I think it was in 2015, I was interviewing Kenneth Williams on KNON radio. We noted that a big activist upsurge was forming, but I lamented "There's no leadership." Kenneth corrected me, "Don't worry about leadership," he said, "just keep on fighting and leadership will emerge!" He was right.
Dallas AFL-CIO Principal Officer Lou Luckhardt made sure that labor had a contingent in the Dallas MLK march and parade for the 34th year in a row. The cold didn't deter him. In fact, he declared that he was going to participate the week before, when it was postponed due to severe cold. I can remember years ago when only a few activists, none of them full-time union leaders, marched for MLK, or for much of anything.
The upsurge is continuing, and the labor movement is continuing to squeeze out new and better leadership. I watched parts of the political convention that the Autoworkers had this week. Union and political leaders took my breath away. They are planning major battles and they don't care who knows it. For example, UAW President Shawn Fain called on all workers to get ready for a general strike on May 1, 2028. I don't think America has seen any kind of general strike since 1946!
Union leadership is evident at the state AFL-CIO federation level. We'll be participating as all Texas federal and state candidate endorsements are finalized on Sunday and Monday. Watch for the report from President Rick Levy. Dallas' electoral leadership picks are on our web site.
The best news is the way that young people, union members and non-members alike, are rallying to the cause of working families. At the MLK march on January 20, the biggest group to brave the cold came from our DFW Chapter of Young Active Labor Leaders. Both co-chairs, David Lowery and Stu Becker, walked and chanted through the entire route. Becker thoughtfully organized sign-making in advance. That's leadership!
Leadership Pays Off in Texas
The latest statistics from Bureau of Labor Statistics show that the Texas labor movement is growing. The national movement grew mightily in raw numbers, but union density continued its slow fall because so many new jobs have been created since the pandemic. Here in our state, both the numbers of union members and the density -- percentage of the workforce in unions -- grew substantially.
Dallas labor will be screening local candidates in the near future. Contact jtomlinson.dallasaflcio@gmail.com
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. We're always looking for speaking opportunities for our Speakers Bureau. For text reminders of immediate actions, text the word “action” to the phone number 235246.
Please Join our Solidarity Brigade
MORE ACTIONS COMING UP
Jan 27, 12:30P: Texas Alliance for Retired Americans convention at Doubletree hotel in Austin
Jan 28-29: Texas AFL-CIO COPE Convention at Doubletree by Hilton Austin, 6505 North Interstate 35, 78752
Jan 31: Union Plus Scholarship applications are due
Jan 31: Postmark deadline for applications for Texas AFL-CIO $1,500 scholarships to students from affiliated union families
Feb 7, 12:30P: Dallas Chapter of Texas Alliance for Retired Americans meets at 334 Centre. Contact Judy 214-729-0063
Feb 13: Nationwide “Day of Action” to assist flight attendants in contract negotiations
Feb 16: Filing deadline for Dallas school board candidates
Mar 1: New partial government shutdown crisis is likely
Mar 8: New partial government shutdown crisis is likely