Eleven panels of experts carried out training on-line November 28-29. Beginning today, December 1, national AFL-CIO will begin releasing videos and slide shows that were developed. Topics included past and future legislation, giant flows of federal grant money, and dealing with the effects of new technology. Experts from the labor movement and our many allies discussed ways that we are turning the United States toward better infrastructure and better jobs. In many cases, labor leaders are leveraging favorable policies of the Biden Administration to affect local governments and, especially, corporations who want the lowest wages and the cheapest product.
Texas was well represented. Our former Texas AFL-CIO Legislative Director, Rene Lara, was one of the main spokespersons. Ana Gonzalez of Texas AFL-CIO reported on our statewide effort to stop school vouchers and other ugly legislation. Hany Khalil talked about the $9.1 million dollar grant that Houston labor administers for improving apprenticeship training.
This is a fabulous time to be part of a movement that is turning America toward a better future. A great deal of our future success depends on continuing to win elections, effective lobbying, increased organizing, and building up labor’s network of allies. As Yvonne Brooks of the Georgia AFL-CIO put it, “Working with partners is what gives us our strength.”
Outreach Outlook is Rosy
Labor is more popular than it has been in any of our lifetimes. One way to take advantage of our popularity and build our strength is through the Speakers Bureau on our web site. Sister Rosie Curts gave a model presentation for labor to the Unitarian Church of Plano. They recorded it and posted it on YouTube.
Organizing Underway
Now that they have wrapped up historic success in bargaining, the Auto Workers Union has launched a major nation-wide organizing drive. Anyone who was wondering which of the many non-union auto companies they will target, the answer is “all of the above.” Union organizers are exploring new methods. The Young Active Labor Leaders in DFW are not only helping organizing drives. They are also training themselves and others for a new era that is coming. Labor’s retirees carry out our annual fund and membership drive from Thanksgiving through January. The Dallas AFL-CIO is part of a mighty force!
Get Ready for 2024
The Dallas AFL-CIO Political Committee met on November 29 to start scheduling our outreach to candidates. Those who apply for labor’s valuable endorsement will be filling out questionnaires, and undergoing interviews. We will have all of our federal and state recommendations done before the state political convention in late January. To volunteer or ask for information, contact Jason Tomlinson at jtomlinson.dallasaflcio@gmail.com
Take Time to Celebrate
The Dallas AFL-CIO Central Labor Council cordially invites you to our Casino Night/ Holiday Party, Friday December 15, 2023. The event will be held at: The Communication Workers of America Building 1408 North Washington Avenue Dallas, Texas 75207 The doors will open at 7:00 pm with food, refreshments and a cash bar. Single tickets are $30; $25 buys 2,500 GAME DOLLARS. We are also providing an opportunity to be a sponsor of this event.
Please submit slide show ads to Jason Tomlinson at jtomlinson.dallasaflcio@gmail.com by Monday December 11, 2023. If you can attend, please email Jason Tomlinson at Jtomlinson.dallasaflcio@gmail.com. You can also call the office line at 214-826-4808 or 817- 475-1756 to make reservations or have any questions and/ or concerns addressed. Checks can be, mailed to 1408 N. Washington Ave. #240, Dallas, TX 75204, On-line payments go to https://square.link/u/vSx4fO8p, Contact Jason at jtomlinson.dallasaflcio.org for more information.
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
Dec 6, 11:30A: Dallas retiree Christmas Party. Contact Judy 214-729-0063
Dec 7: Medicare open enrollment period ends
Dec 7, 6P: Dallas Peace and Justice Center Meet-Up at First Unitarian Church, 4015 Normandy Av, or on Zoom. Parking and meeting details are available
Dec 11: Filing deadline for candidates. Union candidate screening begins soon afterward. Contact jtomlinson.dallasaflcio@gmail.com
Dec 12, 6P: Women's Committee invites you to meet on-line. Contact Robin Johnson at
rjust2219@att.net
Dec 15: 7P: Dallas Central Labor Council Christmas Casino Party at 1408 N Washington. Contact jtomlinson.dallasaflcio@gmail.com
Jan 31: Deadline for Texas AFL-CIO college scholarship applications