"When Unions Rise, Fascists Fall"
"When unions rise, fascists fall!" -- Dallas labor's principal officer Lou Luckhardt
Delegates were upbeat at the October 16 Dallas Labor Council meeting. Everybody was excited about joining the “No Kings” rally on Saturday. We’re growing and getting more optimistic as we struggle forward. We’re also having a pretty good time!
Principal Officer Lou Luckhardt reported about our labor table at the Dallas rally at noon in Pacific Plaza. He underlined the importance of the day and said, “This is a national movement!” Top labor speakers Justin Chen and David Marshall will be speaking. Marshall said that the Communications Workers of America will emphasize the national boycott against T-Mobile. Some of our delegates will participate in some of the other 16 rallies and marches nearby. Judy Bryant said that all seven active retiree chapters will be at Texas events.
Chris Harrison, an opera singer, brought news that the American Guild of Musical Artists will become a new affiliate. Britt Dean, new president of American Federal Government Employees Local 1003, hailed the great progress they have made since former President Jeanne Schulze made them leaders of the labor federation.
Dean and other speakers talked about the excellent news conference organized by AFGE’s Justin Chen at the CWA hall the previous Friday. Chen and other major labor leaders were joined by State Representative Terry Meza and Congressman Marc Veasey. They received extensive news coverage, including the front cover of the Dallas newspaper!
Alliance/AFT organizing champion Stu Becker made a motion that we support the petition against “Real Page.” It is a local company that uses a computer algorithm to raise rents. The delegates agreed.
Another Young American Labor Leader, Derrick Moran, announced an “End of Summer Social” for 1PM on October 25 at Vandergriff Park, 2800 S Center in Arlington.
Les Cunningham of Texas State Employees Union brought up the fight to save our First Amendment right to speak. The Texas State Federation is organizing labor communicators to confront the enemy on this front. Good news came from mainstream news agencies who had stood up against the Department of War.
Political Director Earnest Tilley and Retiree Representative Judy Bryant asked everyone available to attend our rally at 600 Commerce at 10 AM on October 20, the first day of in-person early voting.
Our Political Committee took the initiative of recommending a “for” vote on Propositions 1, 4, 7, 11, 13, 14 on the November 4 ballot. They recommended “against” on all the others. They weren’t neutral about anything, and the delegates agreed. Tilley also talked about our statewide success in helping California voters find out about their redistricting proposition and in boosting union member Taylor Rehmet (http://taylorfortx.com) for Senate District 9.
Even though the challenges may seem dark and dismal to some, our Dallas labor movement is generating positive news and good attitudes!
Need More Information?
- Political Committee Earnest Tilley keeps track of all Dallas labor activities: etilley2006@yahoo.com
- Texas Alliance for Retired Americans: Judy Bryant judy4tara@aol.com
- Young Active Labor Leaders: Stu Becker stubecker89@gmail.com
- Donnie Jolly of ATU: donniejolly@yahoo.com
- Katina Range of APWU: katinarange@dallasapwu.org
- Rena Honea of Alliance/AFT: rena@alliance-aft.org
- Dallas AFL-CIO web site: http://texasaflcio.org/dallas
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 17-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 Medicare Advantage plans to Medicare with Medigap
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, 10A: Rally for first day of early voting in person at 600 Commerce downtown
Oct 20, 6p: Union Text Bank for Taylor Rehmet for SD 9 Hosted by Texas AFL-CIO & Tarrant County Central Labor Council Virtual, RSVP here!
Oct 22, 6:30P: Training for Deputy Voter Registrar at CWA Union Hall, 1408 N Washington. Contact etilley2006@yahoo.com
Oct 24: Last Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail (received, not postmarked)
Oct 25, 1P: End of Summer Social at Vandergriff Park, 2800 S Center in Arlington. Contact derrickmoran1@gmail.com
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