WMLA

WMLA was founded in 1974. As Berkshire County confronted widespread job losses and falling incomes, many residents saw that direct services or poverty programs, while alleviating some symptoms of poverty, were not addressing the root causes of the problems faced by working people.

Additionally, workers experiencing the worst economic conditions had the least access to any kind of organized effort for change, due to their precarious circumstances and the restrictions of federal labor laws.

A group of these residents—low-income workers and friends of labor alike—decided to launch a new strategy for labor that could unite workers from the bottom up to fight for change.

Many who joined the original WMLA organizing committee came from the ranks of Berkshire County’s seasonal and service workers themselves. Others had experience in direct service organizations or civil rights groups.

Out of the organizing committee, a cadre of volunteers began Western Massachusetts Labor Action’s membership drive and benefit program in Adams, where the association opened its first storefront office on Spring Street in 1976. An initial program of five benefits, since expanded to 11, was built by members and other community volunteers and publicized to the low-income worker communities through a mass canvass program.

In 1978, WMLA moved its office to Columbus Avenue in Pittsfield to better facilitate countywide operations.

WMLA is 100% volunteer run, and as a matter of policy maintains independence from government funding or any other funding with strings attached.

WMLA currently endorses no programmatic solution to the host of problems now surrounding the service work and labor situation in Western Massachusetts. As the organization continues to grow, we believe that service workers and other low-income workers themselves—whether working full-time, part-time, temporary, out of a job, disabled or aged—will be placed in a better position to judge both their needs and the methods by which these needs can be satisfied.