Volunteers will be visiting union members at their homes on Saturday. Through this century so far, union members have increasingly out-voted the general public. Our concerted political information effort is the reason. In 2020, we must do better than ever.
We begin at 10 AM at 1408 N Washington with coffee and breakfast treats, then we take stacks of political information and maps to target destinations. Usually, we go in pairs. Every bit of information that we gain helps us in the next effort.
There are a lot of ways to get out the vote. Contact Political Director Lorraine Montemayor and volunteer at 214-826-4808.
Major Decisions Made at Labor Council
Delegates to the Dallas AFL-CIO meeting on January 16 made critical decisions for the future of working families. We nominated our officers and recommended candidates for the state endorsement process in Austin January 25-26.
The election of officers takes place at our February 20 meeting, but some nominees won’t have to worry about it because they will be elected by acclamation. These drew no opponents:
- President: David Lopez of the Elevator Constructors
- Vice President: Ray Oliver Edmondson of the Auto Workers
The affiliated unions also held caucuses to select their Executive Board representatives for the next period.
Discussions were held about the candidates who are applying for labor’s endorsement. The careful screening process took place the previous Saturday. Rating numbers were compiled and assembled for the delegates’ review. The next step for statewide candidates takes place at the Committee on Political Education (COPE) Conference in Austin. The Dallas Council decided on these hot local races:
- Marian Brown for County Sheriff.
- Carol Donovan for County Democratic Party Chairperson
- Sandra Streete Moncriffe for Judge, 254th District Court
- Maricela Moore for Judge, 162nd District Court
- Audra Riley for Judge, Criminal District Court 3
- Theresa Daniel for County Commissioner, Precinct 1
All union activists are already focusing on our endorsed candidate in the January 28 special election, Lorraine Birabil.
Most of the meeting was spent on the regular business of coordinating and advancing activities of the movement. The Amalgamated Transit Union has won a 3% raise for some of their members. The United Food and Commercial Workers won a $65,000 grievance for theirs. The Young Active Labor Leaders has chosen new officers. The federal workers have an important new campaign. Unite-HERE is making gains in Euless. Special recognition went to outgoing Vice President Craig Berendzen, financial whiz and graphics artist Jason Thomlinson, and especially Kym Grant for bringing fried chicken. Budgets and fund raising were an important part of the discussion.
Labor Hits the Links
Ray Edmondson is organizing a golf tournament fundraiser for the Dallas AFL-CIO. It takes place at Thorntree Country Club, 825 Wintergreen Road in Desoto on April 20. Entry fees are $85/player. Sponsorships between $100 and $600 are needed. Contact Edmondson at 469-360-9969 to sign up or get more information.
Federal Workers Launch Campaign
Jeanne Schulze of the American Federation of Government Employees asked the Dallas Labor Council to help save the Environmental Protection Agency from attacks by the Trump Administration. Their national union says, “While rolling back dozens of environmental rules and regulations, the Administration has cut agency staffing to the lowest levels since 1985. They’ve intimidated and silenced scientists, and gutted our labor rights. They’re erasing decades of scientific and public health advancement. We can’t let them get away with it. That’s why AFGE EPA Council 238 launched the EPA Workers’ Bill of Rights to #ProtectEPA. They are collecting signatures of support.
Communication Is Vital
Every Central Labor Council meeting includes a communications report. The Dallas Council does outreach in print, e-blasts, and social media. Sister Kara Sheehan brought materials to ask people to sign up for a four-day training session February 11-14 on sharpening our communications. Six more people need to sign up right away.
Activists are asked to join our Digital Organizing Committee by contacting genelantz.dallasaflcio@gmail.com. A good way to start pitching in is to go to our Facebook page and click on the three dots (***), then click on “invite friends” and ask other people to “like” the Dallas AFL-CIO.
March for MLK
The labor contingent in the Dallas Martin Luther King Parade drew line-up number 39. We begin gathering at 8 AM on Monday, January 20, at Martin Luther King Jr Blvd and Holmes Street. Dr King’s lessons for labor and civil rights together need our attention again today.
Activists will also be participating in the Dallas version of the National Women's March. They gather at 2PM on January 19 at St Paul's Methodist Church.
More Actions Coming Up
Jan 18, 8A: Fort Worth MLK parade begins at 4300 Ramey Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76105-2641
Jan 18, 10:15A: “Communicating with Difficult People” workshop at Unity of Dallas 6525 Forest Ln. Dallas
Jan 18, 10A-1P: Block Walking from 1408 N Washington
Jan 18, 9A-4P: Runaway Inequality and Medicare for All workshop at 1408 N Washington
Jan 18: Women’s march on Washington
Jan 19, 2p: Women’s March in Dallas begins at St Paul Methodist Church 1816 Routh St, Dallas, Texas 75201
Jan 20, 10A: TOP will meet at Dallas City Hall flor MLK march. Call or text Jose, (469) 306-5433, jperez@organizetexas.org
Jan 20, 9A: Dallas MLK parade starts at Holmes Street and MLK Blvd. We have starting place 39
Jan 21: Early vote begins for special election in Texas 100
Jan 24: TARA state convention at 1106 LaVaca in Austin
Jan 25-26: COPE Conference in Austin
Jan 25, 10:15A: Fort Worth Information Session on getting money out of politics at Fort Worth Public Library - East Regional 6301 Bridge St. Fort Worth 76112
Jan 25, 2P: Global Day of Protest against war with Iran. Dallas Peace and Justice Center and coalition partners hosting a rally at Dealey Plaza in downtown Dallas.
Jan 26: Early voting ends
Jan 28: Special election in Texas 100
