The Dallas AFL-CIO Central Labor Council meeting on January 19 took place with a background of union success. The Bureau of Labor Statistics announced 273,000 new members, with 64,000 of them in Texas. Texas also increased in union density last year. Yet another area Starbucks, this one in Flower Mound, voted to join Starbucks Workers United.
Several speakers, most notably George Rangel of the Alliance/AFT education workers, spoke up for increased solidarity and more public visibility for labor’s united efforts.
We agreed to support the Bakers and Confectioner’s union (BCTGM) in their struggle in Iowa. We will send a letter of solidarity and a modest donation. We also agreed to push the Dallas City Council to accept recommendations to successfully end the “digital divide” in broadband access.
CWA member Britni Cuington asked unionists to demand that City Council members provide the best computer access to underserved neighborhoods while using professionally trained workers. Fair access will surely be an issue in the upcoming Dallas City Council candidate screenings.
A majority of the delegates enthused about our participation in the Dallas MLK march and parade on January 16.
Labor Stands Out
Steelworker Lou Luckhardt organized the biggest and best labor participation in over 30 years for the Dallas MLK march and parade. Several AFL-CIO members, such as Earnest Tilley of CWA, Jeanne Schulze of AFGE, Rena Honea of Alliance/AFT, and especially Gerardo Contreras of UAW made outstanding contributions. Thousands admired the labor contingent!
There are many more pictures on Facebook. All activists, union or not union, are encouraged to get involved with labor.
MORE ACTIONS COMING UP
Jan 21-27: "Week of Action" for diplomacy to end the war in Ukraine. Dallas Peace and Justice Center https://dpjc.org/contact-us
Jan 21: Election day in Farmers Branch
Jan 26, 3P: “Making Our Case: Best Practices for Lobbying Our Elected Officials” training event by Alliance for Retired Americans. click here to RSVP
Jan 28, 3-5P: Celebration of the 85th anniversary of the Pecan Shellers’ Strike at Cassiano Park, 1728 Potosi, in San Antonio
Jan 31: Postmark deadline for affiliated union-family high school seniors to apply for a Texas AFL-CIO scholarship
Jan 31: Postmark deadline for Union Plus scholarships. Scholarship awards range from $500-$4,000 and are available to union members and their families to begin or continue their college education