Workers Will Make the Difference in Local Elections
Working families begin canvassing and phone banking operations at 9AM April 8th in the parking lot at 1408 N Washington. Everybody invited!
If the old samo-samo is OK with you, just sit back and let the Dallas City Elections happen; but if you want something better, get with the AFL-CIO. Labor’s carefully chosen candidates will benefit as we rally all union forces for the May 6th election.
[caption caption="Councilman Philip Kingston marches with labor"]
Make a Difference on the Issues
Labor’s candidate for District 14, Philip Kingston, clarified the issues when he spoke to the Dallas Chapter of the Texas Alliance for Retired Americans Educational Fund on April 5. Click here for the video. Kingston said he emphasizes improving lives here, but “I have had to develop quite a career of stopping corruption.” He said he was proud to have helped stop the effort to give away Fair Park and a half billion dollars.
On the crisis in pension funding for police and firefighters, Kingston said, “The mayor’s plan for clawing that back from the widows and orphans of the firefighters and police is cartoon villain type scheme. I think it is illegal and immoral.”
He was proud to have helped get rest breaks for construction workers and a living wage for contractors and Love Field employees, but he also took pride in helping to stop a monopoly in taxi service and gas drilling in public parks. “Some of the things I’m proudest of have been partnerships with labor,” Kingston said. “It has been my joy to work with labor on these issues because labor is such a powerful advocate for the rights of people.” Kingston applauded collective bargaining as the best way to respect individual liberty.
“It is working people in Dallas who are under the most threat right now. We do a terrific job in taking care of millionaires,” the candidate said. “I will tell you that there is a shadowy group of highly moneyed interests from outside the City of Dallas that is raising hundreds of thousands of dollars to try to get rid of me... so I need your help.”
The Dallas retirees voted their support for Kingston and for retiree activist Jack Blackshear for District 8 in the Garland City Council race.
We Aren’t Just Voting, We’re Marching!
The Dallas AFL-CIO encourages everyone to turn out on Sunday, April 9, for the Mega March that begins at the Guadalupe Cathedral on Ross Avenue. Organizers have broadened the demands from immigration reform to the betterment of all working families. Some of those organizers will promote the march on KNON’s “Workers Beat” program at 9AM Saturday, April 8th.
[caption caption="Congressman Veasey spoke on Labor Day"]
A magnificent list of speakers will be at City Hall where the march ends. Among them are our own champion for democracy, Congressman Marc Veasey. Others include Congressman Joaquin Castro, Congressman Beto O’Rourke, Congressman Luis Gutierrez from Illinois, State Rep Victoria Neave, Martin Luther King III, Andrew Young, Joaquin Castro, Azhar Azeez, and Piolin Eddie Sotelo.
State Legislature Needs Input from Working Families
Everyone who cares about wages, pensions, and education is invited to join the Texas State Employees Union lobby day on April 12. At least two buses are scheduled to leave Dallas early that morning. Tickets are only $15. Sign up at http://cwa-tseu.org/?page_id=6156.
Organizer Seth Hutchinson says, “State services and higher education are facing major budget cuts for the next two years, despite the growing need of millions of Texans for critical state services. Lawmakers so far are refusing to use all the money the state has available to avoid huge budget cuts to education and state services. Lobby Day is our chance to show lawmakers that Texans won’t stand for cuts. We need quality state services, good jobs for state workers, and a secure pension for our retirees."
More Actions Coming Up
Apr 7, 9A: KNON (89.3FM) “Workers Beat” program guests are Julio Acosta and Summer Joy Rangel-Gonzales promoting the Dallas Mega-March on Sunday
Apr 7-22: Congressional recess is underway. Visit your Congressperson in his/her home district
Apr 8, 9A: Dallas AFL-CIO canvassing from 1408 N Washington. Contact Lorraine Montemayor 214-826-4808
Apr 8, 12PM: Canvass to Stop Anti-Worker Legislation, Tarrant County Central Labor Council, 4025 Rufe Snow Drive, Ft Worth
Apr 9, 2P: Dallas Mega March for immigrant/refugee rights starts at the Cathedral on Ross Street
Apr 11, 6P: Young Democrats “Candidate Night” for Dallas City Council District 6 at 1408 N Washington
Apr 12, 6A: Buses leave Dallas for State Employee’s lobby day. Sign up at to buy a ticket and further plan for TSEU Lobby Day, go to this link: http://cwa-tseu.org/?page_id=6156
Apr 12, 6:30P: Communications Director Gene Lantz speaks at Left Leaning South DFW Women's Social Club. at Rock Wood Fired Kitchen, 2300 E. Lamar Blvd in Arlington
Apr 14: 10:15A: Gather at Young & Harwood, Dallas, for Annual Good Friday Walk comparing scripture to today’s activities
Apr 15: “Tax Day Rally” to demand Donald Trump’s tax records. Contact Workers United
Apr 17, 7-9P: Fort Worth Fair Wage Candidate Forum in the Botanic Gardens
Apr 24, 10A: First day of early voting. Rally downtown near the Old Red Courthouse on Commerce & Houston.
Apr 28: Workers Memorial Day
