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Dallas Labor News December 2, 2016

Gene Lantz
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Precinct Chairs Hold Territory

Union supporters who are precinct chairs can deliver lasting electoral power to our movement.

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Dallas AFL-CIO Political Director Lorraine Montemayor is compiling a list of the many Precinct Chairs who respect working people. She is also encouraging all union supporters to take an active role in their precincts. The upcoming municipal and school board elections matter greatly, and there is no reason to wait for candidates to ask us for help. We can get started at the precinct level everywhere that we have allies.

The Dallas Democrats are asking people to sign up to be a Precinct Chair. See http://dallasdemocrats.org/about/precinct-chairs.html. Organize with the Dallas labor movement and start winning early in 2017!

Medicare at risk

The Texas Alliance for Retired Americans Educational Fund, the retiree arm of the workers' movement, recognizes that Medicare is on the chopping block as soon as the new government is sworn in. See https://retiredamericans.org/medicare-risk-2017/ ARA for background information. The retirees are already started contacting Texas congresspeople on line, on the phone, with U.S. mail, and with personal visits.

An Emergency Council is being set up for noon on December 15 at the Lamar Senior Center, 2874 Shoalcrest Ave in Austin.

Save the Overtime Ruling!

While the Obama Administration appeals a federal judge's ruling against expanding overtime pay for salaried workers, the Texas AFL-CIO is seeking people who have been affected. Their personal stories will help in the fight for better overtime pay.

Communications Director Ed Sills writes, "Dec 1 should have been the effective date of the Labor Department's new overtime rule. Sadly, the political leadership of Texas participated in legal action that resulted in a federal court order halting the rule. That action took money out of the pockets or time out of the family lives of 4 million American workers."

When George W. Bush assembled his first Cabinet in 2001, news reports dubbed them a team of millionaires, and government watchdogs questioned whether they were out of touch with most Americans’ problems. Combined, that group had an inflation-adjusted net worth of about $250 million — which is roughly one-tenth the wealth of Donald Trump’s nominee for commerce secretary alone.

It's Not Going to be a Workers' Government

The Economic Policy Institute writes: "Trump is putting together what will be the wealthiest administration in modern American history. His announced nominees for top positions include several multimillionaires, an heir to a family mega-fortune and two Forbes-certified billionaires, one of whose family is worth as much as industrial tycoon Andrew Mellon was when he served as treasury secretary nearly a century ago. Rumored candidates for other positions suggest Trump could add more ultra-rich appointees soon."

CWA Notes has especially noted that Mr Trump chose another Goldman Sachs executive for Treasury Secretary.

December 2 in Labor History

In 1954, the U.S. Senate voted 65-22 to condemn Sen. Joseph McCarthy (R-Wisc.) for “conduct that tends to bring the Senate into dishonor and disrepute.”  McCarthy was a rabid anti-Communist who falsely accused thousands of Americans, mostly people who supported labor, civil rights and other progressive causes, of being traitors Court documents filed in Boston say Walmart Stores Inc. agreed on December 2, 2009, to pay $40 million to 87,500 Massachusetts employees who claimed the retailer denied them rest and meal breaks, manipulated time cards and refused to pay overtime.

The Union Communications Service offers weekly updates on labor news, features, and historical events. 

More Actions Coming Up

Dec 3, 9A: “Workers Beat” labor talk show on KNON.org and 89.3FM

Dec 3, 2-4P: DFW4Democracy meets at the downtown Dallas public library, 1515 Young Street Dallas, TX 75201, on the 3rd floor in the Laurie Evans Studio.

Dec 3, 5-7P: Judge Don Adams Retirement Party at The Angry Dog, 2726 Commerce Street, Dallas

Dec 6, 6-8P: Rep Eric Johnson’s Town Hall meeting at 5151 Samuell Blvd

Dec 7, 7-9P: “Resistance,” a new community group, meets at Oak Cliff Cultural Center, 223 W Jefferson Blvd. Contact Melissa at 214-505-1728

Dec 9, 7A-5P: APWU 132 members’ Xmas Party 2010 Postal Way. Contact Tan at 214-631-3162.

Dec 15, 6P: Dallas CLC holiday party at Bryan Street Tavern, 4315 Bryan, Dallas 75204

Jan 10: Beginning of State Legislature

Jan 16: Martin Luther King Jr birthday celebrations

Jan 20: Inauguration day in Washington DC

Jan 21: Million Woman March in DC and in Austin