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"Time to Step Up"

Gene Lantz, President
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“This is a time when we have to step up!” – Texas AFL-CIO Secretary Treasurer Leonard Aguilar

The Texas AFL-CIO conducted their weekly update on the situation for public employees on the morning of October 3. It’s not only about federal workers now. Leaders from the Laborers Union and Letter Carriers, neither of which is on furlough, talked about how their members are affected. Secretary-Treasurer Leonard Aguilar said, “This is affecting everybody.” He called on all Central Labor Councils to pull together.

Texas leader Leonard Aguilar

Several public actions are planned around the state, but the overriding opportunity for labor is the No Kings day of protest October 18. Organizers are already claiming that they have more protests scheduled than they had last time. See their map of growing events at http://nokings.org. Turnout records are about to be broken!

Retirees are Front Line

The Dallas Chapter of Texas Alliance for Retired Americans met on October 1, the day after the shutdown began and the President of the United States told all the military leaders that they should practice their war-making skills in American cities.

Kenneth Williams of Dallas TARA

As the main issue dividing America today is health care, retirees have been moved to the front lines of the battle. Dallas President Kenneth Williams told the retirees to show leadership in this fight wherever possible. They will be participating fully with the AFL-CIO in the fightback and will be prominent at No Kings rallies and marches in Texas. 

Jobs Report: No News Is Not Good

The usual first-Friday jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics was not published. Since Trump fired the chief statistician two months ago, no one has been certain of the truthfulness of any government statistics. We may not see inflation statistics and third-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) stats this month, either.

The Washington Post, searching for any kind of indicators, says: “Data from payrolls processor ADP on Thursday showed that employment at private companies dropped by 32,000 in September, the largest decline in more than two years. Another report, from employment firm Challenger Gray & Christmas, showed that companies’ hiring plans are at their lowest level since 2009.” The Dallas newspaper said that three North Texas companies have filed papers indicating that they will lay off more than 200 people. When government leaders are proven liars, actual economic facts are hard to determine. One reliable economic indicator is the S&P stock index, which hit an all-time record high yesterday.

Elections Matter

The Texas AFL-CIO Committee on Political Education (COPE) has endorsed union member Taylor Rehmet for the special election in state Senate District 9. Unionists are asked to phone bank California voters over the redistricting issue from 7 to 10PM on October 15.

The sample ballots for the November 4 election are available from county elections departments. The deadline for voter registration is Monday. Seniors who vote by mail already have their ballots. 

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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

Oct 4, 2P: “Save Gaza Mega March” starts at Dallas City Hall, 1500 Marilla in Dallas

Oct 6: Last Day to Register to Vote for the November 4 election

Oct 10, 6P: Allison Tanner of American Friends Service Committee speaks on Palestine at Oak Cliff Unitarian, 3839 W Kiest Blvd

Oct 11, 1:30: Allison Tanner of American Friends Service Committee speaks on Palestine at Trinity Presbyterian, 2200 Bell Av in Denton

Oct 12, 12:30P: Allison Tanner of American Friends Service Committee speaks on Palestine at First Unitarian, 4015 Normandy Av

Oct 15, 7-10PM: Phone banking to California voters to support the passing of Prop 50 which will redraw the map in this state. Please sign up here

Oct 15-Dec 7: Medicare provides an open enrollment period, current beneficiaries can assess aspects of their current Medicare plans, evaluate features of other plans offered in their area, and choose different coverage based on their needs. Patients are allowed to make updates like opting to switch from traditional Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan (or vice versa)

Oct 18, 12P: “No Kings Rally” at Pacific Plaza, 401 N Harwood in Dallas. There is an on-line map showing many more nearby demonstrations

Oct 18, 8A: “Funky Town Clay Shoot” and fund raiser for Tarrant County Central Labor Council at Alpine Range, Fort Worth

Oct 18, 1-6P: Steelworkers retiree talent show at 3626 Marvin D Love Freeway. Info 214-536-2850

Oct 20: First Day of Early Voting in person

Oct 24: Last Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail (received, not postmarked):

Oct 31: Last Day of Early Voting

Nov 4: Election Day

Nov 5, 12:30P: Dallas Chapter of Texas Alliance for Retired Americans meets at 334 Centre in Dallas. Contact Judy4tara@aol.com or 214-729-0063