Unions Ask for Your Input!

Join us Wednesday, July 10, 7 PM, 2218 E Main in Grand Prairie, for a "listening session" on the labor movement. Your criticisms and ideas, whether a union member or not, are not only welcome, but avidly encouraged!

Max KrochmalWe plan to start off with a short address on "What Labor Did Right" by historian Max Krochmal of TCU. Then we can discuss everybody's ideas on today's situation and what labor needs to do now.

Community, church, and civil rights activists are now being invited into the process of self-evaluation and change of the American union movement. The national organization is calling for "listening sessions" throughout the country to develop a pattern for change. They are very serious about this and will use the ideas at their national convention in September. They say:

"This September, the AFL-CIO—the federation uniting more than 12 million working men and women—will convene in Los Angeles to discuss the future for America’s workers and our movement. Delegates representing working families from all over the country will be prepared to make big decisions about new ways to help working people gain a voice—new forms of representation for workers, new approaches to politics and the global economy, new community partnerships and more.
You’re invited: These conversations can’t take place in a vacuum. To ensure an informed and spirited discussion, America’s unions are launching an open, inclusive process to solicit and share ideas to inform decision making at the AFL-CIO Convention." See the rest on http://www.aflcio.org/content/download/78831/1928901/file/ToolkitF3.pdf

The Texas AFL-CIO has invited activists to hear National President Richard Trumka at their convention on July 18. They write:

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Come see AFL-CIO President Rich Trumka at the Texas AFL-CIO Convention!

  "AFL-CIO President Rich Trumka will address the 53rd Texas AFL-CIO Constitutional Convention at  11:10 a.m. Thursday, July 18, at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Irving, Texas. A dynamic and inspiring speaker, Brother Trumka will update delegates and guests on changes in the national labor movement and set the stage for afternoon listening sessions that will give participants a chance to help shape the union movement of the future.   Join us! The full convention runs from Thursday, July 18, toSaturday, July 20. If you would like to obtain credentials to attend the convention or come as a guest, contact Liz Bartlett atliz@texasaflcio.org or by calling (512)477-6195. If you have questions about the agenda or logistics, contact Lee Forbes atlee@texasaflcio.org or call her at the same phone number.   Texas is again becoming a priority in national politics and in the national labor movement. Come to the Texas AFL-CIO Constitutional Convention to see how and why this is happening."

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Attend outreach meetings

During the Texas convention, the different constituency (outreach) organizations will have their own short meetings. The Texas Alliance for Retired Americans group welcomes all (of any age) at our meeting at 4:00 – 6:00 p.m., Thursday, July 18 in the Renoir Room. I am the state president. I will also chair the overall Constituency Group meeting at 8:00- 9:00 a.m., Friday, July 19 in Galleria 1 room. Jobs with Justice will have a table in the lobby.

Since 1995, the American labor movement has been undergoing an amazing historical transformation even while attacked by a concerted national anti-worker political drive. More and more, all American workers are being included in our cause. The days of separation are drawing to a close, and the AFL-CIO "listening sessions" are an important part of it. Let's all join in!

--Gene Lantz

 

 

 

 

 

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