Get Involved in Planning
The monthly 3rd Thursday Dallas Central Labor Council meeting is where union people formulate plans and find ways to help one another. All affiliated members are welcome.
The July 19 meeting will hear an update on our successful petitioning campaign to win paid sick time for all workers in the city. Employers have already launched their campaign to stop workers’ benefits. They can be expected to put big money into the fight, but we have the people.
Bring Back Labor’s Musical Tradition
The Dallas AFL-CIO and KNON radio’s “Workers Beat” program are sponsoring a musical tribute to Bastille Day and Woody Guthrie’s birthday, July 14th at 11AM at 1408 N Washington. Bastille Day is celebrated internationally as the beginning of the end of aristocracy in France. Woody Guthrie was the most prolific of all of labor’s troubadours during our greatest upsurge.
The eventis free and includes lunch and beverages. Participants will be asked for volunteer donations to keep two of labor’s most important institutions working for us.
Labor Studies How to Win
Union members are taking advantage of strategy sessions to plan for victory in the November elections. On July 10, we gathered at the IBEW Hall in Grand Prairie to study with the Lone Star Project. Many unionists will attend a major rally at Friendship Baptist Church on July 15.
“Dallas-Fort Worth is key,” electoral expert Matt Angle told the labor leaders on July 10. He said that progressive candidates could not win in Texas without labor, “You all are going to carry us across the finish line.”
Texas AFL-CIO President Rick Levy told the participants that our canvassers were going door-to-door even before the candidates were endorsed. “We campaign on labor’s issues,” he stated. Labor has especially emphasized Texas Senate District 10 in Fort Worth and Senate District 16 in Dallas, but there are a number of races where working people can make gains in November. Every office matters.
On July 15 at 2 PM, Friendship West Baptist Church will host an election rally that may help labor leaders mobilize support. Among the important candidates attending will be Lupe Valdez for Governor. In November, turnout means everything!
Labor Explains Trade & Tariff Issues
On July 12, the national AFL-CIO explained labor’s position on one of the most controversial issues in today’s news. Celeste Drake, AFL-CIO Trade & Globalization Policy Specialist, said that the main issue in today’s news is not “trade war” but “trade enforcement.” She said, “There is already a war against workers, and tariffs are a way for us to fight back.” The big problem with the trade “agreements” so far is not foreign workers, but transnational corporations who negotiate trade treaties in their own interests and at the expense of working people. American labor is not tied to any point of view other than what is best for American working families.
They have posted clear guidelines at http://go.aflcio.org/trade-talking-points.
More Actions coming Up
Jul 14, 11A: Bastille Day and Woody Guthrie Birthday celebration at 1408 N Washington. Co-sponsored by KNON radio and Dallas AFL-CIO
Jul 14, 11A: Tarrant County and Texas AFL-CIO present a Town Hall meeting at Teamsters 767 Hall, 6109 Anglin Drive, Forest Hill 76119
Jul 17, 5:30P: Candidate Fair followed by Democratic Party Unity Rally. at 1408 N. Washington Avenue, Dallas TX 75204
Jul 19, 7:30P: Dallas AFL-CIO Central Labor Council meeting for all affiliated members at 1408 N Washington. 214-826-4808
Jul 31: Teamster/UPS contracts expires if not already ratified
