Dallas Labor News September 9, 2016

Labor Day Breakfast Was Best Ever

The Dallas AFL-CIO Labor Day Breakfast was the biggest ever. We had more participants than the Dallas Democrats had at their lunchtime event. We ran out of tickets, seats, and parking spaces! Our big crowd heard the tribute the the great American Federation of Teachers leader Linda Bridges. Sherron Molina of CWA 6150 was the first recipient of the Linda Bridges Award for outstanding women in labor. Dallas AFT leader Rena Honea was honored as labor's hero.

On the Saturday before Labor Day, AFL-CIO leader Mark York was interviewed on Channel 11 just before he and State Rep District 107 candidate Victoria Neave led a spirited Labor Day march down Martin Luther King Blvd. Many photos are on our Dallas AFL CIO Facebook Page. Click here for extensive coverage of the weekend.

Pension Crisis Hits Dallas City Employees

The Dallas Newspaper says that the City Employee pension fund, like the Firefighters Fund and the Police Officers Fund, is in trouble. They plan a proposal on the November ballot to cut pension payments! Last month, Teamsters Local 745 held a major rally opposing deep cuts proposed in their pension plan. CWA President Chris Shelton and about 50 CWAers joined more than a thousand members of the United Mine Workers Union and other union activists at a Capitol Hill rally this week. They called on Congress to keep America's promise to thousands of retired miners and spouses by funding the UMWA pension fund.

Millions of retirees are being threatened with these cuts, and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, which is supposed to insure American workers' pensions, is itself way underfunded! The Texas Alliance for Retired Americans Educational Fund intends to gather our forces and fight!

Symphony Workers on Strike

The Fort Worth Symphony Musicians turned down a tentative contract offer that included continued cuts in their income. North Texans are closely watching their web site for ways that we can get behind their strike.

"Runaway Inequality" Class Set for September 17

At the Labor Day Breakfast, Herb Keener of CWA 6215 announced that he will teach a public class on the popular new book, "Runaway Inequality" at noon on September 17 at 1408 N Washington. The book details the disastrous government policies that have led to a general downturn in all aspects of American workers' standard of living. It points the way forward for progressive action to restore our rights and living conditions.

Gigantic Prisoner Strike Expected

The Nation announces that the largest prisoner strike in American history may begin today. Prisoners in 24 states are expected to protest their food and other conditions. American workers make common cause with convicts in opposing privatization and prison work that takes away jobs. 

The book "Runaway Inequality" has a chapter on "Incarceration Nation." It shows that the United States holds many more prisoners than any other nation -- more than Russia, more than Saudi Arabia, and more than China!  

More Actions Coming Up

Sep 10, 8:30A-1P: Service Employees (SEIU) national political campaign kickoff at 2639 Walnut Hill Ln #203 Dallas, TX 75229. Contact Maria Nuno-Estrada or (469) 853-3931

Sep 10, (evening): Join Texas Equal Access Fund and other reproductive rights organizations for a night of music and celebration at All Access: Dallas at RBC in Deep Ellum.

Sep 10, 12 noon: “Voting Rights Update” event with Congressman Veasey and others at St. Luke “Community” United Methodist Church, 5710 E. R L Thornton Frwy. - Dallas, TX 75223, “Children & Youth Building”

Sep 14: National call in day to oppose "Trans Pacific Partnership" (TPP). A message will be sent to trade activists on our email list asking them to call 1-855-712-8441 and tell their members of Congress to publicly oppose the TPP and work to stop a lame-duck vote.  If you have any questions or updates on where members of Congress stand on the TPP, please contact AFL-CIO National Campaign Coordinator Scott Reynolds

Sep 14, 7P: 2nd Wednesday labor/community mobilization committee at 1408 N Washington. Contact Gene Lantz

Sep 15, 7:30P: Dallas Central Labor Council for Affiliated Members at 1408 N Washington

Sep 16: Deis y seis Mexican holiday

Sep 16, 10A-10P: Dallas Peace Music Festival in Klyde Warren Park -- Dallas Peace Center

Sep 17, 12 noon: Herb Keener class on "Runaway Inequality" -- the book that explains America's crisis and guides us to a solution. At 1408 N Washington. 214-543- 3078 

Sep 18, noon: Dallas Pride Parade -- with the Dallas Stonewall Democrats. Jay Narey admin. Cedar Springs Road & Wycliff Avenue

Sep 18, 9:30-10Apm: Voter Registration mobilization. Meet at 1408 N. Washington for shuttle ride. Contact Herb Keener 214-543- 3078

Sep 24, 9A-4P: Coalition of Labor Union Women state conference at 1106 Lavaca in Austin. Registration is $85. Contact Sherron Molina 

Oct 24 - Nov 4: Early Voting for the 2016 General Election -- Dallas County locations and times will be posted at http://www.dallascountyvotes.org/

Nov 8: General Election -- 7 AM - 7 PM

--Gene Lantz, Press Secretary