News

Labor Leads, Please Join In!

Gene Lantz, President
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During the July 17 Dallas AFL-CIO Central Labor Council meeting, it was noted that our Council occupies an important position in the American labor movement. Among our active members, we count two of the most critical leaders of unions protecting federal employees, the largest educator’s union in the state, and public and private unions who are facing off against autocracy.

Fight for Democracy!

Principal officer Lou Luckhardt started his report by beseeching everyone to call Congress for labor’s legislation to overturn what the Texas AFL-CIO has branded, “the single biggest act of union-busting in American history!”

Call Congress

He also pointed out that labor will be fighting hard for our members during the Texas Legislature Special Session that begins Monday and threatens further erosion of people power through more redistricting.

Learn Organizing While Enjoying a Free Movie

Vice President Bonnie Mathias urged everyone to attend the free showing of the documentary movie “Union” at 12:30 PM Sunday, July 20, at the Texas Theater. 231 W Jefferson in Oak Cliff. After the film, she has assembled a top panel of union and community organizers for discussion. Texas Organizing Project sponsored this opening of the KNON film festival.

Safety on the Job

The Workers Defense Project, members of the Auto Workers Union, spoke up for their continued fight for construction workers. Veronica Alvarez and DJ Garza called for everyone to attend a rally at 9AM on August 5th at the Dallas County Commissioners Court, 500 Elm in downtown Dallas. For more information, contact Veronica at 214-984-6480.

Veronica Alvarez and DJ Garza

 

Youth Keeps The Fires Burning

Four members of the Young Active Labor Leaders urged all union members and supporters to sign up for their convention. They have postponed it to September 5-7 at the downtown Convention Center in order to draw more statewide delegates. They thanked all the supporters and donors who are already on board, including the Texas Alliance for Retired Americans who had just announced their donation of $300.

Political Committee Work is Outstanding

Our Political Committee under Director Earnest Tilley has been conducting follow-up interviews with City Councilpersons who, before their election, signed a pledge to meet quarterly with labor. The interviews have been congenial and positive. Jobs, wages, and workplace fairness are discussed while we build vital constructive relationships.

Important Work Just Ahead

Under “Reports from Local Unions,” Alliance/AFT President Rena Honea emphasized the importance of attending the upcoming Dallas School Board meeting. Wear red and stand up for decent treatment for educators! 

Justin Chen, firebrand leader from the union protecting Environmental Protection Agency workers in Dallas, announced that he had won the national presidency for his union. Their Instagram account has his latest update. 

President Justin Chen

Dallas AFL-CIO now includes top leaders of two of the most critical federal unions in America, Sheria Smith from the Education Department, and Chen from EPA. The fight over union busting in the federal workforce is the major battle in the war for American democracy today. Dallas solidarity efforts are primary for the entire nation!

Work With Us!

Plans for our own prestigious Dallas Labor Day Breakfast are going well. Contact Jason Tomlinson at jtomlinson.dallasaflcio@gmail.com.

Dallas Labor Day Breakfast

 

In the Communications Report on July 17, everyone was asked to get labor supporters into our communications network. Truth and useful information are becoming rare commodities in America. Responsible unions are maintaining their own news systems. http://aflcio.org, http://texasaflcio.org and our own http://texasaflcio.org/dallas can connect you to newsletters and social media. The "Workers Beat" radio program, 9AM Saturdays on knon.org and 89.3FM, is hosted by officers of our Central Labor Council. Associated podcasts are named "Workers Beat Extra" on knon.org.

Need More Information?

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

Jul 20: 12:30P: KNON film festival begins with free showing of “Union” at the Texas Theater, 231 W Jefferson in Oak Cliff

Jul 21: Texas Legislature special session begins on a half-dozen agenda items, including unfair redistricting

Jul 30: Anniversary of Medicare/Medicaid and the beginning of the end of segregation in health care

Aug 5, 9A: "Building with Dignity" rally for construction worker safe ty at the Dallas County Commissioners Court, 500 Elm in downtown Dallas. For more information, contact Veronica at 214-984-6480

August 6, 12:30P: Dallas Chapter of Texas Alliance for Retired Americans meets at 334 Centre in Dallas. Contact Judy4tara@aol.com or 214-729-0063

Aug 14, 9:30A: Solidarity for Social Security rally at Social Security Office, 2530 S Malcolm X Blvd. Contact judy4tara@aol.com

Aug 14, 2nd Thursday, 11A: Retiree on-line update. Contact Genelantz19@gmail.com. If you haven't registered already, register here

Aug 18, 1P: Rally for fair contract with PSA AFA-CWA flight attendants at DFW Terminal E Upper Level, South Entrance Sidewalk. Details and RSVP Here! https://actionnetwork.org/event_campaigns/afa-psa-august-18-day-of-action. Info: danasweat@afapsa.org

Sep 5-7: YALL state convention in Dallas Convention Center