Dedham Democrats to hold Labor Movement Presentation

On Tuesday, January 25, at 7 p.m., the Dedham Democratic Town Committee, in partnership with the Norwood, Walpole and Westwood Democratic Town Committees, will host a Zoom event, Labor 2022: Call to Action - Challenges and Opportunities for Organized Labor

The last two years have made it abundantly clear that we have to do more to protect and support the front-line workers who ensure our economy and society run.

Join the DDTC for a lively discussion with the labor community about how we all can work toward a stronger, more equitable Massachusetts.

The event will feature a keynote address by Steven Tolman, President of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO. Mr. Tolman started his career on the railroad, and five years later he was elected to his first union office, Local Chairman of the Brotherhood of Railway and Airline Clerks. After 23 years working for Amtrak and remaining active in the Transportation Communications Union/ International Association of Machinists, Steven was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1994. Four years later, he was elected to the Massachusetts Senate where he served seven terms. Senator Tolman was one of the Legislature’s leading voices for working families. He was Assistant Majority Leader when he resigned to become President of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO in 2011.

Following the keynote will be a panel discussion, moderated by DDTC Chair Mark Reilly. Panelists include:

FayeRuth Fisher: Ms. Fisher is currently the Massachusetts Political Director for 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, a union of more than 420,000 healthcare workers across the East Coast and 75,000 healthcare workers in Massachusetts. She has been working in politics and legislative advocacy for more than 20 years with a passion for empowering communities, and is the current President of the SEIU Massachusetts State Council.

Gabriel Camacho: Mr. Camacho is the Political Director of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1445, which represents workers in supermarkets, meat packing, industrial laundries, food delivery, non-food retail, and warehousing. Previously, he was the Immigration Programs Coordinator for the American Friends Service Committee. He has served on numerous boards including United for a Fair Economy, the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, and the Massachusetts American Civil Liberties Union.

Jonathan Paz: Mr. Paz is the Organizing Director for the Coalition to Protect Workers' Rights. He is also Waltham's Ward 9 City Councilor. Boston born and Waltham raised, he unseated a 30-year incumbent by running a grassroots campaign that prioritized working families. He is an experienced union representative having worked at both public and private sector unions, including SEIU Local 888 and most recently, SEIU CIR where he supported medical residents and fellows throughout the pandemic at Boston Medical Center and Cambridge Hospital.

Paul McClory: Mr. McClory directs the Grassroots Division at the Massachusetts Teachers Association, working with educators and public education supporters on ongoing public education campaigns, elections, and organizing initiatives across Massachusetts and beyond. He is a member of the Democratic State Committee from the 5th Middlesex District. Prior to MTA, Paul worked on both campaigns and in official roles for US Senator Ed Markey and US Representative Katherine Clark.

Issues to be discussed will include the upcoming gig worker ballot question, the Fair Share Amendment, and legislation to protect injured workers in Massachusetts. The event will also provide some concrete actions participants can take to further these efforts.

This event will be held only via Zoom and pre-registration is required in order to receive the link. Pre-register at: tinyurl.com/Labor2022 We hope you will join us!

The DDTC is the official organization of the Democratic Party in Dedham, and is the local wing of the Massachusetts Democratic Party. For more information or to be added to the DDTC email list to stay informed about future events and activities, email DedhamDemCommittee@gmail.com.