In Brattleboro, about 250 people marched to demand Vermont's two U.S. senators call for a ceasefire in Gaza. The march was on November 18. "Israel is the largest beneficiary of U.S. military and foreign aid: $3.8 billion a year. A bill in congress would send another $14.3 billion to Israel this year," march organizer Dan DeWalt told the Valley Post. The below photo shows the march. To enlarge the photo, click on it then scroll down and click, “See full size image.” photo by Eesha Williams

***********

In Northampton, about 600 hospital workers won raises by holding rallies. A union contract was approved by the workers on November 11. Wendy Morin is a patient care technician (PCT) at Cooley Dickinson. She said, “We fought hard to have racial justice language included in our contract, while management tried to downplay its necessity and have it removed. I’m proud to say that we were able to keep that in.” PCTs work under the supervision of a nurse, doctor, or other health professional to provide care to patients. The workers have a web site at www.1199seiu.org.

***********

People from the Pioneer Valley were among about 300 people at a rally at the Massachusetts statehouse on November 20. “We need the legislature to do its job,” said union member Kelly Abreu. She is a worker at Worcester state hospital. “We are not interested in excuses. We are not interested in watching legislative leaders play the blame game and point fingers at each other. We view this as everyone’s responsibility, Democrats and Republicans alike, from the first-term legislators to the member with the most seniority.” The rally was to call on the state to give raises to its workers. One of the unions that organized the rally has a web site at www.MassTeacher.org.