******************************* NP Online News -- June 19, 1997 ******************************* Below is our "June 1997 Update." We apologize for the lack of regular postings to the list, largely due to technical problems which have now been worked out. We plan to proceed with bi-weekly postings, with one generally being an update/news piece and the other an interesting background article or story that relates to the work we do. Meanwhile, as you wait for the next posting, check out our Web site at http://www.newparty.org. And if you haven't joined yet, call us at 1-800-200-1294. Thanks again to those who have sent in new addresses -- our list has quickly grown to 3000 names. We encourage you to continue send us whatever names you can, whether it's 10, 100, or 1000. We'll send them a message describing NP-Build and ask them to subscribe. Every little bit counts, and this is an extremely inexpensive way for us to get the word out about our work. Onward and upward... **June 1997 Update** Progressive Milwaukee/NP Wins 3rd Living Wage Fight Progressive Milwaukee/NP continues to lead the way in the national living wage campaign, winning a county-wide living wage ordinance. This follows victories over the last year at the school and city level. The policy sets a $6.26/hour wage floor for contracted janitors, unarmed security guards, and parking lot attendants, and indexes the wage to the prevailing wage (the wage for unionized county employees). The ordinance also sets a $6.25/hour goal for future contracts in other areas. "This is a victory for workers and the community," said SEIU member Richard Berghofer. "It's a real first step towards getting people out of poverty. " Little Rock New Party Wins Police Accountability Ordinance After a four month campaign by the Little Rock New Party, the City Board passed a police accountability ordinance that requires the police chief to report bimonthly to the Board to answer questions regarding the use of force, complaints against the police, department hiring and promotion practices, and other public concerns. The ordinance was pushed by newly elected City Director Paul Kelly, a New Party member. The campaign began as a response to the controversial killing of three African-American men in December and January. The chapter will continue to press to end the institutional racism in the police department and hold the police accountable to Little Rock's neighborhoods. Progressive Dane/NP Members Elected to Leadership Posts Progressive Dane/NP continues to build political power post-election, as two PD/NP elected officials won key leadership positions this Spring. Alder Jean MacCubbin was elected president of the Madison City Council, and School Board member Juan Jose Lopez was elected President of the Madison School Board. Key Unions Affiliate With Progressive Montgomery/NP, Chicago New Party There's no movement more important to our work than the labor movement. Which is why local New Party chapters are keen to recruit unions as "organizational affiliates." Several key unions joined the New Party this spring: Montgomery County Education Association/NEA and Montgomery County Government Employees Union/UFCW in Montgomery County, MD, and Teamsters Local 705 in Chicago. Other unions affiliated with New Party chapters include AFSCME Local 994 and SEIU Local 100 in Little Rock, SEIU Local 880 in Chicago, SEIU Local 100 in Houston, and the Houston Federation of Teachers. New Organizing in Houston, Portland It's a big country, but we continue to move across it. The New Party is making some inroads out west, with new organizing this spring and summer in Houston and Portland (OR). In Houston, leaders from Houston ACORN, the Houston Federation of Teachers, NOW, UFCW, AFSCME, the local plumbers unions, the Houston Central Labor Council, and the Bertha-Capen Society (a progressive social workers organization) have formed an organizing committee to build Progressive Houston/New Party and are targeting school board and possibly city council races this fall. In Portland, leaders from the Rainbow Coalition, Jobs With Justice, Oregon Public Employees Union, and Sierra Club have formed a New Party Exploratory Committee to begin building the New Party in Portland. Bronx New Party Member Runs for City Council The Bronx Democratic machine runs most elections with no opposition, leaving elected officials more accountable to party hacks than neighborhood residents. Over the last four months, the New Party has worked with several community organizations to build an independent political organization in the South Bronx. One of our leaders -- Luis De Jesus -- is ready to challenge the machine and run for city council in district 17, which includes Mott Haven and parts of several other neighborhoods. Luis, a sincere and charismatic 27 year-old, has turned his life around since being arrested six years ago. He is the president of his tenants association and has led successful actions to win needed repairs. As a Bronx ACORN leader he has fought to expose discrimination against minority children and families in the schools, and to require that the local housing authority use companies that hire community residents.
