According to the Washington Post, one of the Republicans in the U.S. House is handing out inert but real hand grenades. Since many of them have already said that they intend to hold the government for ransom no matter what, the symbolism is too real. The Texas Legislature now underway may be even worse.
Your Dallas AFL-CIO is ready for a strong political season. At least two unions, school workers and state workers, are planning “lobby days” in Austin. Unionists are planning out screening for local candidates. Now more than ever, your input and volunteer efforts are needed. Contact Jason Tomlinson at jtomlinson.dallasaflcio@gmail.com.
Republicans at the national and state level may sound stupid or crazy, but remember that such people are dangerous. (QUESTION) What do you do if a Republican congressman throws a pin at you? (ANSWER) Run like heck, he may have a grenade in his teeth!
We Need LCLAA
The Labor Committee for Latin American Advancement organizes working families who have a Spanish language background. They are a powerful part of the national labor movement but have been sadly missing from Dallas since the pandemic began.
Two upcoming labor celebrations may give Dallas an opportunity to sign up new LCLAA members: International Women’s Day and Cesar Chavez’ Birthday. The woman who smashed labor’s glass ceiling, Linda Chavez-Thompson, has agreed to come to Dallas for a special event on March 8. Before she joined the top leadership of the national AFL-CIO in 1995, no woman and no Latina had ever been there!
Gerardo Contreras, who provided labor’s main float in the MLK march just past, has agreed to do it again on March 31. All we need now is lots of people to sign up. Contact Jason Tomlinson at jtomlinson.dallasaflcio@gmail.com.
KNON Volunteers Meet
For forty years now, Dallas has had one of the most unique radio stations in America. KNON, FM 89.3, blasts 24/7 with only 4 staffers and around 150 volunteers.
Two of those volunteers are officers of the Dallas Central Labor Council. "Workers Beat" comes on live at 9AM every Saturday. For most of KNON's 40 years, it has been the only pro-labor program on the airwaves in Texas and in most of the South! Contact genelantz.dallasaflcio@gmail.com.
MORE ACTIONS COMING UP
Jan 28, 3-5P: Celebration of the 85th anniversary of the Pecan Shellers’ Strike at Cassiano Park, 1728 Potosi, in San Antonio
Jan 29, 5:30P: Labor Socialists meet at Half Price Books on Northwest Highway
Jan 31: Postmark deadline for affiliated union-family high school seniors to apply for a Texas AFL-CIO scholarship
Jan 31: Postmark deadline for Union Plus scholarships. Scholarship awards range from $500-$4,000 and are available to union members and their families to begin or continue their college education
Feb 1, 12:30P: Dallas Chapter of TARA meets at AFT Hall, Bishop & Centre in Oak Cliff. Everyone invited. judy4tara@aol.com or 214-729-0063
Feb 8, 6P: Training for Deputy Voter Registrar at 1408 N Washington. Contact Bonnie Mathias http://Dallasdemocrats.org
Feb 16, 7:30P: Monthly meeting for Dallas Central Labor Council. All members of affiliated unions invited. Contact jtomlinson.dallasaflcio@gmail.com
Mar 8: Celebrate International Women’s day with Linda Chavez-Thompson at 1408 N Washington
Mar 10: Texas Legislature bill filing deadline
Mar 13: Texas AFT Lobby Day. Contact Judy Bryant, judy4tara@aol.com
Mar 31: Cesar Chavez’ Birthday
Apr 12: TSEU lobby day. Contact Judy Bryant, judy4tara@aol.com
Apr 24: Early voting begins