Primary election results indicate that labor activists have hard work ahead to get Texas voters to wake up and take action. The Dallas newspaper estimated that only 17.5% of Texas’ 17 million registered voters turned out statewide. Only 15.3% voted in Dallas County. The figures would be even worse if they considered all “eligible” voters instead of “registered.”
All of this year’s Texas labor endorsements went to Democrats, but Republican turnout was 1.9 million while only 1 million Democrats voted in the governor’s race. The Texas Alliance for Retired Americans took cheer from statistics showing a new trend: Democrats used vote-by-mail far more than Republicans.
The Dallas AFL-CIO endorsed candidate outcomes are listed on our web site. We had 17 wins, 7 losses, and 8 candidates in runoffs. 23 labor-endorsed candidates won by being unopposed. Door-to-door canvassing and phone banking will continue. We expect to win in November because we must!
March is Women’s History Month
Older labor activists can remember when almost all political candidates were men. Election results indicate that 18 labor-endorsed women and 20 men won in Dallas. The top Democratic vote-getter in the highly-publicized Attorney General’s race was Rochelle Mercedes Garza with over 43%.
Joe Biden Is Labor Champion
“President Biden’s first State of the Union was the latest reminder that working people have a champion in words, actions and every way possible." --Liz Shuler, AFL-CIO President.
The Economic Policy Institute credited federal relief dollars for the quick economic turnaround after the COVID recession. They compare a 2-year recovery to the 10 years it took to restore the economy after the 2008 recession. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported March 4 that we had more gigantic job gains.
In his State of the Union Address, Biden indicated favoritism for union-organized auto plants. The next day, Tesla founder Elon Musk invited the UAW to organize!
More Actions Coming Up
Mar 5, 11A: National on-line “Teach In” on ending the global pandemic. Register here
Mar 6, 2P: “Peace in Ukraine! No to Nato!” demonstration on the Grassy Knoll 411 Elm, Dallas
Mar 8: International Women’s Day
Mar 8: President Biden to visit Fort Worth
Mar 11: Next possible government shutdown
Mar 13, 6P: Demonstration at Dallas City Hall for global pandemic help
Mar 19: Senate Districts 16 and 23 meet. Register here
Mar 21: Confirmation hearings to begin on Katanji Brown Jackson for Supreme Court
Apr 23: The National Nurses United union national day of action to support Medicare for All
Apr 28, "Shoot For The Cure" at Greystone Castle Sporting Club in Mingus, Texas. Sponsored by OPEIU 277 and UFCW 1000
May 1: International Workers Day. Contact Steelworkers