Political Meetings Underway
County Commissioner Theresa Daniels dropped by the AFL-CIO office to encourage everyone to attend Democratic Party meetings on Saturday, March 24. “Working families have everything to gain in these elections,” Daniels said. The following are the locations for the five Democratic Party Senate Districts in Dallas County:
Senate District 2: CWA Local 6215 - 1408 N Washington Ave #300, Dallas, TX 75204 Convention Starts: 9:30 AM
Senate District 8: First Baptist Church of Hamilton Park - 300 E Phillips St, Richardson, TX 75081
Registration: 9:30 AM/ Convention Starts: 10:00 AM
Senate District 9: Intire Health Center - 1017 Fort Worth St., Grand Prairie 75050 Convention Starts: 9:00 AM
Senate District 16: ED Walker Middle School - 12532 Nuestra Dr., Dallas 75230 Registration: 8:30 AM/ Convention Starts: 10:00 AM
Senate District 23: Carter High School - 1819 W Wheatland Rd, Dallas, TX 75232 Registration: 12:30PM/ Convention Starts: 1:00 PM
Progressive Resolutions to be Presented
Almost all of the delegates to Democratic Party regional meetings are working people. The Texas AFL-CIO is asking us to push for six specific resolutions to be carried to the state convention. Here is a short version of the six topics covered:
Resolution on a Renegotiated NAFTA
Urge our government to protect democracy and promote a trade policy that benefits workers, farmers, consumers and the communities we live in.
Resolution on Protecting ‘DREAMers’
Call for Congress to take action to protect DREAMers, so they can move forward with their lives and put an end to the fear that they will be deported. Also call for Congress to debate comprehensive immigration reform to address issues that affect the larger community of immigrants.
Resolution on Paid Sick Leave
Texans should support a statewide paid sick leave policy that would give all Texans a real option of staying home when they or a family member are ill;
Resolution Opposing Effort to Ban Public Employee Payroll Dues Deduction
As firefighters, police, teachers, nurses and other public employees in Texas benefit from the freedom to schedule deductions from their paychecks for union dues, charitable purposes and support of other organizations of their choosing, we should oppose any legislation that would single out public employees and deny them their economic freedom to choose which organizations they may support through payroll dues deduction.
Resolution Supporting Public Employee Pensions
As defined benefit pension plans are the cornerstone of the retirement system for firefighters, police, teachers, nurses and other public employees, we should support and strengthen existing public employee pension funds and benefits such as those under Texas Retirement System, Employee Retirement System, and county and municipal public pension systems.
Resolution on Living Wage and the ‘Fight for 15’
The federal minimum wage and the Texas minimum wage remain at $7.25 an hour – far beneath what is needed to allow full-time workers to afford basic necessities. Wage inequality is at levels not seen since the Great Depression. Texans should reaffirm our support for a federal minimum wage increase to a living-wage level, including a cost-of- living adjustment that would maintain the wage floor’s buying power.
Take Action on Elections
The all out election effort for working families begins at 10AM on Saturday, March 31 at 1934 Pendleton Dr in Garland. Unionists and supporters will kick off canvassing and phone banking programs through November.
Two critical elections are pending. Early voting for the school board begins April 23. The election is May 5. The runoff for the primary races occurs May 22. Early voting begins May 14. Contact Lorraine, 214-448-1557, lmontemayor.dallasaflcio@gmail.com, and get behind the effort for working families.
Canvasser Jobs Open
The Texas AFL-CIO is looking to hire part-time field organizers to work in the Dallas area. Canvassers will have the opportunity to work with a dedicated team to engage potential voters around issues and civic engagement. Jobs go on through November 6th, and the training will help careers.
Jobs are part-time (20-28 hours a week) and pay $15/ hour. Contact: Summer Lollie, 972-533-3832, summer@texasaflcio.org. A similar program is underway in Tarrant County, where Angela DeFilippo can be contacted at angi@texasaflcio.org.
More Actions Coming Up
Mar 24, 1P: March For Our Lives starts at Dallas City Hall-1500 Marilla St · Dallas, TX. This event is being organized by local students
Mar 24: Democratic Party activists meet in their State Senate districts (see above)
Mar 27, 6:15P: DART Board expects to implement drastic rate hikes for public transportation. NTX Riders wants people to speak against it at Akard Station, 1401 Pacific Av
Mar 30, 10A: 13th annual Good Friday walk begins at Main Street Garden, Harwood between Commerce and Main. Contact Dallas Area Christian Progressive Alliance news@dallaschristians.org
Mar 31, 11A-2P: UAW locals hold Easter Egg hunt at 98 W Hurst Blvd, Hurst 76053