The Dallas AFL-CIO Central Labor Council on March 17 was the best-attended and smoothest of recent times. Reactionary Texas Republican vote-suppressors are only fanning the flames for our fiery campaigns on behalf of working families.
The meeting was both “in person” and “on-line.” National AFL-CIO representative Artie Blanco took over our electronics and made the meeting a success for everyone. She also roused the crowd with a wonderful presentation on the progressive purposes of the American labor movement. She said, “We are an expression of the aspirations and hopes of working people.”
The national organization’s commitment to Texas was reinforced when Blanco presented the new all-Texas organizer, Joe Montemayor. Montemayor is well known in Dallas as the former organizer for the state workers and as the husband of our former political director.
The labor leaders expanded our list of endorsed candidates with Johnny Bryant in Texas 114, Venton Jones in Texas 100, John Warren for County Clerk, and Andrew Sommerman for County Commissioner.
Lou Luckhardt of the Steelworkers Union presented the proposal for a May 1 picnic from 2 to 6 PM at Lake Cliff Park, 1100 Crawford Street in Oak Cliff. The park is just across the bridge from downtown Dallas. Unions and other progressives may donate $100 for a table, a short presentation, and a listing in the brochure. The vote was unanimously in favor. Contact Jason Thompson at jtomlinson.dallasaflcio@gmail.com. Checks go to "Dallas AFL-CIO" at 1408 N Washington #240, Dallas, TX 75204, or use our paypal account.
A number of ongoing campaigns were presented. The Communications Workers are working to get more broadband access. The Electricians Union and Building Trades are registering voters. The School Employees are standing up against racism at school board meetings. Solidarity of unionists and other progressives is the key. Solidarity wins!
MORE ACTIONS COMING UP
Mar 19 (and any day until October) Eligible Texans may register to vote and apply for annual vote-by-mail ballots
Mar 19: Senate District and County Democratic meetings. Register
Mar 21: Confirmation hearings to begin on Katanji Brown Jackson for Supremes
Mar 24, 6PM: Dallas School Board meeting
Mar 26: Door to door canvassing to get out the vote. Contact Marilyn Davis at marilyn@texasaflcio.org
Mar 26, 10A: Cesar Chavez March for Justice in San Antonio. 210-226-8447
Mar 30, 10A: Rally for Good Jobs in the Airline Industry sponsored by Workers United
Apr 6-8: UFCW goes to the national capitol
Apr 6, 7P: Author Joe Burns will speak on his new book, "Class Struggle Unionism" at 1408 N Washington. Pizza provided.
Apr 23: The National Nurses United union national day of action to support Medicare for All
Apr 25: Early voting begins for May constitutional referendum & municipal elections. Ends May 3
Apr 26: Deadline to receive vote by mail applications for May constitutional referendum and municipal elections
Apr 28: Workers Memorial Day to commemorate all the workers killed or injured on the job
Apr 28, "Shoot For The Cure" at Greystone Castle Sporting Club in Mingus, Texas. Sponsored by OPEIU 277 and UFCW 1000
May 1,2-6P: International Workers Day picnic at Lake Cliff Park, 1100 Crawford in Dallas. To rent a table, contact Jason Tomlinson at jtomlinson.dallasaflcio@gmail.com
May 7: May constitutional referendum & local elections, including school board
May 9: Donald J Trump will raise funds in Dallas
May 13: Deadline to receive vote by mail applications for Primary runoff election
May 16: Early voting begins for primary runoff election
May 24: Primary runoff election
Jul 22-24: Young Active Labor Leaders statewide meeting
Sep 9-10: Women's Summit
Oct 28: Deadline to receive vote-by-mail applications for general election
Nov 8: General election