Human life is sacred. Everyone is born worthy of dignity and respect. These values are at the base of my community organizing work. Like roots, basic human rights values feed the possibility of a world that includes everyone and treats everyone – in all places, of all cultures, and of all ages – with dignity and respect.

• This site is about my work in new media, community organizing, and strategic consulting. To learn more about my work in early childhood education visit my website: Tom Kertes.

Get Heard to Build Power from the Roots Up

We work together to build power from the roots up, ensuring that everyone is included in communities centred on our values. Working effectively includes knowing how to get heard and be remembered. Using the power of narrative, social and economic justice organizers become effective communicators, building movements capable of ensuring universal dignity. every

Working effectively includes knowing how to get heard and be remembered. Using the power of narrative, social and economic justice organizers become effective communicators, building movements capable of ensuring universal dignity.

Highlights of My Work with the United Workers (2004-10)

Living Wages Hunger Strike at Camden Yards

The Living Wages Hunger Strike at Camden Yards was postponed because on the eve of a worker imposed deadline Maryland’s Governor reversed course and backed worker demands for a living wage at the stadium. The press conference announcing the change in plans was attended by the Mayor of Baltimore and was covered by all local news stations.

We announced a few weeks before the Sept 1, 2007 deadline for a living wage that 11 workers and 11 allies would go on hunger strike if the demand for a living wage was not met. The marked the culmination of a three year long struggle for living wages at Camden Yards.

Leadership Development

At the heart of the United Workers was its commitment to leadership development. In the above photograph members are preparing to protest another broken promise by their employer. Unity circles provided space for reflection and expression by members.

At the Staying on Track Retreat (during the summer of 2006) we regrouped following a major setback during the summer of 2006. It was during this retreat that plans for the Living Wage Hunger Strike were first laid out. We spent the next year preparing for the August 2007 announcement.

I worked closely with members of the media and communications team as we developed our messaging strategy together.