Dallas Labor News January 27, 2017
Mark York: "We Will Not Be Divided!"
Together, working people have great power. Separately, not so much.
As the Trump Administration fired its first salvo against immigrants, the Dallas AFL-CIO joined our partners to publicly advocate solidarity against discrimination and deportations. Texas Organizing Project, Workers Defense Project and AFL-CIO held a press conference on January 26 in downtown Dallas. Mark York used our twitter feed, "Dallas AFL-CIO" to say, "Dallas AFL-CIO CLC will remain a sanctuary organization for those in the shadows. We stand w/ immigrants & refugee families."
The week before, Dallas AFL-CIO had appeared as part of the coalition "Our Communities, Our Schools" to ask people to sign on to a resolution for fairness in the Dallas Independent School District. Financial Secretary-Treasurer Mark York and Political Director Lorraine Montemayor ask all progressive activists to come together and expect more actions soon. Please Click Here to sign the resolution.
Progressive Congressman Marc Veasey is holding a town hall meeting on DACA, "Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals," on Saturday, January 28, at Kidd Springs Park, 711 W Canty, Dallas 75208. Call 817-920-9086 for information.
National AFL-CIO posted relevant materials and contacts on sanctuary cities and other immigration issues. Of particular import is a check-list for immigrants if they are questioned about their status: The resources are intended help ensure that members of our unions know their rights and are prepared to defend themselves and the immigrant members of their families and their communities in the event of workplace or community raids.
In its first week, the Trump Administration has made it clear that it intends to undercut the free press, undermine democracy, and divide all opposition. We must not be divided!
Millions March for Women, Against Trump
Dallas labor was proud to join with over 600 other marches in America and many others throughout the world on January 21. Our march stretched from City Hall to the CWA 6215 labor center and included between 5 and 10 thousand marchers. Fort Worth had a similar sized march, and the one in Austin included 50,000!
The Communications Workers newsletter says, "More than 1,000 CWA women and men came to Washington, D.C., last Saturday to stand up for justice and dignity for all and to protect our rights. They joined a crowd that grew to half a million people!"
Public marches and rallies are essential parts of the organizing process. There is a short video on the Dallas AFL-CIO Facebook Page and on You Tube. It is noteworthy that both the Dallas and the Fort Worth marches were organized in a very short period of time and especially used social media. That is the beauty of modern organizing. Please "like" our Facebook Pageand work with the labor movement as we confront the crisis and move forward.
Bring Call Center Jobs Back Home!
Jerrell Miller sends this photo of CWA members working to save jobs.
More Actions Coming Up
Jan 28, 9A: "Workers Beat" on KNON.org and 89.3 FM has Dr Joshua Hatton discussing North Texas efforts to stand together against racism and discrimination
Jan 28, 10:30A-Noon: DACA Summer & Immigration Town Hall with Congressman Marc Veasey. 711 W Canty, 75208. 817-920-9086
Feb 1, 12:30P: Dallas TARA retirees meet at Crown Buffet, 1350 N Hampton Rd Dallas, TX 75211 (Colorado and Hampton) Call 214-729-0063
Feb 3, 8:30a: "Borders, Boundaries and Barriers: Expansive Thinking and Global Solutions." Bluebonnet Ballroom, University Center 300 W. First St., Arlington