“I’ve seen many of my friends drop out of college because they couldn’t go to school and provide for themselves at the same time, or because their parents lost their jobs and could no longer help them through school. My boyfriend is one of these cases. He lives in North Brookfield, an hour away from the nearest community college, and a part time job at this minimum wage will barely cover his gas and car insurance, let alone groceries, phone payments, and other living expenses. He has to make a choice between going to school or surviving, a choice I’ve seen too many of my peers have to make.”- Alex Marceau, Fall River resident.
The Massachusetts Paid Leave Coalition (MPLC) includes over 80 state and local community organizations, labor unions, businesses, doctors, researchers, policy, and data experts working together to educate the public and policy makers about the critical need for access to paid leave for all workers. Our members include diverse organizations throughout Massachusetts working to improve the lives of workers and their families. The goal of our campaign for seven paid sick days is to help low-wage workers stay employed, build assets, and enhance the well-being of their families.
The Raise Up MA coalition has recently held community briefings with 200+ supporters in attendance in New Bedford, Fall River and Dorchester. CSJ taking leads in both New Bedford and Fall River. We’ve also hosted phone banks every tuesday and thursday- reaching out to constituents to call their legislators to support Raise Up MA. CSJ has also met with all legislators in our area. We feel the work on this campaign statewide is growing support, like an avalanche towards social justice.
