Things You Can Do Now
Dallas Is A Focus of the War Against Working Families
The Dallas Black Dance Theater management has joined the legal effort to destroy the National Labor Relations Board. The richest man in the world, Elon Musk, had begun earlier to take away the fundamental rights of American working families.
What was previously a local labor battle has now become an essential part of a national war against all our rights. The Board was established under the Roosevelt Administration to protect workers against unrestrained corporations. With appointments from the Biden Administration, it has moved in our direction. For example, it recently outlawed “captive audience” meetings that employers have used for years to wear down organizing drives. Without the Board, most workers would have virtually no legal protection.
Dallas labor’s principal officer, Lou Luckhardt, urges all working families to help the Fired Dancers in their struggle. “Any time they are doing something,” he said in reference to the theater management, “we need to be there picketing.”
The next opportunity comes at 11AM Monday, November 25 at 2700 Ann Williams Way. You are urged to come and bring your friends, even if you have to take off work!
Things You Can Do Now
The November 21 AFL-CIO Central Labor Council outlined strategies for our side in a war against working families. Principal officer Lou Luckhardt said, “Solidarity is the only way we are going to save our unions.”
Luckhardt was echoing the general thrust of a nationwide webinar with AFL-CIO leaders from the previous day. In that meeting, labor’s national Secretary Treasurer, Fred Redmond, said that an “endless series of fights are ahead of us.” Redmond emphasized: “Our top priority is to stay together.”
During the meeting, the labor leaders went over a chart of “The Road to Fascism.” Even though Trump pretended to be unfamiliar with Project 2025 during his campaign, NBC News ran this headline today: “Trump's transition team turns to Project 2025 after disavowing it during the campaign”
Our fight back must be immediate, strong, and unified with all unions and our allies. Our immediate concern is a strong picket for the Fired Dancers on Monday.
There are major concerns during the present lame duck session of Congress. The Steelworkers ask us to push to get the lame duck congress to fill the empty seats on the National Labor Relations Board: Tell Your U.S. Senators to Confirm NLRB Nominees Now!
Teachers and other public servants particularly want the “Social Security Fairness Act” brought to the Senate floor for a positive vote. We are asked to call our Texas Senators. Send Senators Cornyn and Cruz a message telling them to support this critical legislation HERE. Senator Schumer must be pressured to call for a vote. Tony Chenevert supplied his number: 202-224-6542.
HR9495 would empower government to shut down any organization they don’t like. The AFL-CIO asks us to oppose it on-line: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/tell-your-reps-vote-no-on-hr-9495-nonprofits-are-not-terrorist-organizations?source=direct_link&
Steelworkers are organizing in Mesquite and Lou Luckhardt needs volunteers for the shift changes on December 12 and 13. The Young Active Labor Leaders will focus on the 5:30-6:30 time, but Luckhardt particularly needs volunteers for the 5-6:30AM time. 2,000 employees are involved.
DJ Garza of Workers Defense reported on efforts to get ready for the workplace raids and mass deportations planned by the incoming President. She is speaking at every possible opportunity to organize resistance. Meanwhile, Lou Luckhardt announced that the AFL-CIO is working with the Mexican-American Bar Association to create a Citizenship Forum to help green-card holders become citizens. It takes place 9AM to 3PM on January 11 at Alliance/AFT, 334 Centre. Volunteers are needed.
Atrocious anti-worker, anti-women, and anti-school children bills are already on file for the Texas Legislature that begins in January. State Rep Jessica Gonzalez told the November 21 Central Labor Council, “It’s a fight! It’s an even bigger fight in the next session, and I already have my gloves on.” Afterward, by text, she confirmed her backing for the Fired Black Dancers with this statement “The skilled artists that make Dallas' Black Dance Theater one of the most unique dance troupes in the country -- they are entitled to the right to organize, strike and negotiate with their employer. Dallas won't stand for union busting -- we're a union town. I'll always support workers in their pursuit of fairness and justice, and I am proud to stand with the fired workers of the Dallas Black Dance Theater!”
MORE ACTIONS COMING UP
Nov 25, 11A: Picket with the Fired Black Dancers at 2700 Ann Williams Way. Bring your friends and start creating the progressive coalition we must have!
Dec 3: The Quality of Life, Arts and Culture committee will meet on Dec. 3 to discuss the advisory group’s feedback about union busting. The recommendation would then go to a vote in the next Dallas City Council meeting.
Dec 4, 12:30A: Dallas Chapter of Texas Alliance for Retired Americans meets at 334 Centre for holiday dinner. RSVP to judy4tara@aol.com. There will be no on-line access this month.
Dec 12, 11A: Covered dish luncheon at 2218 E Main in Grand Prairie
Dec 18&19, 7:30: Fired Black Dancers Benefit performance at Latino Cultural Center. Buy $35 tickets
Dec 31: Possible government shutdown
Jan 3: New Congress sworn in
Jan 11, 9A-3P: Citizens Clinic for green-card holders who want to be citizens and people who want to help them at 334 Centre. Contact lluckhardt.dallasaflcio@gmail.com
Jan 18: Women’s march “DC and Everywhere” Donations
Jan 20: New President sworn in
Jan 25, 2P: Debates for candidates for Texas Democratic Party Chair either at the LBJ Ranch or via Zoom. Click here to RSVP.
Feb 24-27: 2025 Construction Working Minds Summit, at the Sheraton Arlington Hotel, 1500 Convention Center Drive. More info