Dallas Labor Succeeds!
Dallas labor's April 21 meeting revealed big successes in organizing, legal action, elections, and recognition from other leading unionists.
Election Success Is At Hand
The popular Lorraine Montemayor, political director for the Dallas AFL-CIO, drew applause even before she spoke to labor delegates on April 21. She announced that labor will be celebrating victories on election night, May 6. The fun actually begins with our 10 AM block walking on Saturday, April 22. It will be followed by a gala cookout in the parking lot at 1408 N Washington.
Labor will rally downtown at 10AM on April 24 for the first day of early voting. That afternoon, and every Monday and Tuesday until the election, we’ll have phone banking 8AM to 5PM at Suite #240, 1408 N Washington. Block walking and festivities will be every Saturday beginning at 10 AM. Call Lorraine to volunteer at 214-826-4808.
Nothing Succeeds Like labor's Success
The April 21 AFL-CIO meeting included a lot of good news for working families. Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1338 President Kenneth Day announced a very successful conclusion to the local’s fight for the rights of one member. The union’s legal action won 6 years of back pay for the brother, all court costs for the union, and an additional $2.5 million in damages!
Darryl Sullivan, delegate from Teamsters Local 745, announced an organizing success for 400 new union brothers and sisters. They will enjoy a substantial pay raise and other union benefits!
Our Dallas leader, Mark York, has been invited to a special “Core Cities Strategy” meeting with top labor leaders and the 40-50 most active Central Labor Councils in America. It takes place May 9-12 in Minneapolis. The focus is “Building Power In Our Cities.”
Political Director Lorraine Montemayor announced that labor will do an unprecedented giant mailing. Several unions announced large financial contributions to labor’s candidates. Our Scholarship Committee has produced three outstanding candidates for Texas college scholarships. One of the students is from the Communications Workers, one from Transport Workers, and one was from the Government Employees.
The Communications Report bragged on improvements on our web site, which now includes special sections on elections, organizing, and labor history.
As usual, labor delegates were pleased to hear of continued success in our community outreach and, especially, our program for helping young first offenders get jobs and avoid a lifetime of trouble with the law. Other cities are interested in the Dallas success. “We’ll be franchising,” said Project Phoenix Director Elaine Adkison.
We’re Pulling for Louis!
Our brother Louis Davis of the Letter Carriers has been stuck in Washington DC since February with pneumonia. Davis is a former president of our Central Labor Council.
MayDay Celebration Set
For the past hundred years, Americans have largely ignored International Workers Day even though the rest of the world knows that it originated in Chicago. It is indicative of an upsurge in the consciousness of working families that America will have many celebrations this year. The Workers Defense Project has taken the lead in the Dallas rally, which is set for 10AM at the Wells Fargo Bank, 1521 N Cockrell Hill Rd. The leaflet reads, “Wells Fargo for their clear ties to the Trump administration and their roles in financing the debt of detention centers."
The leaflet says, “May 1st will be a no-work, no-school day of protest…” Dallas AFL-CIO, Mi Familia Vota, ACLU-TX, and Texas Organizing Project are listed as co-sponsors.
Alonzo Honored by AFL-CIO
State Representative Roberto Alonzo announced legislative success for labor when he addressed delegates on April 21. “The paycheck deduction bill,” Alonzo said, “It’s stuck!” He referred to the worst of several anti-union bills in the Texas legislature. It was intentionally designed to make it very difficult for public employee unions to survive. So far, it has not been made into law.
“The unions are paying a big role in Austin,” Alonzo said.He talked about controversial pension and immigrants rights issues in the legislature. “The reason I’m there is because of you. The reason I’m National President of all the labor representatives in the country is because of you.” Alonzo told the delegates.
According to the Texas AFL-CIO, labor is supporting Roberto Alonzo’s HB 2587, which would provide an essential protection for public employees facing disciplinary action. Another Alonzo bill, HB 3797, would require call centers who take economic develop taxpayer money to follow through with promised jobs. Labor takes strong positions for and against a long list of proposed legislation. Sign up for info from Communications Director Ed Sills.
More Actions Coming Up
Apr 22, 10A: Dallas AFL-CIO canvassing starts at 1408 N Washington. Tailgate party around noon. Lorraine Montemayor lmontemayor.dallasaflcio@gmail.com 214-826-4808.
Apr 23, 6-8P: Debate between candidates in Dallas District 14 City Council at Garden Cafe 5310 Junius.
Apr 24, 10:00: First day of early voting. Rally downtown at George Allen Court House near the Old Red Courthouse, 600 Commerce. Phone banking begins afterward at 1408 N Washington #240.
Apr 28, 8A: Rally outside AT&T shareholders’ meeting at AT&T Performing Arts Center 2403 Flora #500, D 75201
Apr 28: Workers Memorial Day in remembrance of workers killed or injured on the job.
May 1, 10A: Rally outside Wells Fargo Bank, 1521 N Cockrell Hill in Dallas. Contact Workers Defense Project at 817-501-5007.
May 6, 10 a.m. Cinco de Mayo parade from 232 W. Jefferson to 600 S. Polk in Oak Cliff