Saving our schools and stopping government cuts are Texas priorities, but all of us need to win the strikes. There are large and small strikes, short and long ones. Health care workers held a mighty 3-day strike this week and journalists in Pittsburgh marked their 365th day on the picket line.
All of us are involved.
All of us want to win.
All of us are searching for the best way to help.
Here are some ongoing projects and ideas under discussion:
PHYSICAL HELP
Strikers welcome us on their picket lines at 2505 E Beltline Carrollton and 301 Freedom Dr in Roanoke. Participation gives us a chance to meet individual strikers and find out what they need.
It might be wise to designate a solidarity center, because dropping things off at picket lines doesn’t always work.
We need to find out if striking families qualify for free food from food pantries.
The union grocery, Kroger, has gift cards. Cards are a lot easier to handle than, say, frozen turkeys.
Various unions often buy hats and t-shirts for their members. It might be possible to get some of them to volunteer to order wearables for strikers and families. A generic red “solidarity” tee would be good for all occasions and all strike supporters.
Some unions and groups might like to provide entertainment for striking families. "Movie night," musicians, or talent shows aren't hard to organize once a host comes forward.
Some unions have outdoor barbecues, fish fries, or catered meals from time to time. They might be willing to have special ones for strikers' families.
OUTREACH AND EMISSARIES
On-line updates help build public support. The “Workers Beat” program at 9AM every Saturday on KNON.org and 89.3FM can help. The more we speak out, the better we get at it.
Everything that striking families do might be newsworthy. Letters-to-editors are always good.
Striking workers make amazing emissaries and are generally welcome everywhere. Why not make it a point to invite strikers to our activities?
One-on-one interviews with striking families need to be posted. The public needs to see the human face of strikes.
Strikers' families should think about going to activities outside their home area, too. Lou Luckhardt is organizing car pools to go to Austin on Saturday for a "Save our schools" rally. Traveling strikers might be able to remind all Texans that they have a stake in winning and that solidarity is how we solve our problems.
It would not be impossible to organize a state tour for strike representatives. Statewide labor organizations would help.
GETTING STARTED
A statewide webinar for strike support is already set up for 6PM Tuesday, October 10. Panelists from SAG-AFTRA, UAW, DFW youth, and DFW seniors will report and solicit suggestions for winning. Register here.
Lou Luckhardt, principal officer of Dallas AFL-CIO, is organizing a cookout honoring Dallas County strikers for 3PM on October 21 at 1408 N Washington. CWA 6215 is cooperating. “Saint” Gerardo Contreras of UAW 848 has agreed to cook. Lou is asking the Postal Employees to help entertain strikers’ children. State Representative Julie Johnson, whose district includes the Carrollton picket line, and Representative Johnny Bryant, whose district includes the CWA hall, are contributing drinks and food. RSVP to lluckhardt.dallasaflcio@gmail.com is absolutely required so he will know how much to buy.
We posted video instructions on what to do if the big Arlington General Motors plant is called out.
Young Active Labor Leadership is looking into an outreach program suggested by the Auto Workers.
Teamsters 767 members were first at the Carrollton picket line with several skids of bottled water.
The Bakers and Confectioners have already begun delivering union-made snacks.
Felipe Mendez, President of UFCW 540, is investigating Kroger gift coupons and solidarity t-shirts for striking families. He commented, “We’ll help in any way we can!”
More Problems/Opportunities
Texas American Federation of Teachers is organizing the fight to save our schools. They are asking people to sign up to serve as substitute teachers while their members lobby in Austin.
The next government shutdown crisis will probably take place November 15. The underlying cause is that Republicans are demanding deep cuts in programs for working families while continuing to give away money to the rich. We need to make the political divide clear with public actions for “No Cuts!”
Are You Connected?
Dallas AFL-CIO continues to collect contact info for those who want to win for working families.
Please Join our Solidarity Brigade
We update the action calendar on our web page as new events are set. You can combine labor’s Google calendar into yours.
For text reminders of immediate actions, text the word “action” to the phone number 235246.
Please Join our Solidarity Brigade
More Actions Coming Up
Oct 6: 23rd day of UAW strike begun Sep 14
Oct 6, 1P: UAW President Shawn Fain strike update on-line: FB: http://facebook.com/uaw.union, YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/uaw, X: https://twitter.com/UAW
Oct 6, 3PM: Rally to save our schools at 1201 Int’l Pkway, Richardson. Information came from Avery Bishop
Oct 7, noon: Rally at Texas Capitol in Austin. “Save Our Schools!” lluckhardt.dallasaflcio@gmail.com is organizing car pools
Oct 7, 3-7P: Texas AFL-CIO Women’s Committee “Paint and Sip.” RSVP: https://act.aflcio.org/events/paint-and-sip
Oct 9: Gov. Abbott will call a special session to force school vouchers through the legislature Oct 6, 1P: UAW strike update from President Shawn Fain
Oct 10: Last day to register to vote for Nov 7 election
Oct 13: Political strike in France
Oct 15-Dec 7: Medicare open enrollment period
Oct 19, 7:30P: Dallas AFL-CIO Central Labor Council meeting for all affiliated members at 1408 N Washington
Oct 21, 3P: Strikers honored at cookout at 1408 N Washington. RSVP to lluckhardt.dallasaflcio@gmail.com
Oct 23, 10A: Early vote rally at George Allen Courthouse