American labor and our supporters are going on a full-court press to pull working families through today’s multi-layered crisis. The Central Labor Council meeting at 7:30 on Thursday, May 21, will be mobilization center. The following is the call from Secretary/Treasurer Mark York:
TO: All Affiliated Locals, Delegates and Executive Board Members
The Dallas AFL-CIO Council will hold its regularly scheduled meeting Thursday May 21 at 7:30 p.m. on ZOOM. the Executive Board will meet at 6:30 p.m.
Communications Director/Sergeant of Arms Gene Lantz will be coming out with call-in instructions. Please permit yourself time to properly dial in and be recognized.
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ITEM #1 Report Out by Affiliate on COVID and Union Status
ITEM #2 Future Political Program Planning
ITEM #3 Dallas AFL-CIO Golf Tournament Canceled
Fraternally,
Mark York, Secretary-Treasurer Dallas AFL-CIO
In order to avoid the computer hackers that are disrupting ZOOM meetings, entrance information will be sent separately to everyone who received it last month. Any other member of an affiliated union who wants to attend should contact genelantz.dallasaflcio@gmail.com.
National Effort Underway to Pass the Heroes Bill
The House of Representatives is passing H.R. 6800, the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act. It includes an emergency workplace infectious disease standard; gives aid for state and local governments, public schools, the U.S. Postal Service, and pension funding relief; keeps workers on payrolls to avoid mass layoffs; extends unemployment insurance; provides more direct payments to working people; extends health care coverage; provides housing and food benefits; and much more.
Top Republicans are saying that stimulus is not needed. They also insist on freeing businesses from liability if they cause workers to get COVID-19. President Trump insists on cutting payroll taxes, which would undermine Social Security. The fight is on!
One voice on our side is Jerome Powell, Federal Reserve Chairman. He is quoted in the Dallas newspaper saying that more stimulus is needed to avoid a painful multiyear recession.
National AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka says that the Heroes bill address all five of America’s “economic essentials:”
- Keep America healthy—protect and expand health insurance for all workers.
- Keep workers employed and protect earned pension checks.
- Keep state and local governments, our public schools and the U.S. Postal Service solvent and working.
- Keep front-line workers safe and secure.
- Keep America competitive—hire people to build infrastructure
To participate in the national campaign, volunteers are asked to click this link.
The bill would also save the Post Office and provide money for vote-by-mail.
Vote by Mail
On a teleconference May 15, National AFL-CIO President Rich Trumka said, “If you can, sign up now to vote by mail!” He encouraged everyone, union member or not, to sign up with labor’s community outreach program, Working America.
On May 14, it was announced that an Appeals Court had upheld a judge’s ruling that the threat of death from COVID-19 constitutes a disability, thus qualifying all Texas voters to vote by mail. Applications can be downloaded from https://webservices.sos.state.tx.us/forms/5-15f.pdf. The completed paper must be sent to the county election office. In Dallas County, that is Dallas County Elections Department, 2377 N. Stemmons Fwy. Suite 820, Dallas, Texas 75207.
Attorney General Paxton is hell-bent on stopping Texans from voting by mail and intends to appeal higher. Meantime, Texans who want to defend democracy are mobilizing.
Join the Fight!
One simple idea is to circulate short videos of ourselves endorsing democracy and vote-by-mail. We could do that on a ZOOM conference that is being planned. Everyone who wants to join the fight should contact genelantz.dallasaflcio@gmail.com.
More Actions Coming Up
May 18, 5P: Texas AFL-CIO “Live at Five” labor update on Facebook
May 19: Coalition of Labor Union Women call in day.
May 20: Deadline for AFL-CIO scholarship applications for union member families with graduating seniors
May 21, 7:30P: Dallas AFL-CIO monthly meeting. Contact dallasaflcio@gmail.com for registration information
Jun 20: Poor People's Campaign is planning a virtual Moral March on Washington
