Labor Has Some Good Days
“May Day is our day. This day was born out of blood, sweat, tears and sacrifice, where workers refuse to be treated like machines.” -- Jaime Contreras, executive vp of the union 32BJ SEIU, while protesting at the White House
Commercial news outlets agreed that the U.S. had at least 1,000 May Day protests against Musk/Trump on Thursday, a work day. If they added all the other International Workers Day events from April 27, when Dallas had its main rally and march, to May 3, when the Dallas AFL-CIO gathers with our friends, the total number of protests would likely set historical records. Commercial news announced the number of individuals as "hundreds of thousands." People's World said "millions."
Protests were everywhere. Dallas labor endorsed the April 27 march and rally with at least 400, according to the paper. Tarrant County labor led an event with at least 300 on May Day, according to the Fort Worth paper. Dallas Chapter of Texas Alliance for Retired Americans held a picnic with 44 participating. “50501,” a very good national organization with no regard for building local coalitions, called another last-minute action for Thursday in Dallas. The newspaper said they had 250. There were other actions all over North Texas throughout the week, and we aren't finished!
If we hope to defeat the fascist trend in America, we are going to have to gather around working families and organized labor. The Dallas AFL-CIO indoor/outdoor picnic at 2 PM on May 3 at 2010 Postal Way is wide-open for everybody's participation. It takes us in the right direction!
The Trend Is Positive
Even though the commercial news reports indicate a big meaningless hodgepodge of protests, there are trends showing that the anti-Musk/Trump movement is beginning to come into focus. The April 27 Dallas event had a record 30 endorsers! Our own Rose Curts, speaking for Alliance/AFT and Dallas labor, was quoted in the Dallas paper telling people precisely how to win: join in with labor and our allies. She said, “None of us have the power to defeat oligarchy alone, but we’re so lucky because we already have a structure in place to unite us!”
In History, Labor Had a Bad Day
In thinking about the serious political situation in America as Musk/Trump attempts to rob and undermine the power of working families, consider today’s anniversary: On May 2, 1933, Hitler outlawed unions in Germany
Your Vote Accrues More Power
News reports indicate another dismal turnout for the May 3 elections. The upside is that your individual vote’s power increases when other people’s fighting spirit falters. The Dallas AFL-CIO will continue phone banking and canvassing right through May 3, then will recharge for any runoffs! Contact
Labor Report Still Good
Even though the Trump policies have succeeded in driving down major economic indicators, the labor market report for April indicates that unions can win more victories. 177,000 new jobs were created; the unemployment rate is steady at 4.2%, and wages have risen 3.8% over the past year.
Need More Information?
- Political Committee Earnest Tilley keeps track of all Dallas labor activities: etilley2006@yahoo.com
- Texas Alliance for Retired Americans: Judy Bryant judy4tara@aol.com
- Young Active Labor Leaders: Stu Becker stubecker89@gmail.com
- Donnie Jolly of ATU: donniejolly@yahoo.com
- Katina Range of APWU: katinarange@dallasapwu.org
- Rena Honea of Alliance/AFT: rena@alliance-aft.org
- Dallas AFL-CIO web site: http://texasaflcio.org/dallas
Join Our Solidarity Brigade
Click here to get updates whenever activists are needed. For text alerts, send the word "action" to the phone number 235246. Paste Bit.ly/DallasCLC?r=qr into your browser and join our Dallas political program. Everyone is encouraged to join the national Department of People Who Work for a Living. Please also subscribe to the Texas AFL-CIO weekly newsletter by writing to labor@texasaflcio.org. We are fighting for working families in every available arena.
MORE ACTIONS COMING UP
May 2, 6:30P (and every Friday): Protest Coordinating Committee meets on-line. All are welcome. Register (if you haven’t already)
May 2, 1933 in history: Hitler outlaws German unions
May 3: City and school board local elections
May 3, 8A: “2025 Dallas Cinco de Mayo Parade” starts at 223 Jefferson in Oak Cliff. - Register at https://oakcliffart.org/dallas... -
May 3, 9A: Block walking with Dallas AFL-CIO. etilley2006@yahoo.com
May 3, 10A: West Dallas GOTV block walk. https://www.dallasdemocrats.org/
May 3, 10A: North Dallas GOTV Block Walk
May 3, 2P: Dallas AFL-CIO Mayday celebration at APWU Hall, 2010 Postal Way
May 8, 11A: Covered dish luncheon at 2218 E Main in Grand Prairie. To participate on-line, register here
May 15, 6P: On-line meeting on Organizing Texas public schools. Register
May 17, 7:30P: Dallas Central Labor Council meeting for all affiliated union members at 1408 N Washington Ave
May 19, 7P: Gene Lantz speaks on labor at Metrocrest Democrats, 3822 Beltline Road, Addison, Texas. Contact robinson_kimmy@yahoo.com
Jun 4, 12:30P: Dallas Chapter of Texas Alliance for Retired Americans meets at 334 Centre in Dallas. Contact judy4tara@aol.com
Jun 7, 5P: “The International Situation” discussion at Pan African Connection, 4460 Marsalis
Jul 25-27: YALL state convention in North Texas