9/11 Health and Compensation
Act, NMASS members on the Lower East Side, partnering with other
groups, forced the federal government to acknowledge that thousands
of residents and other workers along with the first responders,
still suffer devastating health problems from exposure to the
toxic fallout of the World Trade Center towers' collapse.
NMASS
is bringing together the diverse low and middle-income community
of the LES to push for the People First initiative to empower
community members to fight for control of all facets of our community--from
health to land use. The initiative includes a community rezoning
plan which will protect our historically working-class community
from displacement at the hands of luxury developers and New York
City, as well as demands for government responsibility for the
health needs of those hurt by 9/11 and affected by deteriorating
housing conditions.
On
Manhattan's Upper West Side, our organizing of workers at the
Saigon Grill restaurant inspired hundreds of other service workers
to come forward, leading community members to launch the Sweat
Shop Free UWS campaign to support workers' organizing and encourage
business owners to promote fair labor practices. In addition,
Assembly member Linda Rosenthal introduced a bill that was passed
last year addressing the health and safety of nail salon workers.
Now, NMASS and Sweat Shop Free are launching a city-wide boycott
of Domino's Pizza Inc. to hold the corporation accountable for
the blatant sweatshop conditions of its franchises.
None of this would have been possible without the support and
participation of our members and allies. This is why we wanted
to let you know about how we plan to rev up for the next year
and hear your thoughts.
In 2012, NMASS will prioritize two areas of our work. With our
worker-community collaboration project, the Sweat Shop Free UWS
campaign, we want to organize workers all around the city to hold
Domino's Pizza Inc. accountable, breaking open new possibilities
for still more workers to come together to organize and provide
leadership to a community fight for improved working conditions.
On the Lower East Side, we will continue to mobilize the community
to protect our homes, health and jobs by demanding that the City
government adopt our People First Rezoning plan as an important
first step towards community control.
Now is the time for a new labor movement that unites us--the 99%--with
concrete purpose and gives us a fighting chance to gain control
over our lives. Join us and start off your 2012 with a contribution to support
a new movement for working people.
Click here to make a PayPal donation OR send a check to:
NMASS P.O. Box 130293, New York, NY 10013-0995
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