EQUAL TIME is where Vermonters talk about issues ignored by the corporate media—mothers opposing toxic pollution, workers fighting for decent jobs, nurses working for health care reform, students speaking out about their education, farmers struggling against corporate agribusiness, and more.
Eric Blanc, the author of Red State Revolt: The Teachers' Strike Wave and Working-Class Politics, explains the significance of the successful Los Angeles teachers' strike. It wasn't all about wages. At its core, the strike was a fight against a hostile takeover of public schools by the super rich.
Lt. Governor David Zuckerman says we should focus on the challenges that face Working Vermonters. Many Vermonters are not benefiting from the state's economic growth. While the wealthiest have seen their incomes climb dramatically, working class Vermonters' incomes remain flat. We should pass legislation that will ease the struggle for many. Affordability is a coin with two sides: expenses and income.
Seth Ackerman, Jacobin magazine's executive editor, and author of a widely discussed article, A Blueprint for a New Party, argues that the left needs a new approach in order to build a mass, member-controlled, democratic working-class party.
Molly Wallner, a nurse and bargaining committee rep for the Vermont Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals (VFNHP), Local 5221, explains the issues behind the nurses strike and ongoing efforts to win a contract that would address the problem of uncompetitive wages for nurses and support staff that are the root cause of chronic understaffing at the hospital, negatively impacting patient care and leading to burnout, and high levels of turnover at the hos
Laurie Aunchman, President of the Vermont President of the Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals (VFNHP), Local 5221, explains the issues behind the nurses efforts to win a contract that would address the problem of uncompetitive wages for nurses and support staff that are the root cause of chronic understaffing at the hospital, negatively impacting patient care and leading to burnout, and high levels of turnover at the hospital.