NSLC Newsletter March 2025
The North Shore Labor Council is proud to endorse Hannah Bowen for the 6th Essex House Representative seat! Hannah has proven to be a champion of labor rights and a strong advocate for the union movement. She has the full confidence of our Labor Council and the state AFL-CIO.
If you want to support Hannah there will be a canvass this Sunday (3/30) in Beverly. See the flyer below for details. There will also be multiple canvasses and phonebanking events between now and election day. Follow this link for a list of all currently scheduled events: Link to scheduled events for Bowen.
Assault on Public Sector Workers
In an executive order signed late on Thursday night, the Trump administration aimed to end collective bargaining rights for the vast majority of federal workers. The White House says the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 grants them the authority to end collective bargaining agreements if the function of the department or agency involves matters of national security. This has normally only been applied to unions working within the Department of Defense, but this new executive order takes aim at a large swath of agencies such as the Department of the Treasury, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Health and Human Service, the Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Federal Communications Commission, and many many more.
The entire text of the executive order can be read here: Link to EO
The White House summary of the EO can be found here: Link to EO Summary
Despite the White House's claim, this order has nothing to do with national security. The aim of the Trump administration is to blatantly and openly dismantle unions in the U.S. They are starting with the federal public sector unions because the administration has the most direct influence at that level, but in due time they will attempt to dismantle all public and private sector unions in this country. Whether it's through a national right-to-work bill or by simply repealing the National Labor Relations Act and setting us back almost 100 years, the Trump administration aims to hand the billionaire class a gift-basket in the form of widespread union busting.
As the enemies of the labor movement openly attack our right to exist, it's clear is that we are fighting for our very survival. If we do not take radical and decisive action now then the 150+ year old union movement may come to a screeching halt, and all of our hard-fought rights and victories may be washed away with it.
A clearer plan of action will emerge in the coming days, but for now we are urging everyone to mobilize for a national day of action scheduled for April 5th. The details of this event are in the flyer below. We will continue to update you with any further actions to look out for.
Tufts Grad Student Detained
Rumeysa Ozturk, a graduate student at Tufts University and a member of SEIU 509, was recently arrested by ICE agents. The agents wore plain clothes and multiple of them with facemasks as they arrested Ozturk, making the scene appear more as a broad day kidnapping than as a lawful detention. Ozturk was deliberately targeted by ICE for her outspoken criticism of the current presidential administration.
In a statement, SEIU 509 called Ozturk's detention a "part of Homeland Security’s despicable effort to stifle speech by immigrants who express views that Donald Trump and his surrogates simply don’t like." The statement went on to read: "It is intended to send a clear and chilling message that anyone who challenges injustice will be met with retribution. When a student, worker, or any member of our community is punished for exercising their rights, we all suffer, and standing up against these tactics is critical to the strength and integrity of any social movement."
The Massachusetts AFL-CIO also put out a statement calling for swift justice for Ozturk. In their statement they called for: "the courts to find that ICE's detention of Rumeysa Ozturk was unlawful and to order her release without delay. We call on elected officials to use their voices and all legal options at their disposal to end the Trump/Musk Administration's unlawful actions toward immigrants and other vulnerable populations in our communities meant to intimidate people from exercising the First Amendment rights that are bedrock to our Democracy."
Attack on Public Libraries
In a new executive order, President Trump has targeted the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the federal agency charged with distributing Congressionally approved funds to state libraries and to library, museum, and archives program grant recipients. The Executive Order states that IMLS must be reduced to its "statutory functions.” It also requires that “non-statutory components and functions …shall be eliminated to the maximum extent…”.
We are extremely concerned that the wording of this E.O. could result in cuts to the core functions of IMLS. The IMLS’s statutory obligations to state libraries include federal funding through the Grants to States program, the National Leadership Grant program, and all current contracts, grants, and awards. This core work cannot be disrupted or dismantled by DOGE.
There are several ways to get involved and fight back against the assault on public libraries. Library staff unions are asking people to sign petitions, contact key elected officials, write public comments through letters-to-the-editor, and more. You can follow this link with more information about how to get involved: Link to Library Support Page. We will also follow up with more information about how to support libraries at the local level.
Nurses Rally at Beverly Hospital
The North Shore Labor Council recently rallied behind nurses at Beverly Hospital as they picketed for a fair contract. Nurses working at Northeast Hospital Corporation’s (NEHC) Beverly and Addison Gilbert hospitals are fighting for equitable wages, adequate staffing, and an agreement that empowers both care providers and patients at these medical facilities. We hope to see a speedy negotiation process that results in the best deal possible for the nurses of our community.
May Day 2025
Join the North Shore Labor Council and community allies on May 1st, 2025, for a day of action. Not only will we be rallying in the commons, but we'll also be marching on the gates of the GE plant to support IUE Local 201 in their contract struggle against the company. This will be an event that unites the entire north shore under one banner as this increasingly fascist administration reaches its 100th day in office. So join us at 5:30PM in the Lynn Commons on May 1st as we show what a fighting labor movement looks like!
Stand Up Against Elon Musk and Tesla
Protests have erupted all over the country against Elon Musk and his takeover of the federal government. Tesla's stock price and reputation have plummeted amidst the bad press and popular revolt against their brand. We at the NSLC wholly encourage these legitimate protests and encourage our members to take part.
Join us this Saturday (3/29) for a national day of action against Tesla. We'll be rallying at the Tesla dealership at the North Shore Mall (151 Andover Street, Peabody) this Saturday starting at 12pm. Stand up as we make it clear that the north shore is firmly against Elon Musk and his takeover of the government on behalf of the billionaire class.
Workers Memorial Day
Join workers, families, and community leaders for a day of remembering, healing, and action. Take part in a remembrance for those injured and killed in workplace safety incidents. We'll meet on April 28th at 12PM outside the Massachusetts State House in Boston.
Rally to Save Social Security
Join NSLC and the Mass Senior Action Council this upcoming Tuesday April 1st for a rally to save social security from the threats of the Trump administration. There are several actions happening around Mass, but for north shore residents we highly encourage you to attend the rally at 1PM in front of the Lynn Social Security Office (140 Union St, Lynn, MA). We'll see you out there!
