Peter Fousek and Cameron Harrison at People’s World report the struggle over who controls the roof over a Worker’s head erupted into open confrontation on the steps of New Haven, Connecticut’s City Hall, as a newly formed Public Tenants Union at Sunset Ridge Apartments faced down a landlord-backed “counter-demonstration.” The response by the landlord, Capital Reality - which included counter-protestors, police presence and a Union-Busting Law Firm, highlights the growing battle between Private Equity and Working-Class renters in a National Tenant Organizing Drive. The action places these Sunset Ridge tenants on the front lines of a groundbreaking, multi-State campaign that is demonstrating to the Working Class how to build grassroots power to challenge corporate landlords. The Tenant Union Federation (TUF) now represents more than 1,000 households that are collectively demanding accountability from Capital Realty Principals Moshe Eichler and Sam Horowitz, whose firm owns a staggering 14,000 units of Federally-subsidized housing across 28 States. The press conference, which featured supportive remarks from New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker who affirmed the Tenants’ right to organize, was nearly concluded when it was interrupted by a group of 10 individuals led by Alejandro De Frutos, a New York resident and landlord. De Frutos, clad in a designer jacket retailing for over $2,000, claimed inconsistently to be a Sunset Ridge tenant and declared himself “the organizer” of an opposition group. The scene laid bare the tactics of the landlords and the Capitalist Class. De Frutos, alternating between hurling ad-hominem attacks and blasting an emergency siren through a megaphone, was flanked by individuals holding color-printed signs with allegations against CTTU leaders. Many in his group appeared confused about their role as some wandered off before the confrontation ended.

To Continue Reading This Labor News Report, Go To: Tenants confront landlord disruption as they continue unionization drive – People's World