Hope is breaking through the dark clouds over working families. Discussion at the January Dallas Central Labor Council reflected new optimism.
Union density is on the increase. Some of the worst government officials are resigning or being fired. New worker-safety rules are being implemented. Justin Chen, President of AFGE 1003 at the Environmental Protection Agency, said that President Biden is good news: “The fight continues, and now that we’re not playing all defense, we can actually play offense a little more and actually serve the public!”
Members of the Transport Workers Union were celebrating the return of laid-off workers. Judy Bryant, a retired teacher, expressed her happiness because First Lady Dr Jill Biden called a White House meeting with the top leaders of both major school employee unions. Bryant said, “It was a really awesome thing!”
Secretary Treasurer Lewis Fulbright and President David Lopez called for meetings in the coming week to get ready for all our challenges and opportunities. The filing deadline for local elections is February 12.
Activate and Energize!
At the January 21 Central Labor Council, the executive board member representing constituency groups, Travis Cantwell, declared that we will activate and energize our allies. Labor has helped start many groups including:
- Labor Council for Latin American Achievement
- A Phillip Randolph for Civil Rights
- Coalition of Black Trade Unionists
- Coalition of Labor Union Women
- Pride at Work
- Texas Alliance for Retired Americans
- Union Veterans
- Blue/Green Environmental Alliance
- Domestic Workers United
- Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance
American democracy was tested on January 6th. Stronger democracy requires organizing. Coalition building is never easy, but it still has to be done. People who are interested in forming a coalition for working families will attend an early organizing meeting at 8 PM on January 22.
More Actions Coming Up
Jan 22, 8P: Labor Action Group launches on-line effort to “activate and energize” labor’s natural allies. Contact Travis Cantwell
Jan 25, 10A: The Texas AFL-CIO will host an online roundtable in which working people affected by COVID-19 discuss the state labor federation’s legislative Fair Shot Agenda in light of their experience in the pandemic. Register in advance.
Jan 28: Deadline to see the movie “Stand” for $10. It's about a strike in Canada
Feb 16: 2—Deadline for union high school students to apply for Texas AFL-CIO Scholarship Program
