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Confronting the
Recession:
A Speak out for Justice and Fairness in the Economy
Saturday, February 2
2:00 - 5:00 PM, Faneuil Hall, Boston
Interviews with speakers may be arranged before the forum.
January 24, 2002
For more info, contact:
Rand Wilson, 617.442.4100 x139
On Saturday, Feb. 2...
Workers hardest hit by recession will speak out at Faneuil Hall for jobs, housing,
health care and quality public services
Boston, MA - Members of Congress and Massachusetts' senior elected officials
have been invited to hear directly from workers, the unemployed, and retirees
who are facing tough times as the result of this year's deep recession.
The public forum on February 2 will feature speakers from a variety of backgrounds
who share common concerns about huge cuts in social services. These cuts have
left virtually no safety net to protect Massachusetts' working families. Speakers
will describe the impact of the recession on their families and express their
outrage about cuts when CEOs are still getting big bonuses, companies are getting
hefty bailouts and Congress is talking about giving another huge tax break to
the rich.
To date, workers from the airline industry, Lucent Technologies, Polaroid, General
Electric, Power One, and Kayem Meatpacking have been confirmed as speakers. Also
participating will be laid-off social service providers, hospital employees and
immigrant workers. Helping to draw links between their struggles will be representatives
from the Mass AFL-CIO, the Massachusetts Nurses Association, and the Brazilian
Immigrant Center. The forum will be co-chaired by Mel King and Elaine Bernard.
In addition to the elected officials, a number of prominent community and religious
leaders will be present.
Confronting the Recession:
A Speak out for Justice and Fairness in the Economy
Saturday, February 2
2:00 - 5:00 PM, Faneuil Hall, Boston
Interviews with speakers may be arranged before the forum.
The event is sponsored by the Massachusetts Workers' Rights Board (a project of
Massachusetts Jobs with Justice) and is endorsed by more than 40 labor, immigrant,
religious, welfare, and social justice organizations.
Forum organizers have also planned a special follow-up conference "Forging a New
Social Contract" at Harvard University on Saturday, February 9 to plan for actions
that will put pressure on government to meet the challenge of providing services
during an economic downturn.
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