Dallas Labor Fights for Paid Sick Time
The Dallas AFL-CIO and a coalition of progressive organizations continues the drive to win a ballot initiative for paid sick leave for all workers in the city. All activists are asked to gather at 1408 N Washington for the next two Saturdays. Canvassing will continue until enough petitions or gathered. The deadline is June 11.
No experience is required. Drivers as well as canvassers are needed. This is the kind of experience that can lead to careers in labor organizing. On Saturdays, the Dallas activists will be joined by super-activists from Austin and San Antonio. San Antonio has already turned in their petitions, and the Austin coalition already won paid sick time.
Australians Show How a Corporate Campaign Can Work
Three Australian workers came to Dallas as part of their intercontinental corporate campaign to win justice from the Exxon/Mobil corporation. Corporate headquarters are in Irving. The Aussies met with AFL-CIO principal officer Mark York on June 1.
[caption caption="Dallas Steelworkers and AFL-CIO Leader Mark York met with Australian workers"]
On May 30th, they joined the protest at Exxon’s shareholder meeting at the luxurious Meyerson Symphony Center on Flora Street downtown. Spokesperson Troy Carter said that Exxon had caused them to be terminated 343 days earlier, and they had been protesting everywhere since then. Carter’s short talk was captured on Facebook and had over 1,300 viewings by the next day! The power of social media helps overcome the indifference of commercial newspersons to workers’ problems.
Herb Keener of CWA 6215 and Gene Lantz of UAW 848 also spoke briefly at the protest. The Blue/Green alliance between labor and environmentalists continues to be upheld in Dallas.
“Yea or Nay, We’re Here to Stay”
All working families will be affected when the Supreme Court issues its pending decision on the Janus Case. The Texas AFL-CIO intends to make a statement as soon as the court says whether or not all American public workers will fall under so-called “right to work” conditions.
The court has already showed anti-worker bias when it ruled in favor of corporations who impose mandatory arbitration on all employees – thus removing their right to assemble in class action suits to defend workers’ rights. President Trump has issued a series of executive orders undermining the rights of federal employees.
When working families are under attack, organizing is the answer.
CWA Workers Fight Nationwide
Sherron Molina of Communications Workers Local 6150 says that AT&T’s Legacy-T workers all over America are walking out on May 1. The Dallas group expects to move from noon to 4 PM from 4100 Bryan. We held a major demonstration in Dallas during AT&T’s shareholder meeting because contract negotiations have not gone well for working families.
More Actions Coming Up
Jun 2, 9A: Travis Pirotte of CWA 6171 speaks on KNON radio 89.3 FM
Jun 2, 10A: Help gather petitions for a ballot initiative to win paid sick time for every worker in Dallas. Come to 1408 N Washington. Contact Lorraine Montemayor at lmontemayor.dallasaflcio@gmail.com
Jun 12,1-2P: Demand Santander (bank) end “Dealer Markups” at 1601 Elm, Dallas 75201 contact Arnise Porter 817-692-4206 arnisep@att.net
Jun 16, 11A-1P: “Working Families Town Hall” with Texas AFL-CIO at 10045 Audelia Rd, Dallas 75238
Jun 23: 40 Days of Moral Action will culminate in a mass rally in Washington, D+C. Learn more at www.poorpeoplescampaign.org CWA Newsletter
Jul 31: Teamster/UPS contracts expire
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