The Dallas AFL-CIO Central Labor Council held another exciting meeting on June 28. Principal officer Mark York gave a rousing call to arms and said that the new anti-union Supreme Court ruling will never defeat us. We continue to recruit and swear in new members. The Dallas newspaper reported a net gain of 262,000 in American union membership.
York emphasized the importance of winning elections on behalf of working families. Joanna Cattanach, a candidate for Texas Representative from District 108 (downtown and uptown, Dallas) said that York had encouraged her to run. Progressive women are winning elections all over America.
Sherlyn Samuels of Amalgamated Transit Union 1138 said that the A. Philip Randolph Institute will be working hard on elections. Several speakers talked about the immigration crisis and how it affects working families. A major rally and march has been called for June 30.
Political Director Lorraine Montemayor drew cheers when she talked about the “standing room only” Labor Caucus at the Texas Democratic Convention in Fort Worth. She expressed thanks to the many who had helped gather 110,000 signatures to win paid sick time for all Dallas workers. She especially pointed out the Colin Allred for Congress campaign for supplying 40 volunteers. The campaign for voter registration for all union families and all our friends is critical, Montemayor said.
Travis Cantwell gave the report from Young Active Labor Leaders (YALL). They went all out for paid sick time. Their meeting on the first Monday in June was their largest ever. A new chapter has now been established in Tarrant County.
Jason Tomlinson reported on efforts to organize veterans to fight for their rights. Shelley Seeberg asked everyone to join an organizing drive for food service workers.
Support Unions, Support Democracy
The right to organize is critical to democracy. Recent Supreme Court decisions camouflaged themselves as constitutional questions, but were in fact outright attacks against the right to organize. The Janus Vs AFSCME decision was especially designed to bankrupt unions. It is being followed by an all-out attempt to get union members to give up.
Unions will fight back by strengthening the movement by organizing and other means, including fund raising. Our Labor Day Breakfast needs to make a net profit this year. Our “Woody Guthrie Birthday Celebration” on July 14 needs to help the financial picture for labor. For a good time, please sign up on Facebook and join us. https://www.facebook.com/events/449607605444731/
The Dallas AFL-CIO has established an on-line Paypal account through which labor’s supporters can make one-time donations or commit to small monthly “sustainer” payments.
When we are together, we are unbeatable!
Are You Ready to Vote?
Are you certain that you can vote in the next election? If you have moved, or if you haven’t voted in a while, be safe and check.
You can use your Texas drivers license number or other information to check on your present voter status. Click on https://teamrv-mvp.sos.texas.gov/MVP/mvp.do. If you need to register or re-register, you can download the form from that same site.
Seniors, disabled Texans, and voters who expect to be out of town during the voting period may vote by mail. Applications can be printed out from https://webservices.sos.state.tx.us/forms/5-15f.pdf. They must be sent to the correct county elections office. A complete list of county offices is on-line at this link: https://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/voter/votregduties.shtml
More Actions Coming Up
Jun 30, 10A: “Families Belong Together” rally at City Hall, Young & Ervay
Jul 3: July 3rd: The First Tuesday Social Justice Film Festival presents “The Milagro Beanfield War” at 3839 W. Kiest Blvd., Dallas, Texas 75233 Phone: 214.337.2429 Cosponsored by the Dallas Peace & Justice Center
Jul 14, 11A-2P: "Woody Guthrie Birthday Celebration" on Bastille Day at 1408 N Washington. Sign up on Facebook
Jul 31: Teamster/UPS contracts expire