ORGANIZING NOTES
January 13, 2025
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The big story of labor and American politics in 2024 was the failure of the Democratic Party to recognize how the rising cost of living affected working class voters, alienating them so much that millions stayed home. Even in Blue Massachusetts, many predominantly working class, historically Democratic cities,like Fall River, the majority of voters favored Trump. Will this pattern be repeated in 2026? Do any 2025 events give us hints?
In early 2025 a campaign was launched to press the State Dems to make a priority of three issues important to families squeezed by the current economy. Many of those who drove this effort are trade unionists and leaders within the AFL-CIO. On the agenda were a raise in the minimum wage, a ban on wage theft, and a substantial increase in the annual taxes companies pay to Massachusetts on profits made overseas. Party leadership (Kerrigan) blocked the introduction of this measure,
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Democratic Party Chairman Steve Kerrigan facing delegate opposition at the Party Convention
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This defeat was quickly followed by the release of a vague 2025 Democratic draft platform, promoted by Chair Kerrigan and Governor Healey, which left out previously included progressive policies and contained no metrics for success. The organizers of the working class issues campaign, immediately began mapping out a strategy to retain the 2021 platform, a document inclusive of many progressive issues, that resulted from hard work four years earlier. Organizing for this was successful and at the Convention thousands of delegates jubilantly defeated the tepid draft and endorsed the retention of the militantly progressive 2021 platform.
Less conspicuous,
but important, are the growing the electoral activities of unionists in several parts of the state. The AFL-CIO unions in the state are organized into regions called District Councils. These correspond to Congressional Districts except in the West where the Western Council extends beyond the edge of CD1.
Most successful is that in several of these districts, most successfully in the North Shore’s 6 Congressional District. The North Shore Labor Council endorsed and campaigned for 25 Council and School Committee candidates in Beverly, Lynn, Peabody, and Salem. 22 won!! The Council also invites local issue-based organizations to hold meetings in the union hall and participates in issue-based campaigns and events, such as May Day. The result is a progressive coalition that has existed for years.
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Delegate Alex Crowley moves the adoption of the 2021 Platform at the Convention
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The success of the North Shore Labor Council indicates what could happen in every district, making the possibility of a state-wide, pro-working class electoral movement a reasonable goal. The Western Labor Council, also aware that labor and community have many priorities in common, is also reaching out to advocacy and community groups to help support progressive political candidates.
Clearly, many conflicting views and goals will need to be worked out to achieve this. 2026 is too young to tell us how the political landscape will evolve. What is important is that there are strands of new labor activism. We will need to recognize the best approaches and help them grow.
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Highlighting Labor Heroes in the new year! Please let us know of any Labor Hero you would like seen highlighted in future Organizing Notes!
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Judy Ancel is a founder and Organizing Co-Chair of Kansas City Jobs with Justice. She is President of the Board of Directors of The Cross Border Network for Justice and Solidarity, a non-profit organization that develops ties and mutual understanding between working people in the Kansas City area and workers in Mexico and Central America. Its motto is: We support workers across borders and workers who cross borders. Judy hosts the Heartland Labor Forum covering issues for working people from the local to the international including labor organizing and law, economic justice and human rights. Heartland Labor Forum is part of the Labor Radio Podcast a Network that allow workers, union members, leaders and activists to speak out and demand better treatment from their workplaces and their elected officials
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Let your legislators know you want them to support using the State Rainy Day Fund to cover the shortfalls caused by Federal cutbacks, pass legislation ensuring large multi-national corporations pay their Fair share and opt out of regressive tax cuts in the Big Ugly Bill. 🤳 Sample Phone and Email Script I’ve been horrified to see federal cuts to SNAP and health care access, and I’m really concerned about our families who rely on MassHealth, SNAP, and other essential programs. MA needs to fight back and protect our essential services. We can do this by using the rainy day fund, ensuring that large multinational corporations pay their fair share (as in bills H.3110 and S.2033), and opting out of the regressive, costly tax cuts in the Big Ugly Bill.
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Here is a link to reach out to your legislator to urge action on the Safe Communities Act (H.2580/S.1681) and Dignity Not Deportations Act (H.1588/S.1122), to update and fortify our state laws with respect to interactions with ICE: TELL YOUR LEGISLATOR: STATE ACTION TO STOP ICE>>
Here is the correct link to urge your legislator to take action to decouple the state’s tax code from the “Big Beautiful Bill” so that we don’t lose billions next year to tax cuts for billionaires: TELL YOUR STATE REPS: REJECT TRUMP’S TAX CUTS>>
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We will gather on Friday, January 16, 2026, from Noon to 1:30pm at the Parkman Bandstand on the Boston Common, where Dr. King once spoke to spread his message of peace, unity, and racial justice. The event will be emceed by Java with Jimmy radio host James Hills. Folks can register for this event at this link.
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Local Visibilities Schedule
Watch for weather and wind chill cancellations here! But another good way to keep up with day to day and weekly changes is to join a Signal Group
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Tell Beacon Hill: Just say NO to Trump’s Regressive Corporate Tax Cuts
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We hope that the Massachusetts House of Representatives will soon begin debate on the bill. And we need you to take action ASAP! Contact your State Representative TODAY at this link and urge them to support this critically needed legislation! Let’s get it passed in the House and sent to the Governor’s desk!
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Folks can sign up for De-ICE Hanscom’s contact list at this link.
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No Fear Street Theater stands out on Burlington Mall Road every Saturday from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm with signs, costumes, and flags to show support for our immigrant neighbors. We are not there merely to make propaganda against ICE. We are there to make propaganda against fear. This is a creative, participatory protest. If you support immigrants and their constitutional rights, join us! Let them know it’s Chirstmas time at ICE! Caroling & Yuletide readings – English & Spanish, Dec. 22-24th! Sign Up HERE
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If you would like to work with ORMA Members on
- Climate Change
- Housing Justice
- Medicare for All
- Communications/InformationTechnology
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Please send requests for action items, articles or upcoming events
for the next Organizing Notes to
beccobrien.orma@gmail.com by Saturday, January 24th.
We’d love to have you send us your favorite pictures of Bernie here in MA!
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Campaigns End, Movements Endure
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