Our Priorities -- Not Theirs!

Labor is setting priorities for 2023 at national, state, and local levels.

One of the biggest threats to working families comes from the way that inflation is being handled at the national level. December marked the 24th straight month of job growth. The Washington Post says, “However, economists predict the slowdown in the labor market will deepen this year, because Federal Reserve officials plan to keep raising interest rates to get inflation more under control.”

The Economic Policy Institute says this approach is totally wrong. High employment and wage gains are not causing inflation. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports: “Over the past 12 months, average hourly earnings have increased by 4.6 percent.” Inflation was far higher and is actually being driven up by corporate price gouging. Working families need meaningful action against the greedy and inflation protecting cost-of-living adjustments for salaries and pensions.

Since this letter was printed in the Dallas Morning News, Les Cunningham of the State Employees has pointed out that many other seniors need pensions with COLA. Janet Lusk of far North Dallas wrote another letter-to-editor saying that active working teachers and county employees should get a pay raise. Those are our kinds of priorities.

The Texas AFL-CIO generally sets labor's priorities when the legislature is in session. They write, "At the top of our priority list are issues like increasing access to healthcare coverage, improving gun safety, enhancing worker protections, and paying our teachers and school staff more –– to name a few. But our anti-union opposition has wasted no time making their goals clear. They want to roll back local protections for workers, restrict benefits, limit voting access, and more."

Central Labor Council meetings will set priorities for the local elections that are coming up. Candidates are just beginning to gather signatures to get on the ballot. Dallas unionists work hard to figure out the issues and support the best candidates. This year, Monday May 1st might be a good time to consider a march to the polls.

Results from Last Week's Prediction Poll

• Joe Biden will run strong for President (25%)
• Donald Trump will run strong for President (25%)
• Bernie Sanders will run strong for President (0%)
• Dallas Mayor and City Council incumbents will win their elections (62.5%)
• Kamala Harris will run strong for President (37.5%)
• Mike Pence will run strong for President (0%)
• Ron DeSantis will run strong for President (50%)
• There will be no recession in 2023 (25%)
• Unions will win more organizing elections than in 2022 (75%) 

More Actions Coming Up

Jan 6 (or anytime soon): A good day to apply for vote-by-mail and to renew deputy registrar status.

Jan 11, 12:30P: Dallas Chapter of TARA meets at AFT Hall, Bishop & Centre in Oak Cliff. To participate on line, register here. Everyone invited.  judy4tara@aol.com or 214-729-0063

Jan 13-16: Labor’s Civil and Human Rights Conference in Washington DC. Register 

Jan 16: MLK holiday. Dallas March & Parade. Contact Lou Luckhardt 
Lou.Luckhardt@dallascounty.org

Jan 18: First day for a candidates to file for Dallas City Council races

Jan 21: Election day in Farmers Branch