Dallas labor and our allies will throw ourselves into the final push to make history in the June 8 election. If we get the turnout, we can expect victories for the key candidates for working families:
- Scott Griggs for Mayor of Dallas
- Phillip T. Kingston for City Council District 14
- Erin Moore for City Council District 9
- Carolyn King Arnold In District 4.
Political Director Lorraine Montemayor is organizing our many efforts from 1408 N Washington in East Dallas beginning at 10AM Saturday. If you can’t get there, contact lmontemayor.dallasaflcio@gmail.com or 214-448-1557 to see how you can help. She explains on video at https://www.facebook.com/dallasaflcio/videos/446110199520014/
Democracy Gets Good News
Even though big corporate money has stacked up against working people, there are signs that democracy will prevail. The turnout in the first round of voting was 9.8% -- a very low turnout but far above the last mayoral race and above predictions of 6-7%. The Dallas newspaper acknowledged that turnout in the early vote for the runoff was even higher than in May. An increase in runoff votes is almost unprecedented and may well mean that democracy will triumph over big money!
The last-day effort may be the most critical. Be sure that everyone has voted. Use rideshare2vote.com, 888-977-2250, to overcome any transportation problems. After the polls close, we’ll be watching election returns with labor’s mayoral candidate at Longhorn Ballroom, 216 Corinth in Dallas
Labor Day Tickets Are On Sale
The Dallas AFL-CIO continues with one of the biggest Labor Day events in the state. We set an attendance record last year and we intend to be even bigger this September. Tickets to the breakfast are on sale now. Contact Lewis Fulbright at LFulbri649@aol.com or 214/212-3311.
Time to Organize
Please Sign up to help with organizing projects in our area.
History shows that most organizing happens when anger is high and unemployment is low. The national unemployment rate is 3.6% as of June 7, and protests are many (see below). National AFL-CIO leader Liz Schuler says that we have an historic opportunity, right now, for organizing unions!
Our web site has a lot of helpful information on organizing. A good way to evaluate our possibilities is to analyze what our enemies are thinking: The Republican-run state House in West Virginia will take up legislation on June 17 to boost charter schools and vouchers to parents of private school kids, outlaw public school teacher strikes, fire all public workers—not just teachers—who strike, and withhold pay from strikers. The State Senate approved the bill on an 18-15 party line vote on May 30. The CEO of Walmart has called for an increase in the federal minimum wage.
Excitement is in the air for working people. The Sky Chef employees at American Airlines have affirmed their willingness to go on strike. National Fight for $15 says that McDonald’s workers are striking. Teachers are showing the way to success. Our side needs you! Sign up to help!
Digital Organizing Matters
An initial digital organizing class took place last week and has already yielded results. The Dallas AFL-CIO Facebook Page shows an uptick of 238% in “likes,” “reach” is up 1229%, “engagements” is up 315%, and “videos” is up 6,522%. Our work on Twitter and Instagram has also improved.
The digital organizing committee stands ready to assist labor’s efforts. Join us!
More Actions Coming Up
Jun 8, 6P: Scott Griggs campaign will have its watch party at Longhorn Ballroom, 216 Corinth in Dallas
Jun 12, 7P: #MedicareForAll Dallas Organizing Kickoff at BuzzBrews Kitchen, 4334 Lemmon Av, Dallas 75219.
Jun 13, 7P: Dallas Peace & Justice Center Annual Awards Banquet at Crowne Plaza Dallas Market Center.
Jun 14: Possible general strike in Brazil
Jun 14, 6:30P and Jun 15, 5P: Celebrate Juneteenth at 2012 Spikes Street, Grand Prairie
Jun 15: National day to oppose elder abuse
Jun 15, 8A: Dallas Peace & Justice activists depart from 9125 Diceman Drive, Dallas, by bus to oppose HB3557, which restricts our right to protest
Jun 15: Fort Worth Juneteenth Parade & Festival at Tarrant County College, South Campus, 5301 Campus Dr, Fort Worth
Jun 15, 10A: Coffee and Politics 101 discusses Dallas AFL-CIO at African American Museum of Dallas, 3536 Grand Av, Dallas 75210
Jun 15: Women’s March is calling for nationwide marches to impeach Trump
June 19, 11A-1P: “Barbecue and Politics” 2019 election update with Texas AFL-CIO and North Texas labor allies at IBEW Local 20, 684 W Tarrant Rd, Grand Prairie
Jun 19, 2P: City of Dallas Juneteenth Celebration at Martin Luther King Jr Center, 2922 MLK BLVD
Jun 19, 5:30P: Juneteenth celebration at Tarrant County College, Northeast Campus, 828 W Harwood Rd, Hurst TX
Jun 19: History and Celebration of Juneteenth at The Hall of State, 3939 Grand Av, Dallas
Jul 25-27: Texas AFL-CIO Convention in San Antonio. Book hotel at https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/group-booking/SATRS/G-TAFL
