Hundreds sign up to join “Fight for $15” during Dorchester event
DORCHESTER, MA – The #WageAction coalition, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, Jobs with Justice, MassUniting, the NAACP, and other progressive organizations hosted a free community fair on Carson Beach as workers and advocates celebrated recent victories and gear up for a week of #WageAction around Labor Day.
Under blue skies on Saturday, August 16, the event at Carson Beach near the border of Dorchester and South Boston drew approximately 1,000 participants from the community throughout the course of the day. The August 16 event celebrated the successful launch of a low-wage workers movement in Massachusetts and attracted even more workers and community members to the Fight for $15 cause.
Families turned out in big numbers to enjoy free BBQ, raffles, kids’ games, dance contests, and other free family fun between Noon and 6:00 p.m. Free workshops were also held focusing on family budgeting, eating healthy on a budget, stress reduction, and yoga.
At 2:30 p.m., low wage workers and elected leaders staged a brief speaking program at the Gazebo off Carson Beach. Workers from across industries – including fast food, transportation, homecare and more – talked about why they’re joining the Fight for $15 movement and the struggles they face living on low wages.
“I have worked in homecare for 14 years. I am in the same situation as many low wage workers. I have terrible wages, no sick days, or vacations” said caregiver Eneyda Perez during the program. “As a single mother, I’m part of the movement of homecare workers who are joining the Fight for $15.”
On the heels of the national fast-food strikes, workers winning a $15 minimum wage in Seattle, and the #WageAction event held in Boston on June 12, advocates are planning a Week of #WageAction around Labor Day.
Candidate for Governor Martha Coakley, Candidate for Attorney General Warren Tolman, Boston City Councilor Tito Jackson, Candidate for Treasurer Deb Goldberg, Candidate for Register of Probate & Family Court Felix D. Arroyo, Candidate for State Representative Eric Esteves, Representative Dan Cullinane, Representative Gloria Fox, Representative Evandro C. Carvalho, and candidates for Lieutenant Governor Steve Kerrigan and Mike Lake were amongst those who stopped by the Community Fair.
Partner organizations with information tables or conducting workshops at the fair included: Boston Public Health Commission – Navigators, One Care, More Than Wheels, Health Care for All, Boston Medical Center, MassUniting, BPD Neighborhood Crime Watch Unit and Crimestoppers Units, City Of Boston Dept. of Neighborhood Development, NAACP, South End Community Health Center, Carney Hospital, Opportunity to Learn, 1199SEIU Training & Upgrading Fund, BPHC Entre Familia, Whittier Street Health Center, Roxbury Community College, Community Membership Program of Huntington Theater Productions, Sonnenschein Law, BPHC Mayor's Health Line, MassCosh Teen L@W, Chinese Progressive Association, Sele-Dent, City of Boston Neighborhood Services, City of Boston New Bostonians, NY Life, ACE, and Jobs with Justice, amongst others.
DORCHESTER, MA – The #WageAction coalition, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, Jobs with Justice, MassUniting, the NAACP, and other progressive organizations hosted a free community fair on Carson Beach as workers and advocates celebrated recent victories and gear up for a week of #WageAction around Labor Day.
Under blue skies on Saturday, August 16, the event at Carson Beach near the border of Dorchester and South Boston drew approximately 1,000 participants from the community throughout the course of the day. The August 16 event celebrated the successful launch of a low-wage workers movement in Massachusetts and attracted even more workers and community members to the Fight for $15 cause.
Families turned out in big numbers to enjoy free BBQ, raffles, kids’ games, dance contests, and other free family fun between Noon and 6:00 p.m. Free workshops were also held focusing on family budgeting, eating healthy on a budget, stress reduction, and yoga.
At 2:30 p.m., low wage workers and elected leaders staged a brief speaking program at the Gazebo off Carson Beach. Workers from across industries – including fast food, transportation, homecare and more – talked about why they’re joining the Fight for $15 movement and the struggles they face living on low wages.
“I have worked in homecare for 14 years. I am in the same situation as many low wage workers. I have terrible wages, no sick days, or vacations” said caregiver Eneyda Perez during the program. “As a single mother, I’m part of the movement of homecare workers who are joining the Fight for $15.”
On the heels of the national fast-food strikes, workers winning a $15 minimum wage in Seattle, and the #WageAction event held in Boston on June 12, advocates are planning a Week of #WageAction around Labor Day.
Candidate for Governor Martha Coakley, Candidate for Attorney General Warren Tolman, Boston City Councilor Tito Jackson, Candidate for Treasurer Deb Goldberg, Candidate for Register of Probate & Family Court Felix D. Arroyo, Candidate for State Representative Eric Esteves, Representative Dan Cullinane, Representative Gloria Fox, Representative Evandro C. Carvalho, and candidates for Lieutenant Governor Steve Kerrigan and Mike Lake were amongst those who stopped by the Community Fair.
Partner organizations with information tables or conducting workshops at the fair included: Boston Public Health Commission – Navigators, One Care, More Than Wheels, Health Care for All, Boston Medical Center, MassUniting, BPD Neighborhood Crime Watch Unit and Crimestoppers Units, City Of Boston Dept. of Neighborhood Development, NAACP, South End Community Health Center, Carney Hospital, Opportunity to Learn, 1199SEIU Training & Upgrading Fund, BPHC Entre Familia, Whittier Street Health Center, Roxbury Community College, Community Membership Program of Huntington Theater Productions, Sonnenschein Law, BPHC Mayor's Health Line, MassCosh Teen L@W, Chinese Progressive Association, Sele-Dent, City of Boston Neighborhood Services, City of Boston New Bostonians, NY Life, ACE, and Jobs with Justice, amongst others.
