Dallas Labor News January 13, 2017
Stand Up for Beliefs of Martin Luther King Jr!
Working people are asked to turn out for the Dallas labor contingent in the Martin Luther King Jr march and parade. It will begin at 10 AM but line up starts at 8 AM on Cleveland street/ MLK Jr. Blvd.
Dr King spoke at many labor events and was killed while working for a decent contract for sanitation workers. He often reminded us that African American people and the labor movement suffer from the same oppressors and have the same goals. He said that the race-baiter and the labor-baiter are simply two heads of the same monster.
Dallas AFL-CIO Political Director Lorraine Montemayor has asked everyone to please make personal arrangements for transportation to the parade/lineup. The parade route is 1 mile long and ends at the Pennsylvania parking lot in Fair Park. Also, we will be registering voters at this event by having volunteers walk with a clip board amongst the spectators. Those who plan ahead will leave a car in Fair Park and get a ride up MLK Boulevard to the parade start. The Fort Worth parade is downtown at 11 AM.
Civil Rights Leader Pancho Medrano Will Be Honored
Francisco "Pancho" Medrano will be honored 3-6 PM on January21 at the Latino Cultural Center, 2600 Live Oak in Dallas. Pancho (1920 - 2002) was a dedicated family man and a strong defender of civil rights, whose own vision and drive paved the way for others.
His offspring learned this motto from him: “In America, everything is politics, from the day you are born, until the day you die.” Several of them have served the Dallas City, County and School Board. Daughter Pauline is currently our County Treasurer and grandson Adam is on the City Council.
Many activists knew Pancho and most of us know part of his many accomplishments. He was one of very few Mexican Americans hired as a riveter at North American Aviation (later LTV in Grand Prairie) during World War II. Pancho lived in "Little Mexico," near Pike's Park, and actually ran 15 miles to get to work in Grand Prairie.
Running was part of his life, because Pancho was a successful heavyweight boxer. Management set up a boxing ring between the "A" plant and the "B" plant at North American. Pancho became well known because he stood against all comers during lunch breaks.
Riveting airplanes together was a two-man job, but he had to invent a method to do it alone as none of the Anglo workers would pair with him. Pancho was devoted to his UAW union and served as Sergeant at Arms. He remained a devoted union activist all his life. He is pictured speaking to the retirees at UAW 848 at the meeting before his death.
Pancho's reputation in civil rights caught the attention of the UAW international when the civil rights movement began to heat up. He was commissioned to represent the UAW at all American civil rights activities.
Not everyone knows how much the UAW and Pancho Medrano helped the United Farm Workers. It was Pancho who delivered the money to start the organization, and it was Pancho who stood with them when Texas Rangers beat them up in the Rio Grande Valley. Pancho was the lead plaintiff in the successful lawsuit that eventually went to the Supreme Court and ended the Rangers' union busting activities!
Hardly any major civil rights events occurred without Medrano in attendance. He was with Dr King at Selma. He was with "Tiger" Tijerina in Arizona. He was with Vice President Lyndon Johnson and his wife Ladybird when a mob attacked them in downtown Dallas just a few weeks before the murder of President John Kennedy. Pancho was walking in the entourage behind Robert Kennedy when he was murdered in California.
Pancho has been honored by DISD Superintendent Hinojosa and other officials when they dedicated the Francisco "Pancho" Medrano Middle School at 9815 Brockbank in Dallas. It is the second "Medrano" school in the district, as one was already named for Mrs. Medrano. A post office in East Dallas is also named for Pancho. He occupies a place in the Labor Hall of Fame in Austin.
Pancho never failed to vote. He even got up from his deathbed to vote in local elections. Pancho never missed the annual Martin Luther King Jr march in Dallas. If he were alive, he would be expecting all of us this year!
What Are You Fighting For?
Judging from the fund raising letters, just about everybody wants us to fight just about everything. But one thing that all working people can agree on is raising wages. Texas AFL-CIO Communications Director Ed Sillshas identified 12 important bills filed in the current Texas Legislature. Three of them, including one by Dallas' own Representative Roberto Alonzo, would raise the Texas minimum to a decent $15/hour. Several would restore the right of local governments to raise their own minimum wages. Another would protect worker ownership of tips.
More Actions Coming Up
Now: Eligible voters should sign up for vote-by-mail
Jan 14, 6:30P: What to Expect in a Trump Presidency with Ray Crelia. Roma’s Pizza, 7402 Greenville Av in Dallas
Jan 15, 1-3P: Democratic Socialists of America and National Nurses United rally for health care at 100 W Weatherford in Ft Worth and at Belo Garden Park, 1014 Main in Dallas
Jan 16: Martin Luther King Jr birthday celebrations. The Dallas parade will begin at 10 AM but parade line up starts at 8 AM on Cleveland street/ MLK Jr. Blvd.
Jan 16, 11A: Fort Worth MLK parade begins downtown
Jan 19, 7:30P: Dallas Central Labor Council meeting for affiliated members. 1408 N Washington. 214-826-4808.
Jan 19, 7P: “Counter-Inaugural Ball” drumming, dancing & drinking at 201 SD Calhoun in Ft Worth. Call 817-395-3177.
Jan 20: Inauguration day in Washington DC: pick your action!
Jan 21, 10A: Victoria Neave “Women’s Rally and Mega Phone Bank” at 1408 N Washington
Jan 21, 3-6P: 2017 Hispanic Ancestry Tribute honors Pancho Medrano. (Program 3 - 4 PM, Reception 4 - 6 PM, Latino Cultural Center, 2600 Live Oak St., Dallas TX 75204
Jan 21: Million Woman March in DC and in Austin. Bus available www.ndtdw.org $35
Jan 21, 6:30: Gene Lantz speaks on "A United Movement to Confront the Trump Government," Romo's Pizza, 7402 Greenville Av in Dallas
Jan 23: National Medicare Call-In Day. The number is (866) 828-4162