Unions Lead 2,000 Workers at Rally Outside NSTAR HQ
By Cyndi Roy for the State House News Service
       Standing in a drizzly rain outside the company’s Boylston Street headquarters, hundreds of NStar workers, elected officials, and labor leaders rallied to support the 2,000 employees who walked off the job last week.
       From a podium set up a few feet from a giant inflatable rat, Massachusetts
AFL-CIO President Robert Haynes warned NStar chief executive Thomas May workers would not back down from their call for better safety and staffing measures, dental and vision coverage for retirees, and a better pension system for newer workers.
       “Tommy May, wherever the hell you are, you’re in for the fight of your life,” said Haynes, who also used an expletive at the rally while describing how allegedly mean company officials are.
       More than a dozen elected officials turned out in support of the strikers. Secretary of State William Galvin, a potential Democratic candidate for governor, urged “all people of Massachusetts, stand up and stand with” the striking workers.
       “To all the people of Massachusetts, we’ve seen enough,” Galvin said, “I’m very proud to be here today. It’s important for all of us who care about Massachusetts and the families of Massachusetts to show our support.”
       Union leaders called for reform on national issues like health care and worker rights.
       “This is not our fight, this is the people’s fight,” said Cecil Roberts, president of the National United Mine Workers, who drew thunderous applause from the crowd. “It’s time for labor law reform and the end of scabs and replacement workers in America.”
       Nearly two thirds of NStar’s employees went on strike May 16 after contract negotiators failed to reach a compromise on several issues. Workers say the company has cut maintenance staff levels to unsafe levels. NStar officials want employees to work in the afternoon when most blackouts occur.