Left-wing political activism has been a central part of my life since roughly 1964, beginning with a boycott of New York City public schools to protest de facto racial segregation. I was active in the anti-Vietnam war movement and many other causes for the next decade before putting much of my focus on labor organizing. My passion has been where the labor movement and other movements for social justice intersect. Many of my papers have been donated to the UMass Amherst archives. Follow the link and see how the archivist has written about me and catalogued my donations.
Here is where you can see what I am involved with now.
The Life, Laughs and Lessons of a Socialist Union Organizer (the first 20 years, followed by 25 more) - some (hopefully) entertaining highlights of working and organizing at Mt. Auburn Hospital, Boston University and the University of Massachusetts.
Union Organizing at Boston University - I was one of the leaders of District 65/UAW at B.U. from 1979 to 1989 and periodically wrote analyses of what was happening, the union's strengths and weaknesses, and suggested directions. These are collected here.
A Decade of Success: PSU’s First Ten Years at UMass I documented the dramatic improvements in thousands of members' work lives that came about relatively soon after UMass professional staff in Amherst and Boston voted to unionize
How and Why SEIU Lost 2,300 Members at the University of Massachusetts
I was at the center of this struggle for maintaining the democratic character of the union as SEIU reorganized its locals in Massachusetts in 2003. This detailed history puts a major loss for SEIU in a national context while highlighting the specific reasons why these workers decided to switch unions, and the different options they pursued.
Permanent Restraining Order Against MIT - a speech I wrote for the November Action Coalition (1969 or 1970) which Mike Albert delivered.
History of Transfusion - a Boston area socialist hospital workers organization in the 1970's. This detailed history (written collectively) gives good insights into the non-sectarian left of the time.
Syllabus for Organizing class I taught at the UMass Labor Center (2014)
Skit for action May 2017 at state pension fund board about fossil fuel divestment (co-written with Darcy Dumont)
Review of Climate Crisis and the Global Green New Deal by Noam Chomsky and Robert Pollin
published in Montague Reporter 11/19/20 and in NEW SOLUTIONS: A Journal of Environmental and Occupational Health Policy
Video of a "PSU Lunch and Learn" where I presented and led a discussion about labor and climate October 2023
A 2025 interview with Greenfield Community TV about Franklin County Continuing the Political Revolution (FCCPR)
Some of my first few leaflets:
My first leaflet (USSR:Czechoslovakia = USA:Vietnam 1968)- crazy how with just a few changes it could be apropos today with Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
H. E. Harris Stamp Company - newsletter 1969 In response to the insipid company newsletter
Leaflet at pre-induction physical, 1969, Boston Army Base. See here for my experiences with the draft.
And one of my all-time favorites: Somerville HS Final Exam - early 1970's - each leaflet rolled up and tied with a bow to resemble a diploma. Handed out outside Somerville high school graduation. Kids loved it and came up asking for more. Parents got really pissed. Cops came, chased us away and at one point pointed a gun at us.