Labor’s candidate in Texas House District 100, Lorraine Birabil, swamped four other candidates in the first round election November 5. She took 33% of the vote with the next highest challenger getting 21%. She has a strong position and good name recognition going into the runoff, but she may be going up against a lot of dark money.
Turnout in Dallas county was only 9.74%, but that is higher than turnout in comparable recent elections. Nine of the ten Texas constitutional propositions passed.
National AFL-CIO says that the labor movement drove historic wins for pro-worker candidates like Governor-Elect Andy Beshear in Kentucky and new legislative majorities in Virginia. Not only did union members come out to vote in droves, 270 union member candidates were elected to public office. This adds to the total of more than 900 union members elected up and down the ballot in last year’s midterms, a product of the Union Member Candidate Program launched by the AFL-CIO just two years ago. The program will continue through 2020 and beyond, electing even more union members to public office.
Money Out of Elections!
The Dallas Chapter of Texas Alliance for Retired Americans heard Ann Drumm, a volunteer for American Promise, at their meeting on November 6. They are organizing to get city council resolutions in favor of a constitutional amendment to limit the ruinous effect of big money on our American democracy.
Drumm is available for other group presentations. A short video is on our Facebook Page. Please “like” the page while you are there.
Strike Wave Continues
After big successes of General Motors workers and Chicago educators, solidarity continues to grow. Kara Sheehan of Texas New Era/Jobs with Justice asks North Texans to join her in picketing for strike solidarity on Friday, November 8. She writes:
“UNITE HERE Local 40 in Vancouver is asking for folks to engage in solidarity pickets at local Rosewood hotels. Their hotel workers have been on strike for over 40 days and management is refusing to deal with the egregious issues of sexual harassment. There are also wage and job security concerns. We have a Rosewood hotel here in Uptown Dallas - it's called Rosewood Mansion and it's at 2821 Turtle Creek Blvd, Dallas, TX 75219. I'm trying to get a small delegation together to go to the Mansion on Friday at 12PM, deliver a letter of support and picket outside the hotel for about an hour. I have flyers I'll be bringing as well. You can read more about their campaign and sign a letter of support here: https://www.uniteherelocal40.org/campaigns/support-vancouvers-hotel-workers/.”
More Actions Coming Up
Nov 9, 10A: Dallas Central Labor Council training for screening committee members at 1408 N Washington. RSVP lmontemayor.dallasaflcio@gmail.com
Nov 14, 9-11:30A: Texas Silver-Haired Legislature Town-Hall meeting at North Richland Hills Public Library 9015 Grand Ave, North Richland Hills
Nov 16, 9A-2P: Dallas Citizenship Drive at 1408 N Washington
Nov 16, 1-3P: #getmoneyoutofpolitics discussion at Dallas Pubic Library, Hampton-Illionis Branch, 2951 S Hampton Rd in Dallas
Nov 19, 6:30-8P: #getmoneyoutofpolitics dinner and discussion at The Millhouse Pizzeria, 532 Main in Garland
