January 2026 NSLC Newsletter

Rest In Peace Alex Pretti

On January 24th, 2026, Alex Pretti was murdered by federal agents. A VA nurse, member of AFGE 3669, and an ICE watch activist, Alex was 37 years old.

AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler issued the following statement:

"The AFL-CIO mourns the senseless killing of another Minneapolis resident by federal agents. Alex Jeffrey Pretti was a VA intensive care unit nurse and a member of AFGE Local 3669—a brother in our union family. Our thoughts are with Alex’s loved ones, his union siblings, and the people of Minneapolis at this devastating time.

"As tens of thousands of Minnesotans made clear peacefully and powerfully yesterday, the Trump administration’s horrific operation—and their actions aimed at stoking violence and chaos—must end. America’s unions join the call for ICE to immediately leave Minnesota before anyone else is hurt or killed. We demand local authorities conduct a full, transparent investigation that will lead to accountability for this tragic and violent act, and for Congress to use its power to hold ICE accountable."
 

The American Federation of Government Employees issued a statement which in part read:

"Today, Alex Jeffrey Pretti, an AFGE Local 3669 member and a nurse at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center who dedicated his life to serving American veterans, was killed during protests in Minneapolis connected to the administration’s immigration actions. Our union is heartbroken. An AFGE member is dead. And a family’s life has been forever changed.

“While details of the incident are still emerging, one fact is already clear: this tragedy did not happen in a vacuum. It is the direct result of an administration that has chosen reckless policy, inflammatory rhetoric, and manufactured crisis over responsible leadership and de-escalation.

“For months, this administration has pursued immigration actions designed to provoke confrontation rather than solve problems. Their actions have raised tensions in communities across the country while stoking fear, chaos, and division. Federal workers have been placed at the center of this political theater, turned into symbols instead of being treated as the public servants they are. That kind of leadership failure has consequences, making everything more dangerous for the public and law enforcement alike.

“Today, those consequences include the death of an AFGE member."

We at the NSLC sincerely mourn the death of Alex Pretti and will continue to call for justice for those victims of the federal government.

Join Your Local LUCE Hub!

Recent events in Minneapolis and across the country have shown how everyday people are getting organized in their community and making a difference. In Minnesota, ICE-watch activists have been on the frontlines documenting ICE activity and ensuring their local communities are knowledgeable, empowered, and protected. LUCE is the main organization in Massachusetts that documents ICE, alerts the community to the presence of federal law enforcement, and materially supports those families that have been affected by ICE kidnappings.

If you'd like to learn more about potentially volunteering with LUCE, both the Lynn and Salem hubs are each holding a separate information session this Thursday (2/5). Flyers for each event, with the full time and location, are below.

"Out Of The Union Halls & Into The Streets" Education Conference

The Merrimack Valley Central Labor Council is partnering with the North Shore Labor Council to host our annual education conference. This year themed around "Out Of The Union Halls & Into The Streets" we've prepared a series of engaging panels, trainings, and speeches that speaks to the historical moment we're in and the organizing tools we have at our disposal. This event will feature speakers such as Avi Chomsky, Francisco Ramirez Cuellar, Alexandra Pineros Shields, and our special guest Bill Fletcher. Spanish translation and childcare may be available on request. The EdCon will be March 7th at the Greater Lawrence Technical School in Andover. To register, please follow this link.

Women's Committee Planning Session

The North Shore Labor Council Women's Committee had an active 2025 that brought together dedicated women from all over the labor movement. Now, we're working on our plans for 2026! Join the Women's Committee for our first meeting of the year on February 25th where we'll draft a strategic plan outlining our activities for the year. Anyone interested is welcome to come! A flyer for this event is below. Please distribute amongst the women in your own union in case they'd be interested as well! The Women's Committee is a welcoming friendly space that is open to all.

Living Wage Ordinance

In Salem, a "Living Wage" ordinance is being introduced by Councilor Davis that would set a minimum wage for all city employees, as well as contractors / subcontractors that work on publicly funded projects. This ordinance, similar to other ordinances in Boston and Cambridge, helps the lowest paid workers in the city achieve competitive wages with a guaranteed annual adjustments to account for inflation. This ordinance is a great opportunity to support the lowest paid workers of Salem. We encourage everyone to pack the room at the Salem City Council meeting where the ordinance will be introduced. Salem residents are also encouraged to give public testimony in support of the ordinance.
 

Rally To Support Letter Carriers on 2/22

NALC, the union that represents letter carriers at the USPS, is about to enter into national contract bargaining. For years, postal employees have faced long hours, extensive work loads, and leadership that is hostile to the very idea of public mailing. Letter Carriers are the backbone of the USPS, and without them there is no USPS.

For that reason, NALC has called for a national day of action on February 22nd with actions scheduled all over the country. On the north shore, NALC Branch 25 is planning a rally on Feb. 22nd starting at 12pm at the Beverly Commons. Come join us to support your local letter carriers as they fight for better pay, better working conditions, and a USPS that works for everyone!

26th Annual Labor Seder

Hosted by the New England Jewish Labor Committee, the Annual Labor Seder is a unique interfaith and inter-community awards dinner that ties contemporary labor struggles to the stories and rituals of Passover. This year, they are honoring Jessica Tang, President of AFT Massachusetts and founder of the Massachusetts Fight Back Table; they are also honoring Rabbi Barry Dolinger and R. Emily Goldberg Winer of Providence, for their work driving Jewish community support for workers issues, notably the Butler hospital strike.

The Labor Seder will take place on March 22nd at 4:30pm at the IBEW 103 Function Hall in Dorchester. To register for the event, please follow this link.

NSLC

If you'd like to get involved with the North Shore Labor Council or learn more about the labor movement, please contact us at northshorelaborcouncil@gmail.com