Entries by nejbadmin

Polartec is in trouble. Here’s a strategy that could save it

Its Polarfleece fabric, invented in 1979, was named one of the 20th Century’s Greatest Inventions by Time Magazine.But Polartecfaces an uncertain future. The company, then known as Malden Mills, grew rapidly in the 1980s and early 1990s as the US military and the world’s leading brands of outdoor, athletic, and aerobic apparel discovered Polartec fabric […]

NEJB Stands in Solidarity with Striking Verizon Workers

The New England Joint Board UNITE HERE stands in solidarity with the 40,000 members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the Communications Workers of America at Verizon in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region who have been on strike since mid-April.   After almost a year’s worth of negotiations Verizon has refused to offer […]

These Workers Are Fighting To Keep Your North Face Jacket From Being Made for Poverty Wages

When Saudia Durrant approached the manager at an REI store in Manhattan earlier this month to explain that Polartec, the company that makes much of the fabric that REI uses in their products, was closing their flagship production facility in Lawrence, Massachusetts, the manager listened attentively. “I let her know that we’re there to represent […]

Polartec Workers Protest Fenway Snowboarding Event

Polartec workers and supporters protested Thursday evening at the Big Air at Fenway competition, a freeskiing and snowboarding event sponsored by their employer. The workers were speaking out against the textile manufacturer’s decision to close its plant in Lawrence, leaving nearly 350 people without jobs, according to the Unite Here New England Joint Board, the […]

New England Joint Board Endorses Bernie Sanders for President

Statement from Bert Barao, President of New England Joint Board UNITE HERE and tailor at Macy’s Department Store.   “Today I am proud to announce that the rank and file leaders of the Executive Board of the New England Joint Board UNITE HERE have unanimously voted to endorse Bernie Sanders for President of the United […]

Workers Outraged After Company Announces Closing

LAWRENCE, MA – Polartec, one of the largest private employers in the city, announced on Thursday that it will be moving manufacturing out of Lawrence over the next 18 months affecting nearly 350 unionized workers. In a union membership meeting of Local 311 of the New England Joint Board UNITE HERE, workers expressed their outrage […]

Statement from Warren Pepicelli, Manager of New England Joint Board UNITE HERE, on Polartec’s decision to move manufacturing out of Lawrence, MA

LAWRENCE, MA – The following is the statement of Warren Pepicelli, Manager of the New England Joint Board UNITE HERE, the union representing nearly 350 workers employed by Polartec, LLC following the company’s decision to move manufacturing out of Lawrence.   “In 1995 the world’s eye was focused on Lawrence and the CEO who put […]

130 More Sodexo Workers Join NEJB

On Wednesday, October 21st, 130 Westfield State was officially recognized as a union shop with NEJB UNITE HERE. Since earlier this year, workers at WSU were eager to organize for respect and a voice on the job. They quickly formed a 15-person organizing committee, recruiting their coworkers from across the Dining Commons and 7 retail […]

Hotel Northampton Workers Seek to Join NEJB

More than two-thirds of the workers at Hotel Northampton want to unionize — and on Tuesday night they marched through downtown to deliver that message to hotel management. The hotel workers, including servers, cooks, housekeepers and maintenance staff, have been organizing over the last year with the help of the New England Joint Board, Unite […]

Southwick Workers Win Strong New Contract

After nearly 6 months of negotiating NEJB members at Southwick Clothing in Haverhill, MA have ratified a new contract providing strong wage increases and good benefits. The nearly 400 skilled garment workers making high-end clothing for Brooks Brothers and other major retailers voted overwhelmingly to approve their new 3 year contract. After months of fighting, holding […]