Newsletter May 2026
Community Rallies Behind Lynn Mother Facing Deportation
Mariola Perez is a refugee from Guatemala that fled violence in her home country over fifteen years ago. Since then, her and her teenage son have taken up residency in Lynn where Mariola works as a paraprofessional in the public schools. She is also active in her community, being both a member of the Lynn Teacher's Union and a member of the housing justice group Lynn United for Change.
At her last regular check-in meeting with immigration officials, Mariola was informed by immigration officials that she was likely to be detained and deported the next time she came for her check-in. Immediately the community snapped into action. The Lynn Teacher's Union and Lynn United for Change organized petitions, a press conference, and a mothers day vigil all in support of Mariola. At the vigil earlier in May, Mariola told her story about coming to this country and starting a new life. Hundreds of people gathered at Red Rock Park in Lynn to stand in solidarity with her.
Since then, Mariola has had another check-in meeting with immigration officials where she was accompanied by a delegation of dozens of community members. At this meeting, Mariola wasn't detained and instead was allowed to return home to her son. Although this fight isn't over, the rapid response of the community is a model for how immigration defense can look on the north shore.
Energy Justice and Offshore Wind
The NSLC is proud to announce that we're partnering with the Salem Alliance for the Environment (SAFE) to host a series of events across the north shore exploring the role offshore wind plays in a green transition. During this event, we'll be looking at the political motivations behind the federal government's attack on offshore wind energy, including in Massachusetts, and why this attack is happening amidst skyrocketing energy bills. What can working class people do to take our power back and ensure clean and accessible energy for all? What would a commitment to offshore wind energy mean for communities on the north shore? We're excited to discuss all this and more at our event on August 11th at the Lynn Music Foundation! Can't make it on the 11th? Don't worry, because we'll be hosting a similar event in both Salem and Gloucester in the coming months, so be on the lookout for more details to come!
Another Successful May Day
We’re extremely grateful for everyone that took to the streets on May 1st this year. May Day is not only a chance to celebrate our past struggles and all the sacrifices those in the labor movement have taken, but it was also an opportunity to build working-class power. This year, while the labor movement faces an existential threat in the white house, exercising our ability to take to the streets and shut the economy down is more important than ever. Thank you again to everyone that came out!
MA-06 Candidate Forum
On the 19th the NSLC held a forum for the MA-06 congressional race in partnership with the Merrimack Valley Central Labor Council and the New Lynn Coalition. We had all 6 Democratic candidates participating in the forum. With all questions submitted to us by our union partners we were able to ask about the most pressing issues for working class families. In case you missed the event, there’s a live recording that you can watch by clicking this link. Thank you to Lynn Community Television for filming the event!
And a special thank you to all of the candidates that participated: Tram Nguyen, Beth Andres-Beck, Mariah Lancaster, Dan Koh, John Beccia, and Jamie Belsito.
Annual Women’s Breakfast
We’re extremely proud that the NSLC’s Women’s Committee held our first annual breakfast for the first time since 2020! This annual tradition was originally displaced by the pandemic, but thanks to the hard work in everyone in the committee it was a resounding success! The theme of the breakfast was “Women Speaking Up” exploring the ways that women play pivotal roles in unions, community groups, and throughout our society. We’re also extremely proud that this event acted as a fundraiser with all donations proceeding to the LUCE Mutual Aid Fund to assist immigrant families directly impacted by ICE. Thank you to the Women’s Committee, the planning committee that put the event together, and everyone that attended the breakfast! We’ll see you all at next year’s breakfast!
Congrats to Danvers’ Newest School Committee Member Beth Kontos!
Recently NSLC Vice-President Beth Kontos was elected to the Danvers School Committee after a successful election campaign. Beth wears many different hats, but a commitment to public education has been a lifelong mission of hers. Congratulations to Beth and good luck on the School Committee!
NALC National Fundraiser
Thank you to everyone that donated food for the National Letter Carrier Association’s annual food drive! And a special thank you to all the NSLC members that volunteered to help sort and distribute the collected food! Together we raised over 16,000 pounds of food. All goods were put right back into the community through local food banks to address food insecurity right where we live. Together we were able to make a difference!
Contract Rally for Union Letter Carriers
Thank you to all the NSLC members that attended the National Association of Letter Carriers’ rally earlier this month! Letter Carriers are engaged in a national contract negotiation campaign with the US Postal Service where they’re fighting for higher wages, safer conditions, and adequate staffing among other things. The Union and the USPS have been bargaining for months already. The national contract was set to expire in May, but since then both parties have entered into mediation in an attempt to hash out the details. That process will last up to 60 days total. Solidarity to all letter carriers throughout this process and may it end in a strong union contract!
Welcome New Delegates!
During our May Delegates Meeting the NSLC welcomed five new delegates to the Labor Council! Thank you to the Massachusetts Nurses Association, AFT Local 4293, USW Local 12012, 1199 SEIU, and IBEW 2222 for sending new delegates and growing the Labor Council. We couldn't be more happy to have you with us. Welcome brothers and sisters!
