A Lesson from France
One week ago, every pundit, seer and prognosticator in the world predicted that France was going fascist. Even after the first election returns came in, they said the anti-worker parties would be the victor. They lost big time. It makes a great story.
The pro-worker groups pulled together. They included the Socialists, the Communists, and, especially, the largest union federation. They put aside their petty resentments, their grudges, their personal ambitions and their egos. Some candidates even dropped out of races to strengthen the progressive side. They came in first. The middle fence sitters came in second. The anti-worker groups came in third and out of the running for forming a new government.
Let’s raise a glass or tip our hats to the French on Bastille Day, Sunday July 14th. Here in the United States, we are constricted by the two-party system. But we can still learn a lot by studying how the French voters rallied with their unions, and we can win in 2024!
Win in 2024
Your labor movement is already going far beyond talking. Dallas AFL-CIO Vice President Bonnie Mathias spoke to a group at UAW Local 848 in Grand Prairie on July 11. Political Director Earnest Tilley and Financial Secretary Lou Luckhardt asked everybody to volunteer for the election effort (sign up at Bit.ly/DallasCLC?r=qr). Dallas retiree leader Kenneth Williams addressed the issues for seniors. There’s a 25 minute video on our Facebook page.
The state labor federation is training activists. “Having Difficult Conversations” took place July 8. The next on-line training is Monday, July 22nd. Sign up at https://bit.ly/3WgCItd.
A “Speakout for Ridin’ with Biden and Harris” is planned for 11AM on July 30 outside 1408 N Washington. Every willing person will be asked to make a 1-minute (or so) video statement about winning in 2024. July 30 is the anniversary of Medicare/Medicaid; consequently, comments about the President’s successful efforts to lower drug prices will be especially appropriate. Ice cream is involved. Newspersons will be invited, of course.
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Click here to get updates whenever activists are needed. For text alerts, send the word "action" to the phone number 235246. For the best Texas labor news, write ed@texasaflcio.org. Paste Bit.ly/DallasCLC?r=qr into your browser and join our political program.
MORE ACTIONS COMING UP
Jul 12-13: Protests against right-wingers at Fort Worth Botanical Garden
Jul 14, 5P: Bastille Day celebration at Bishop Arts, 600 W Davis
Jul 18, 8:30A: Coffee with Your Congressman, Marc Veasey at Everman Civic Center, Everman, TX. District Offices in Dallas at (214) 741-1387 or Fort Worth at (817) 920-9086
Jul 18, 7:30P: Central Labor Council meeting for all affiliated members at 1408 N Washington
Jul 22 6P: Political training with Texas AFL-CIO on ZOOM. Register here https://bit.ly/4bE9ecW
Jul 30, 11A: Speakout on “Ridin’ with Biden and Harris.” Bring your opinions to 1408 N Washington. For more info, contact genelantz@texasretiredamericans.org
Aug 7, 12:30A: Dallas meeting of Texas Alliance for Retired Americans will honor Judy Bryant and celebrate Social Security at 334 Centre
Aug 14: Anniversary of Social Security