Adios 2016, Bienvenidos 2017!
Working people will need a lot of information, a lot of action, and a lot of friends in 2017.
[caption caption="CWA Rep Jerrell Miller and NAACP Friend Estella Williams"]
Not All Bad in 2016
Election activists across the country wish they had done as well as the Dallas AFL-CIO in 2016, but not all the outcomes were bad. Low-wage workers in 19 states will be getting a raise January 1st. It has also been pointed out that Texans may be especially grateful that nobody elected Ted Cruz.
Face Up to 2017
Dallas AFL-CIO will continue to work on providing information, growing, organizing actions, and making new friends for labor in 2017. Plans are under way for participation in January 16 Martin Luther King Jr events that should be larger than ever. They also provide an opportunity for individuals and organizations to prepare for the kinds of street actions that built the American labor movement from the ground up.
Inauguration Weekend Is Coming Up
So far, North Texas unions do not seem to have made any commitments to public activities around January 20-21. Activists are choosing from several options, including trips to Austin for marches on both days. No concensus has developed on the best way to prepare for what is looking like the most anti-worker government in living memory, but a lot of people agree that action is needed. It will sort out, and North Texas labor will continue to be a prominent and positive presence. Count on that!
Seniors Picket "Grinch" Congressman Sam Johnson
North Texas retirees put aside their holiday comforts and hit the streets on December 28 at the Plano office of Congressman Sam Johnson. Johnson introduced his Christmas bill to slash Social Security earlier in December. Short videos are available at https://youtu.be/M0oJU3XB8Jw, https://youtu.be/1PiUenq_CU0, and https://youtu.be/Z-XIJgQJrTs. Explanation in Spanish is at https://youtu.be/VAZFXeX6Bwc.
Medicare/Medicaid is also threatened in the upcoming Congress. The Alliance for Retired Americans has set January 4th for national call-in day to Congress.
More Actions Coming Up
Dec 31, 9A: KNON "Workers Beat" guest Kenneth Williams will help remember 2016 and anticipate the fight ahead on 89.3FM and http://knon.org
Dec 31, 1P: Funeral for homeless woman killed by cold weather, Violette Lindsay, at Golden Gate Funeral Home
Jan 3: Congress goes back in session
Jan 4: National Medicare Call-Congress Day. The free number is (866) 828-4162
Jan 6, ?: Bernie Reunion @ The Foundry, 2303 Pittman St, Dallas, TX 75208
Jan 7, 10A: PARK CITIES/CENTRAL DALLAS DEMOCRATS speaker LANCE LOWRY, HEAD OF TEXAS CORRECTIONAL EMPLOYEES LOCAL 3807 on Texas prison reform. University Park Public Library, 8383 Preston Center Plaza, Suite 300, UP 75225
Jan 7, 9A-5:30P: Bernie Sanders supporters present all day workshops with Jim Hightower at 1408 N Washington. Call 817-881-6287 or 817-921-0433
Jan 8, 11A-1P: DFW “Our Revolution” Organizing Meeting at CWA Hall, 1408 North Washington Avenue 75204
Jan 10: Beginning of State Legislature
Jan 16: Martin Luther King Jr birthday celebrations
Jan 19, 7:30P: Dallas AFL-CIO delegates will nominate leadership at 1408 N Washington. All members of affiliated unions welcomed.
Jan 20: Inauguration day