opinion
Zero
continued from page 4
school—and out of prison.”
This report bolsters the work Massachusetts community
leaders and advocates are already doing to take action
against harsh one-size-fits-all policies and call for more bal-
anced approaches. Right now, Massachusetts Advocates for
Children (MAC) and the Education Law Task Force are
championing two pieces of legislation to reduce school
exclusion for disciplinary reasons and, by doing so, reduce
school dropouts; improve access to education among stu-
dents excluded from school; and require the state’s
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to
review and respond to school exclusion data. The
Children’s Defense Fund has endorsed both bills. MAC also
is championing a new bill to ensure schools have the sup-
See tolEraNCE on page 7
We honor the many
accomplishments of
African Americans.
It is our primary goal as a labor union to
better the lives of all people working in
the building trades through advocacy,
civil demonstration, and the long-held
belief that workers deserve a "family
wage" - fair pay for an honest day's
work.
A family wage, and the benefits that go
with it, not only strengthens families, but
also allows our communities to become
stronger, more cohesive, and more
responsive to their citizens' needs.
Our family wage agenda reflects our
commitment to people working in the
building trades, and to workers every-
where. In this small way, we are doing
our part to help people achieve the
American Dream. This dream that work-
ers can hold dear regardless of race,
color, national origin, gender, creed, or
religious beliefs.
The Pacific Northwest Regional
Council of Carpenters
Representingmorethan
5.000constructionwork-
ersinOregonState.
Do you want to know
more about becoming
a Union carpenter?
page 6 The Portland Skanner august 10, 2011