Rock Show Brings
Energy to Worker Center

It was an hour into the second Worker Center of Eastern ME concert at the Solidarity Center, and Belfast experimental rock act Full Contact Kitty had just finished their set. A crowd filled the hall, ready to shout, cheer, dance, and pound their fists in the air. But for the moment, FAM volunteer Mario Moretto held their attention.

"I got involved in Food AND Medicine through coming to these shows," Moretto announced, "and I'm excited to be part of a group that's doing something to fight injustice. You should all get involved in the Worker Center, like I did. I mean, you're all workers." Not every member of Food AND Medicine could have inspired the crowd, but Moretto shares their subculture and way of life, and his words were spoken with extraordinary charisma. After his speech, I overheard someone behind me saying "Maybe I'll come to the meeting on Thursday. I never understood what this place was about before."

The Worker Center, FAM's largest project, aims to confront the decline in membership in traditional labor unions by involving a wider range of people, such as youth and unorganized workers, in the collective fight to better the situation of working families. Since most of the people who attend local rock shows are young, unorganized workers, these events are a great opportunity to spread awareness. In addition, the hall that Food AND Medicine rents from the Eastern Maine Labor Council fills a need for venues in the local music scene.  >> continue reading