Put People First! Radio Vermont Workers' Center

Under the current health insurance system, many people are struggling because they do not have access to the health care that they need. The goal of health insurance providers is to maximize profits by charging a lot of money and limiting which services will be covered. With the high costs of health insurance, access to health care is available only to those who can afford it. Insurance also limits the treatments and services that the insurer will pay for, regardless of what type of care is actually needed. For everyone to have access to the care they need when they need it, we must move away from a health insurance market and move toward a universal healthcare system.

Vermont has lead the way for universal healthcare but there is still much left to do. Our health is on the line and those who are profiting from the current health insurance system, such as big private insurance companies. They are going to fight to keep the system as it is, protecting their profits and self interests. But together we can lead the way for universal healthcare and create a system that puts people first. Listen to this episode of Put People First! Radio to find out more!

Many people in Vermont are struggling to meet their fundamental needs and fulfill their human rights; such as housing, healthcare, education, livable wages, and paid sick days. Over the past year, we have seen these needs and rights come under attack. Decisions are being made that will affect our lives for years to come, and we aren’t given a seat at the table.

This May 1st, come out to Montpelier to take part in a “health and dignity” march and day of action. On this day, we will continue to build a movement of people organizing for human rights and real democracy for all people in Vermont. May 1st is a celebration of our families, our communities, and our strength as a people’s movement.

This event is family friendly, and will include music, art, kid friendly activities, and fun!

Join us at the Vermont Statehouse at noon for the march. For more information and to register, go to www.workerscenter.org/may1 or call (802) 861-4892

On Monday, March 17th, CCTA bus drivers began their strike against unsafe working conditions and predatory management practices, like surveillance and unfair discipline, and the threat of part-time status. Drivers were joined by community members, union members, and many other supporters in an informational picket that demonstrated the strong support for the drivers from members of the community. Jim Foutz, a CCTA driver, spoke about the unsafe and unjust working conditions faced by the drivers and how they are asking for a fair contract that would allow them to work safely and with dignity.
Joshua Chasin, a participant in the rally and social justice leader in the community, spoke about his support for the drivers and about management’s lack of respect for the drivers.
The CCTA drivers will continue their strike until management offers them a fair contract that allows them to have dignified jobs and safe working conditions. In order to ensure that the drivers are given a fair contract, the community must come together to show support for the drivers and to put pressure on management to compromise and meet their demands.

For more information on the strike or to get involved, go to http://support-ccta-drivers.weebly.com/

Women hold the majority of low wage, part-time, and temporary jobs, and make up nearly half of the nation’s workforce, yet about half of women continue to be denied crucial rights at work, including essential paid sick days. When women are denied these rights, our communities suffer.

The proposed Earned Sick Days Bill would ensure that all workers in VT are able to take time off when they or a loved one are sick. To support paid sick days is to support women’s rights, work with dignity, and gender equity.

March 8th, International Women’s Day, is a celebration of women organizing for social change and demonstrating their essential roles in society. Join us on this day at noon at Christ Episcopal Church in Montpelier to march on Montpelier for paid sick days for all workers. Following the march, there will be a speakout featuring women leaders in VT’s labor movement and in the community.

Join us on this day to celebrate women’s rights and to ensure that paid sick days be available for all workers in Vermont.

On Thursday, January 30th, over one hundred people gathered at the statehouse in Montpelier to support passing PSD legislation this year. With this proposed legislation, all workers would get one hour of paid leave for every 30 hours worked; up to seven sick days per year, which would allow them to take time off without having to lose wages. Many people testified before the House General Committee to share how they’ve struggled without paid sick days and to show legislators why paid sick days for all workers are essential to the health and dignity of all people in Vermont. Others testified in solidarity with the thousands of Vermonters who struggle
each day to meet their fundamental needs and who cannot afford to miss a day of work without pay when they or a loved one get sick.

Many people shared how they struggle to make ends meet working in part-time, full-time, and temporary jobs, and how paid sick days must be available to all workers.

Many business owners also shared why they support PSDs and why PSDs will not only benefit workers but businesses as well.

Jennifer Kimmick, co owner of the Alchemist Pub & Brewery, shared how providing her employees with paid sick time helped her employees and her business.

Paid sick days are a major step toward ensuring that the people of Vermont are treated with dignity at work.Without this legislation, many business owners will continue to prioritize their bottom line over the health needs of their employees. The people of Vermont can’t afford to wait any longer. We must contact our representatives now and let them know we are in support of paid sick days for all workers in Vermont.

On Friday January 17th, many people gathered at the DMV in Burlington and Montpelier to stand in solidarity with their immigrant neighbors in getting a driver’s privilege card. Last year, as a result of grassroots organizing across the state, migrant farm workers and allies came together and won the right to drivers licenses for all, regardless of immigration status. In order to make sure the driver’s privilege cards are not an indication of immigration status, allies came together to trade in their licenses for a driver’s privilege card.

Before winning the right to driver’s licenses, thousands of migrant workers in VT were denied their fundamental right to movement. They were often isolated on farms and had to rely on others to access fundamental needs such as food and health care. Standing together in solidarity on MLK weekend, we are reminded that when our communities come together to fight collectively for our rights, anything can be achieved. The driver’s licenses not only give everyone the right to movement, but represent freedom and dignity for all people.