Dallas Labor Demands Fair Legislation

On to the Capitol!

School employees will pour into the Texas Capitol on Monday, March 11. Multiple buses leave at 6 AM from the Alliance/AFT building at 334 Centre Street. For weeks, supporters have been sending $25, their contact information, and their shirt size to george@alliance-aft.org to reserve their bus seats. 

They will get their $25 returned, a free red shirt, lunch on the capitol grounds, and access to their Texas political representatives for the day. Activists may be especially motivated to support school employees because they have clearly spearheaded the American labor movement of late. Oakland teachers are the most recent working people to win their strike. They follow a long list of successful concerted actions across the nation. 

Those who want to support decent schools but can’t make the bus trip may want to contact representatives on Monday. They can get contact information on-line.

KNON’s “Workers Beat” program will help spread the word with an interview of National Education Association leader Delna Bryan on 89.3 FM at 9AM on Saturday, March 9.

The Texas Legislature is infamous for anti-worker activity; consequently they bear close watching. Subscribe to ed@texasaflcio.org for daily updates on upcoming bills, both good and  bad, and labor’s recommendations.

Labor Screens Candidates

The best way to influence political officeholders is start before they get elected. The Dallas AFL-CIO carried out an extensive candidate screening on March 2.

 Four panels interviewed over 60 candidates for local office. As the process began, they were asked to openly sign a statement reading, “I affirmatively seek the endorsement of the Dallas AFL-CIO. In seeking this endorsement, I pledge to support the rights of workers to join a union and negotiate about working conditions. I understand as a community leader I may be called upon to defend the rights of workers.” Nearly all of the candidates signed.

All of the interviewers looked at intense questionnaires and candidates’ literature. Then they took turns grilling each candidate. Their decisions are then quantified and presented to the March 21 Central Labor Council. Labor’s endorsements will be available on March 22. Many more photos are  posted on  our Facebook page.

Retirees Check Out the Mayor’s Race

The Dallas Chapter of the Texas Alliance for Retired Americans has members who come from unions and many who do not. After working people retire, their interests are very similar. Older Texans vote at a much higher rate than other voters.

At their monthly meeting on March 6, the Dallas group interviewed four candidates for Dallas Mayor: Michael Abalon, Albert Black, Regina Montoya, and Scott Griggs. Other chapters across Texas are also interviewing their local candidates.  

More Actions Coming Up

Mar 8: International Women’s Day

Mar 9, 10A-2P: Campaign Activist Training at 1408 N Washington. Texas Working Families Party 

Mar 10, 9:30A-2:30P: tour with the African American Museum of Dallas startng at 3536 Grand Ave, Dallas, Texas 75210

Mar 10, 2-5P: Pakistan-India Peace Rally at Dealey Plaza, 400 Main in Dallas 

Mar 11, 6A: Buses leave 334 Centre Street for Texas AFT Lobby Day

Mar 23, 3P: "Labor Fest" cultural event at 2218 E Main in Grand Prairie. Co-sponsored  by Dallas AFL-CIO, Dallas TARA, Labor Action Group, and KNON's "Workers  Beat" program. Contact Gene Lantz at genelantz19@gmail.com or 214-942-4236

Apr 5: Texas Labor Against Cancer “Shoot for a Cure” at Greystone Castle Sporting Club in Mingus, TX. Contact mark@shootforacure.us

Apr 14, 11A-5P: Oak Cliff Earth Day at Lake Cliff Park, Colorado & Zang

May 4, 7:30: Registration for “USA’s l8th Annual Dallas/Ft Worth Sporting Clays Shoot” at Elm Fork Shooting Sports, 10751 Luna Road, Dallas 75220. Contact Chris Piltz at 203-767-0745 or chris@unionsportsmen.org