The vote to endorse Kamala Harris at the AFL-CIO Executive Council was unanimous. A long line of individual unions also stepped up almost immediately. At an on-line leadership meeting on Wednesday, President Shuler and Secretary Treasurer Redmond outlined some of the things that Kamala Harris has already done for labor:
* Played a critical role in rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure, investing in good-paying union jobs, bringing manufacturing back to America, lowering prescription drug costs and raising wages
* Saved the pensions of more than 1 million union workers and retirees
* Led the Administration’s efforts to increase access to affordable child care and expand the child tax credit
* Championed worker organizing and chaired the White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment, where she championed for new worker organizing and training to create pathways to good union jobs
* Stood with striking writers
* As a U.S. Senator, she fought to expand labor protections and fair wages for agricultural and domestic workers and walked the picket line with the Auto workers (UAW). She was a vigorous advocate for workers’ freedom to form or join a union, including strongly supporting the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act to reform broken labor legislation that stacks the deck against workers.
* As Attorney General of California, she cracked down on corporate greed, took on the big banks after the 2008 financial crisis to deliver relief for struggling homeowners, and protected the most vulnerable workers by tackling wage theft and other corporate crimes.
Every union leader enthusiastically supported Harris. Retirees are on board, too. Shuler called the seniors our “secret weapon.” Lou Luckhardt of the Dallas AFL-CIO asked for videos that we can use, and Shuler said it was a great idea. Secretary Treasurer Fred Redmond said, “This is a time of historic unity!”
On Thursday, Kamala Harris spoke to the American Federation of Teachers convention in Houston. Applause interrupted her after almost every point she made, and the crowd chanted some of her sentences repeatedly. She thanked them for being the first of the many separate unions who have endorsed her. She blasted anti-labor politicians who would like to force America backward and said, “Ours is a fight for the future!”
Actions Underway
Kamala Harris raised record numbers of contributions and volunteers on her first campaign day. A quick TikTok video had 35 million viewers! North Texas activists are expressing their approval all over social media.
Volunteers are working with labor to strengthen our movement while working to win the election. A public speakout on the health care issue will take place outside 1408 N Washington at 11AM on Tuesday, July 30. It is the anniversary of Medicare/Medicaid. Speakers will appreciate Biden/Harris for lower drug prices and blast Texas politicians for failing to take free federal dollars to expand Medicaid. An op-ed in the Dallas newspaper estimated that 2050 Texans have died, and untold thousands have suffered, without the expansion. Volunteers will make short videos on health care to be promoted by labor’s on-line system. Everybody invited!
The biggest showing of labor's strength will be our Labor Day Breakfast on September 2. Sponsorships, ads, tables, and tickets are selling. Contact jtomlinson.dallasaflcio@gmail.com for info. Checks can be mailed to: 1408 N. Washington Ave. #240, Dallas, TX 75204; or paid online at https://square.link/u/Pfw3iALZ.
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MORE ACTIONS COMING UP
Jul 26, 7P: Vigil for Sonya Massey, killed by a deputy, at the grassy knoll
Jul 26-28: Starbucks Workers United asks us to have a “union strong” cup of coffee at a unionized Starbucks and encourage the barristas during negotiations. There’s a list of unionized shops. https://sbworkersunited.org/
Jul 27, 10A: Kickoff labor-endorsed Cassandra Hernandez campaign at 16850 Dallas Pkwy, Dallas, Texas 75248
Jul 28, 10A: “The Trial of Jane Elkins” and discussion on lynchings at Kiest Road Unitarian Church
Jul 29: Commemorate the Civil Rights Act of 1964. President Biden to speak in Austin
Jul 30, 11A: Speakout on a major issue: Healthcare. Bring your opinions to 1408 N Washington. For more info, contact genelantz@texasretiredamericans.org
Aug 7, 12:30A: Dallas meeting of Texas Alliance for Retired Americans will honor Judy Bryant and celebrate Social Security
Aug 14: Anniversary of Social Security
Aug 15, 7:30P: Central Labor Council meeting for all affiliated members at 1408 N Washington