Raising Up Workers in Massachusetts

December 3, 2013

Today I was at the Massachusetts State House with Alex Morash, UUSC’s UUs Raise Up Massachusetts organizing consultant, and more than 150 other people from the Raise Up Massachusetts coalition. Together, we dropped off the 281,956 signatures collected to put questions about a higher minimum wage and earned sick time on the Massachusetts ballot in 2014.

This was a historic grassroots campaign for working families. It was made up of 4,795 volunteers across the state, including UUs from 30 cities and towns.

Not only did our efforts result in enough signatures to get these initiatives on the ballot, it also led to the Massachusetts Senate voting to pass legislation that would raise the minimum wage to $11 an hour by 2016 and tie future increases to the cost of living.

We’re celebrating our victories today, but our work for over 1 million workers in Massachusetts is not done yet. We must continue to pressure the state legislature — particularly the House — to enact this legislation. If they fail to act, we will bring our cause straight to the voters of Massachusetts in November 2014.

Thank you to all who have been part of this incredible campaign and in advance for all that you will do to ensure that we pass minimum wage and earned sick time legislation in Massachusetts.