Dallas Labor News November 4, 2016

Labor Helps Set New Voting Records!

North Texas labor volunteers continue to help set new records as our final push continues through election day. Dallas AFL-CIO leader Mark York says that Political Director Lorraine Montemayor is doing a bang-up job!

Dallas activists will work in Garland and Tarrant will be in Arlington Saturday morning. Both groups will hold appreciation lunches with beer and barbecue after 2016's final door canvassing effort. Activities listed below show a barrage of volunteer effort right up to our celebration on election night. Early voting runs through 7PM Friday. See the incredible turnout numbers at http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/earlyvoting/2016/nov1.shtml

Rick Levy to Help in Saturday's Garland Effort

[caption caption="Texas AFL-CIO leader Rick Levy" align="center"] [/caption]

The Secretary Treasurer of Texas AFL-CIO will help boost the North Texas effort on Saturday, November 5. He will delivery labor's message from KNON radio studios at 9 AM. He will be heard by the 9-county area at 89.3 FM and around the world on the internet from http://knon.org. The call-in number for the program is 972-647-1893.

Levy will roll up his shirtsleeves along with the KNON radio hosts and dozens of volunteers at 1936 Pendleton Drive in Garland after the radio show.

Celebrate With Us Tuesday Night!

Working people's volunteers will celebrate together as we watch the returns on election night. We'll  show our optimistic view and pride in our work as we impact elections while building the labor movement. Jennifer Fulbright is planning a victory party with all the trimmings at VFW Post 6796, 9179 Garland Road, Dallas 75218. We start at 6 PM. Please join us!

Big Money Versus Shoe Leather in Neave Campaign Labor's candidate for state rep in the Garland area, Victoria Neave, is being far outspent by the Republican incumbent, The following is excerpted from today's Dallas Morning News: "October campaign finance reports show that Sheets has $232,059 in cash on hand, more than double Neave’s $84,291. The race has been the most expensive in the state, followed by another hotly contested race in a neighboring Dallas County district, according to the Texas Tribune. Victoria Neave, the Democratic candidate for Texas House District 107, works phone banks at her campaign office in Garland. (Anja Schlein/Special Contributor) 'Neave’s upstart campaign is backed by Democratic groups such as Annie’s List, Battleground Texas and the Lone Star Project. Locally, her major donors include Dallas businessman Jorge Baldor and the law office of Eberstein & Witherite. 'Lone Star Project declined to specify an amount spent on behalf of Neave’s campaign. Garry Jones, the group’s communications director, said that money has been spent on ad buys on Facebook and Instagram to target “voters in the district who know that Ken Sheets is a Republican, but not about his legislative record.” 'The majority of Sheets’ campaign contributions come from various industry committees. He has also received major donations from Harlan Crow and Ross Perot Jr. 'The Sheets campaign has spent over $250,000 running ads on cable channels in the district and as pre-roll advertising on online videos, according to a campaign spokesman. 'Those campaign dollars are helping fund a blitz of television and direct mail ads..." No Truth to Rumors on Fair Trade Dallas AFL-CIO leader Mark York has checked up an internet rumor charging that Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson claimed that Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton had made misleading statements about her position on fair trade. The participants on the meeting in question agree that it never happened. No such statement was made.

More Labor Actions Coming Up

All progress in American history came from organized workers. Anyone who wants future progress should consider working with the labor movement. To be reminded of our many public activities, make yourself a “student” in our labor relations program by texting “@laborrel” to the phone number “81010.”

Nov 4: Last day to early vote

Nov 5, 9:30A: Breakfast & GOTV from 1936 Pendleton Drive in Garland, TX 75041 with Dallas AFL-CIO. Contact Lorraine at 214-448-1557

Nov 5, 9A: Breakfast & GOTV from IUEC Local 21, 1924 Baird Farm Road in Arlington 76006 with Tarrant AFL-CIO. Contact Laura at 1-817-284-1461

Nov 5, 6:30 - 9PM: Fort Worth Fair Wage Committee will picket with the striking musicians at Bass Performance Hall, 525 Commerce St, Fort Worth, TX 76102. Contact either Karen Hall (817-456-3584) or Jeff Hall (817-707-8173)

Nov 7: 1-3P: Retiree phone  banking from 334 Centre in Oak Cliff. Followed by limited polling location sign distribution. Contact Judy Bryant at 214-729-0063

Nov 7, 5:30-8P: Phone Banking from 1408 N Washington. Followed by giant Election day polling location sign distribution from 1408 N WashingtonNov 8, 6-9P: Labor’s election watch party at VFW Post 6796, 9179 Garland Rd, Dallas 75218. Contact Jennifer at 214-826-4808.

--Gene Lantz, Press Secretary