Massachusetts Workers need a Higher Minimum Wage and Paid Sick Time! We're Half Way Through Second Round of Petitioning  Thanks to those who have already signed up to help complete the goal. A higher minimum wage and the right to earned sick days are basic parts of a social justice agenda. Join the Massachusetts Peace Action team supporting Raise Up Massachusetts! Massachusetts Peace Action joins close to 100 other community organizations engaged in the struggle for economic and socail justice.  Massachusetts Peace Action is proud that we helped gather the 285,000 signatures in phase 1 of the campaign. Many of us also called and wrote our Representatives in phase 2 of the campaign as the Massachusetts House of Representatives debated the issue.  We have also been helping to collect signatures in the second round but we have only half the time left and more than half of the signatures required still to collect. By June 18 we need to collect roughly 11,000 valid signatures of registered voters on each petition, in order to be able to put the measures on the state ballot this November.  Fullfilling this requirement is also the best way to put pressure on the Massachusetts legislature to pass an acceptable minimum wage bill through the Conference Committee process now underway. There are several good opportunities for signature collection in the next week: Wake Up Raise Up Transit Thursday Signature Gathering -- Thursday (tomorrow) at 7am! On Thursday (June 5th)  we're going to do a statewide wake up Raise Up bright and early at T stop and bus stations We will also collect signatures during the afternoon rush. . Click here to sign up on a spreadsheet for both T and  bus locations. The first tab is "T/Commuter Rail" and the second is "Bus Stop".  Using this spreadsheet  will prevent us from duplicating coverage at these locations. Cambridge River Fest - Mass Peace Action Table -- Saturday, June 7 from 12 noon to 6 pm at University Park on Sidney Street. Typically thousands visit the Cambridge River Fest, being held this year near Central Squrare because of road repair along the river where it is usually held. In addition to collecting Raise Up petitions, Peace Action will be introducing our work to the broader community and collecting signatures on an anti-nuclear petitions. Click here to find out more about the Cambridge River Fest Outreach. Farmers Markets - During this time of year, many communities have frequent and well attended out door farmers markets which are popular with local residents and often excellent places to collect signatures. Boston takes the lead with 15 different markets spread throughout the city, Cambridge has a farmer's market every day moving around the city, Newton has markets at two different locations. It would really pay to locate the Farmers' Markets in your community as a location for collection. Movie Theaters, Book Stores, Grocery Stores, There are many potential places to gather signature, but we all need to do our part to try to make sure we get the number to insure a place on the ballot for an increased minimum wage and the right to earned sick days. Please choose one of the opportunities above and add your energy to our effort to win an increased Minimum Wage and Earned Sick time. Contact Massachusetts Peace Action or stop by our offices if you do not have petition blanks and need them. Click here to find out more about the Raise Up MA campaign to raise the minimum wage and establish earned paid sick days.  Together we will make this happen! In solidarity, John Ratliff Massachusetts Peace Action Economic Justice Coordinator