The AFL-CIO General Board made history on June 16 when they endorsed the Biden/Harris team for 2024. It was the earliest labor endorsement ever. Speakers emphasized Biden's excellent record for working families during difficult political times. They also pointed out that we do not live in normal times and that waiting around has dire consequences. Given the importance of the 2024 elections, the labor leaders felt that starting sooner was a whole lot better than later!
Youth Takes the Lead
At the Dallas Central Labor Council meeting on June 15, Young Active Labor Leader Rosie Curts gave an astounding report on her activities during the previous week. She went to Los Angeles to picket with the Writers strike, then to Houston for a democracy rally, then to Austin to participate in the Troublemakers School. She is setting an example for all of us.
The next big project is to help win another Starbucks election victory. Rosie Curts writes: "Leading up to their 6/23 election, we want every shift of the Plano Starbucks to see at least one solidarity "Union Strong" customer! Sign up to help. Any time in the given shift, you are signing up that you will go to the Starbucks at 1709 Preston Rd., Plano, TX 75093 and placing an order under the name "Union Strong", "Union Yes", etc. and wishing the baristas good luck. Feel free to bring a friend or two or three, but not a huge crowd, so as not to overwhelm the overworked baristas!"
Other young people are boosting Dallas labor. A college student and a high-school student are participating in labor's events and working on research to help our Executive Board do strategic planning on July 22.
Labor Hero Reports
The June meeting of the Dallas AFL-CIO heard a review of the 2023 legislative session from long-time labor hero Johnny Bryant. He introduced a number of bills that would have helped, including one to raise the minimum wage, but was stymied by the Republican majority. The needs of working families were almost totally opposed or neglected. He particularly lamented the Republicans' failure to help our schools because, "Public education is the most successful social program that was ever conceived!" Look for more about the Central Labor Council on our Facebook page.
Dallas Residents Triumph Over Mighty Corporations
On the evening of June 15, the Dallas Neighborhood Association held a celebration honoring City Councilman Paul Ridley. Eleven other Council members had joined him in voting to ban short-term rentals from all residential neighborhoods. According to the Dallas newspaper, there may be as many as 6,000 of them operating without any restraints in our city!
Celebrate Juneteenth
Texas Emancipation Day is now being celebrated all over the nation. It is a good time to remember that Dr. Martin Luther King said that the race-baiter and the labor-hater are always the same guy!
More Actions Coming Up
Jun 17, 11A: “Juneteenth in Dallas” at 816 Montgomery Street, Dallas
Jun 17, 4P: “Juneteenth in Mansfield" at The Lot downtown, 110 S Main
Jun 18, 3P: Mesquite Juneteenth celebration in Paschall Park, 1001 New Market Rd
Jun 18, Midnight: Governor Abbott’s deadline for vetoing bills
Jun 19, 6P: Juneteenth in Dallas explained at City Park, 1717 Gano
Jun 23: Union election at Starbucks in Plano
Jul 4: Gerardo Contreras will have a labor float in the Arlington 4th of July parade. Contact the Tarrant County Labor Council
Jul 5, 12:30P: Dallas Chapter of Texas Alliance for Retired Americans will not meet until August 9. Contact judy4tara@aol.com
Jul 21: Deadline for suggestions for long-term planning in Dallas AFL-CIO. Contact genelantz.dallasaflcio@gmail.com
Jul 31: UPS/Teamster contract expires for 340,000 workers