To the Workers of Waterbury
Note: posts by individual GMDSA members do not necessarily reflect the views of the broader membership or of its leadership and should not be regarded as official statements by the chapter.
Photo Credit: Coldwell Banker, Hickok & Boardman
This article originally appeared on https://organizethis.substack.com/
Working people of Waterbury,
I arrived in Waterbury homeless. I got a restaurant job and worked as much as I could and as long as I could to stack enough cash to get a dump apartment renting from Joe Handy with the caveat of a terrible roommate. In the years that elapsed post-homelessness, I worked hard, got my feet under me and became a contributing member of the community, with a halfway decent living situation. That situation turned sour when my landlord booted myself and my former partner out of our downtown apartment to make way for an Airbnb. That moment set off a years-long chain of events that would push me to run for Select Board on a platform of working class struggle and affordability and by the faith vested in me by the community, I won.
In the 3 years I spent on Waterbury’s Select Board I tried to prevent working people from being forced out of this town by greedy landlords, short term rental owners and bad bosses. I tried to call attention to the plight of the service industry and hospitality workers whose wages had long since failed to keep up with the rising cost of housing. I tried to create a system where the municipal government would fund the construction of affordable apartments for working people, I proposed capping short term rentals, I proposed limiting down-payments on apartments and finally, I lobbied the other members of the select board to enter into a purchase agreement with the state so that a large developer could build much needed housing to alleviate the pressure on what’s left of Waterbury’s working class. All of these attempts were failures. There has been no relief for struggling working people in Waterbury.
Since leaving the Select Board, I’ve done some much needed reflecting. If you know me at all, you know that means staring at bodies of water in silent contemplation and calling it fishing. During one of these moments of silent contemplation I came to the realization that one working class individual serving in government won’t change a damn thing. The opposition is too entrenched, too bought-in, too set in their ways and too powerful for one person to face on their own. But hey, I gave it my best shot.
If service and hospitality workers, factory workers and teachers in this town want any real change, there is only one way that they’re going to get it — and that’s organizing. Organizing labor unions, organizing tenant unions and organizing community meetings. It will take all of you — all of us, to hit back at a system that so very clearly takes advantage of you, leaving you out in the cold. I’m not talking about Trump or the Governor or the federal government, or even Elon Musk. I’m talking about your boss and your landlord. I’m talking about Waterbury’s wannabe ruling class. People whose decisions impact your life every single day.
For years your boss has kept your wages low and your landlord has kept your rent high and it's only ever gotten worse. You know it because you’ve been living it. Your friends live it, your coworkers live it and your neighbors live it. This town’s entire economy runs because of your sweat, because of your stress and because of your time. Now, with the local option tax, the town gets a cut of your sweat, stress and time too. We’re being squeezed and we’re all running out of juice. That tax was proposed as a means to build affordable housing and fix Waterbury’s aging infrastructure. It has not lived up to its promised goals.
Paycheck-to-paycheck didn’t cut it years ago and it definitely doesn’t cut it now. You cater to tourists, guests and customers day in and day out just to have your hours slashed in stick season or have your boss’ buddy get the raise that you’ve worked so hard for. Instead of giving you a cost of living adjustment, your boss’ restaurant group opens a new restaurant or buys a brewery instead. You get that letter from your landlord that says that rent is going up again right after you just had to fork over hundreds to get your car to pass inspection. You skip this week's grocery trip because you’re obligated in your lease to pay for heat in an apartment with century old insulation. It’s just not sustainable anymore nor has it ever been.
The only way to stare down this machine and bargain for a better Waterbury is to do it together. Where I failed alone, we can succeed together. United we bargain but divided we beg — and we’re all tired of begging. We’re tired of begging for rent relief and we’re tired of begging for raises - and we will beg no more. It’s up to you to talk to your coworkers and talk to your neighbors about organizing. You won't be alone and you won’t fail. There are many of us who will stand behind you.
For those of you who are teachers, talk to your fellow union members about supporting candidates for School Board and Select Board who actually understand your struggles and your plight.
For those of you in factories, service or hospitality, talk to your coworkers about organizing labor unions in your work places. There are more of you than there are bosses to stop you and if enough of you have had enough of meager earnings and exorbitant rent and if we all can stick together, you will win better pay, benefits, working conditions and affordability.
If you rent, talk to your neighbors about forming tenant unions and create renters committees who can relentlessly hound the Select Board until they actually work up the backbone to do something about the local affordability crisis.
If your coworker or neighbor approaches you about starting a union, listen and participate. Sign a petition, sign a union card, or take the lead. It doesn’t matter how you organize. It just matters that you organize. Your friends, coworkers and neighbors are your strength because a rising tide lifts all boats and there is no better time than right now.
Always remember, there is no economy without working people. There is no economy without you. It’s time that you get treated that way.
