UHP activists have been working to get the word out to our lawmakers that we're paying attention and are watching for last-minute additions to the state budget that might compromise the integrity of UConn Health as a public institution for the public good.

Want to get involved? Find your lawmwakers and take a minute to call them today!

Congratulations to our UHP members who are recipients of the 2019 Nightingale Awards for Excellence in Nursing! (Photos by UHP members Kristin Wallace and Tina Encarnacion)

During our End Hunger night on October 17, we had over 70 volunteers come to help us pack 10,000 meals.  These meals have been able to feed many of the hungry in our area by way of the following organizations:

• John J. Driscoll United Labor Agency
• AIDS CT
• AGAPE House
• Hillside Community Church Necessities Cupboard
• Salvation Army of Bristol
• East Hartford Food Pantry
• Cheshire Food Pantry
• Plainville 7th Day Adventist Church
• Plainville Food Pantry  
• Bristol Senior Center

We are already raising funds and taking donations to do this again next year. 

--Trisha Faraday, VP for Community Outreach

Pride of the Union 2018 awards

The AFT Pride of the Union awards have for decades recognized local affiliates that make significant strides in membership growth. This year, the AFT has added a new category—"recommits"—honoring locals that already have obtained pledges from 100 percent of members to renew their commitment to membership. Other awardees qualify by posting net membership increases of at least 100 members, or 25 percent, in one of the past two years. The program also honors affiliates with membership levels of at least 90 percent. "We are here because we are 24/7 fighting, caring and showing up," AFT President Randi Weingarten told the winners Thursday afternoon. "And for that I want to say thank you."

• Read more about the program and awardees.

Weingarten lays out a pathway for hope in the darkness

AFT President Randi Weingarten addressed a full convention hall Friday, outlining the fight the union has before it and, more importantly, urging members to find "hope in the darkness" at a crucial juncture for American democracy and Americans' aspirations for a better life. Convention participants followed closely, demonstrating enthusiastic and loud support with standing ovations—for the stories about how AFT members are sticking with their unions in huge numbers, and for the way our collective voice is so much stronger together. They also demonstrated strong support for better immigration policies that are pro-Dreamer, pro-Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals and against migrant family separation.

• Read the full story.
• Watch the full speech.

Our hero and champion, Hillary Clinton

Every two years, the AFT presents the Women's Rights Award to a woman whose vision and courage have raised the game for other women. This year's recipient, Hillary Clinton, is a role model for women in politics, in the workplace and in society as she strives to make our democracy equitable for everyone. "Hillary Clinton has worked not only to make democracy a more equal place for all people," said AFT President Randi Weingarten in presenting the award, "but she has worked so that when the roll call of history is taken, there is no doubt that she will stand tall."

• Watch Hillary's remarks to the delegates.

Sen. Warren lauds union fight, vows support

Calling AFT members the "strongest, hardest working, most dedicated people in this country," Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) told the crowd of convention-goers Saturday afternoon that she is proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with them, and with AFT leadership, in the fight for unions, public workers and justice, and against corporate greed and inequity. She recognized the many battles ahead, but said she has hope because people are rising up, and will continue to rise up, to fight, to vote and to save democracy.

• Watch Sen. Warren's remarks.

Lions of labor, fighting together

Four powerful labor leaders on one stage. That was the treat for AFT activists on Saturday morning. Together with AFT President Randi Weingarten, AFSCME President Lee Saunders, NEA President Lily Eskelsen Garcia and SEIU President Mary Kay Henry provided fiery inspiration for activists to keep caring, fighting and showing up.

• Read and get inspired.

An AFT army marches for school funding

With AFT President Randi Weingarten in the lead, nearly a thousand convention delegates, Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers members, parents, students and community allies took to the streets for the March for Equitable Funding of Public Schools. Weingarten said rallying for school funding "is about showing that we walk the walk for our kids. They are our future, and they will be our salvation." At stops along the route, the crowd heard from speakers who included all three of the AFT's national officers, as well as allies from community and national organizations who are defending public education and school safety. "We're here to stand up for students and staff. Corporations need to be held accountable for their fair share of taxes," Secretary-Treasurer Lorretta Johnson said. Pointing out that school funding still lags behind pre-recession levels in half the states, Weingarten urged marchers to "fight for fair, appropriate and fully funded public education."

• Read more about the rally for school funding.
• View the photo gallery.

A revolution is sweeping the country, Sanders tells delegates

"There is a political revolution sweeping across this country," Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) told convention delegates on Sunday. "Ideas once considered fringe or radical—like healthcare as a right through Medicare for All, and tuition-free college—are now mainstream ideas adopted by the vast majority of Americans, and we are seeing candidates running off of those ideas and winning elections." Delegates heard from Rep. Conor Lamb (D-Pa.) and Randy Bryce, two unconventional politicians hoping to make a difference by focusing on the issues that concern working people.

• Watch Sen. Sanders' remarks.

Top AFT officers are re-elected

• Read more about the elections, including a list of newly elected vice presidents.