On Wednesday, January 29th, 2025, Connecticut DSA’s Labor Working Group gathered at New Britain’s “Assembly Room” for their first Labor Happy Hour of the year. The Assembly Room looks more upscale at the outset with a chic white façade and a 20s style bar, but the prices are much more modest. Fitting for the working-class muckraker who wants to be ethical while still enjoying life’s comforts.
It’s a lively gathering of state activists looking to connect over drinks, pizza, and tacos. Ruby C, Chair of the Labor Working Group, has prepared a Bingo-board as a conversation starter. The squares include, “Talk to someone who has… ‘joined a union, then ask them what it is’, ’salted’, ‘felt good about quitting their job’ or ’gotten into a fight with their boss’.”
I wander around for an inordinate amount of time looking for someone who has actually been on strike to complete my vertical. My quest introduces me to a few old guards who’ve been organizing for a long time, and some fresh faces from Wesleyan University primarily, eager to get involved. It’s a good mix of people. Everyone’s willing to talk shop. I regale whomever will listen about workplace horror stories – bad bosses and being underpaid or sometimes not at all. I try to keep it light (it is “happy hour” after all), so I omit the ones about unsanitary working conditions.
There are more than a few keffiyehs in the crowd, too. Knowing unionists, their minds are on the big, collective picture, and not just the local affairs. Two weeks after the ceasefire, everyone’s still a bit on edge about how things will turn out in Gaza, as well as our home turf. One comrade goes on an extended diatribe rebuking the US military-industrial complex. He’s a veteran of Afghanistan and probably wins the “worst workplace” award. He’s got plenty of choice remarks for Israel as well, let it be known. Connecticut’s a famous supplier for their war machine.
And really, that sort of energy has been 2025 so far. Everyone’s gathering, getting ready to dig in and do the work. No one’s got any idea how the year is going to play out, just that we’re ready to throw down. But that’s why we organize – to be ready. So, whatever comes our way in 2025, remember to organize, unionize, assemble, prepare, and don’t forget to enjoy the cheap drinks, tacos, and pizza while you do.
By Guy McMann (pseudonym)
