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Gene Lantz, Dallas President
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Labor’s boycott tool is being sharpened during these holidays. Boycotts are powerful tactics, but need to be used thoughtfully because they have unintended consequences. We may want to hurt a certain corporation, but not the people who work there.

Official AFL-CIO boycotts are listed on their website. The boycott of T-Mobile phone service is listed. It was originated by the Communications Workers of America. They ask us to sign up on-line.

CWA says "boycott T-Mobile"

Our union siblings accuse T-Mobile of being union busters plus a whole lot more. Added to the charges are: supporting international fascism along with Elon Musk, supporting Trump’s budget bill that takes away health care, and resorting to racism to please Trump.

The union writes: “As Trump sends the military into our cities and disappears people off the streets, T-Mobile’s capitulation is unacceptable. Corporate America must stand up against authoritarianism and far right extremists like Elon Musk and the Trump regime.” 

Starbucks Workers Set a Pattern

The nationwide strike and boycott of Starbucks coffee shops may be the boost that working families need. Our Young Active Labor Leaders are turning out the troops for strategic picketing. Sign up to help and to find out the next action. Individuals and groups may want to leaflet Starbucks stores near them.

Starbucks leaflets are appearing everywhere

According to YALL leader Arash Farasat, we have 15 unionized Starbucks shops in DFW. The boycott, of course, extends to every one of their coffee shops anywhere. Brother Arash has been informing Dallas political leaders about the Starbucks fight when we have our quarterly on-line meetings with them. Political leaders are getting on board. On November 26, Arash received very positive feedback from Councilman Maxie Johnson. The same was true on November 27 with Councilwoman Lorie Blair.

When Starbucks workers win a decent contract, they will have demonstrated how national strikes and boycotts can work together to defeat many other giant union busting corporations.

Boycott Was a Real Guy

Lord Boycott was one of the Englishmen who was given domain over Irish lands around 1880. His tenants, like all the Irish, resented it. They decided to have nothing to do with the great Lord Englishman until things changed. They wouldn’t make his tea, plow his fields, tend his cattle, shine his shoes, or pick his cotton. Boycott went bankrupt and went back to England. The Irish were so happy with the powerful new tactic that they began using it everywhere. So do we.

Semi-official Boycotts May Also be Considered

A group that includes Black Voters Matter and Indivisible, the group sponsoring No Kings Day, is asking us to stop buying from Amazon, Target and Home Depot through the Thanksgiving weekend. There are various reasons, but racism is at the top. Tesla (sometimes called “swasticar”) is boycotted because of owner Elon Musk’s ties to international fascism. At least one group wants none of us to buy anything through New Years.

Donating to progressive causes instead of exchanging questionable gifts is worth considering. One could, for example, make a donation to labor’s candidate for Texas Senate in District 9, Taylor Rehmet, in honor of a friend, then let the friend know you have done it. That way, you have met your gift obligation, honored your friend, and boosted the progressive cause. That helps everybody.

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

Nov 27 through holidays or until we win: Barristas strike and boycott against Starbucks. Sign up to help

Nov 29: International Day in Solidarity with Palestinians

Nov 29, Noon: (and every Saturday) Protest dictatorship at corner of Mockingbird & Abrams

Nov 30: WNBA contract expires after 1 month extension

Nov 30, Noon: (And every Sunday) Protest dictatorship at corner of Jefferson & Zang in Oak Cliff. Contact Sophie at sdtex2006@gmail.com

Nov 30, Noon: (And every Sunday) Protest dictatorship at corner Buckner & Garland

Dec 3, 12:30PM: Dallas Chapter of Texas Alliance for Retired Americans meets at 334 Centre. Contact Judy at 214-729-0063

Dec 7: End of Medicare open enrollment period

Dec 8: Candidate filing period ends

Dec 12: Casino Night for Dallas AFL-CIO

fun night