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One of the Greatest Assaults on Our Democracy Since the Civil War |
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On a day that should have been cause for celebration for advocates of progress who relied on the rule of law in electing a new President and scoring a pair of gigantic runoff victories in Georgia to give Democrats control of the U.S. Senate, a mob intervened.
Incited by President Trump, instigated in a leading role by the cynical actions of U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, stoked by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, and abetted by Texas cohorts in the U.S. House and some state offices, the mob broke into the U.S. Capitol, took over the House and Senate chambers and some offices, and forced Capitol police to protect members of Congress in “secure locations.” Individuals assaulted law officers and damaged property to break in.
President Trump only made matters worse by saying he loves the mob and continuing the Big Lie that he really won the election. President-elect Joe Biden, elected by the voters, affirmed by court after court after court, and soon to be blessed by Congress notwithstanding today’s disgraceful insurrection, called for democracy to prevail and said the riot “borders on sedition.”
Texas AFL-CIO President Rick Levy made it plain that today’s behavior isn’t how the labor movement rolls:
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Update January 8, 2021, 11AM:
AFL-CIO General Board Calls on Donald Trump to Resign or Be Removed from Office
After a discussion Thursday, the AFL-CIO General Board today released the following statement: The deadly storming of the U.S. Capitol by a mob looking to overturn the results of a free and fair election, encouraged and inspired by President Donald Trump, was one of the greatest attacks on our democracy in American history. And the fact that trespassers were allowed to roam the halls of Congress without consequence is one of the latest examples of why we must tear down the systems and abiders of white supremacy. Trump is an affront to every union member, and a clear and present danger to our nation and our republic. He should resign or be removed from office at once, whether through impeachment or the 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. This is not a statement America’s labor movement makes lightly. It is not driven by politics or ideology, but rather by the fundamental belief that the preservation of our democracy is essential—though never guaranteed. Hate and insurrection have no place in America. |
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Victories in Georgia Will Change U.S. Senate Agenda |
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The twin victories in Georgia runoffs this week are a beautiful coda to voters’ decision to evict President Trump from the White House, achieving even more than electing two amazing candidates, the Rev. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff, to U.S. Senate seats and giving Democrats control of the Senate agenda.
The narrow wins cemented a massive coalition for progress that had already given Joe Biden an upset win in the state on Nov. 3. The coalition showed how to prevail when decades of deep-seated political reality get in the way.
Kudos and salutes to the many activists who cracked the code, including the now-legendary Stacey Abrams, who has devoted the last decade to changing what so many people thought could not be changed. Congratulations to the Georgia labor movement for its vital role as part of a grand coalition.
It can happen in Texas and some day it will. For now, the Texas AFL-CIO is proud to have joined state federations across the country in volunteering to write postcards and take part in phone banks to make a small contribution to the success of soon-to-be Sens. Warnock and Ossoff. - Read More |
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Alphabet Workers Union at Google Takes Precedent-Setting Approach |
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In the annals of labor organizing, some efforts have historic implications. It’s that way with the new drive by workers at Google to speak up together through the Communications Workers of America.
The New York Times reported this morning more than 225 workers at the Internet giant are gaining minority union status, an unusual approach but one that has potential at a behemoth that employs more than 260,000 workers and contractors. By the end of the day of its announcement, the union said it was up to 400 members.
As CWA suggests in its statement, Google has gone from its original “Don’t Be Evil” corporate conduct code to a more problematic nature. Once again, and this always bears repeating, matters other than the level of pay and benefits are the biggest reason workers are organizing. - Read More
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AFL-CIO Praises Biden Selection of Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, Former Building Trades Leader, as U.S. Labor Secretary |
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The AFL-CIO offered plaudits for President-elect Joe Biden’s selection of Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, a former leader of the Boston Building Trades Council, as the next U.S. Secretary of Labor.
No question this will be a night-and-day improvement over the current holder of the office, Eugene Scalia, who systematically sat on the ability of working people to speak up together and gain ground. - Read More
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Minimum Wages Rise in Many States With the New Year, But Not in Texas |
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This is the time of year when we recognize and salute states whose minimum wages have taken a leap at the start of the year. And it’s the time of year when we realize that, for ideological reasons, Texas seems forever married to a law that ties the state minimum wage to the paltry $7.25 an hour federal minimum wage.
Both Congress and Texas have dropped the ball since the minimum wage last rose nationally more than 11 years ago.
In states that allow voters to place a minimum wage hike on the ballot — even solidly Republican ones — voters routinely approve the idea by large margins. In fact, some voters have approved minimum wage at or above $15 an hour, much closer to a level that actually allows working people to support themselves. In Texas, minimum wage bills typically die an early death, though working families will certainly try again when the Legislature returns a week from tomorrow .
From a New York Times story on a movement that has not yet found a path to the finish line in Texas:
It started in 2012 with a group of protesters outside a McDonald’s demanding a $15 minimum wage — an idea that even many liberal lawmakers considered outlandish. In the years since, their fight has gained traction across the country, including in conservative states with low union membership and generally weak labor laws.
On Friday (New Year’s Day, 2021), 20 states and 32 cities and counties will raise their minimum wage. In 27 of these places, the pay floor will reach or exceed $15 an hour, according to a report released on Thursday by the National Employment Law Project, which supports minimum-wage increases. - Read More |
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Texas AFL-CIO Seeks Education and Training Director |
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The Texas AFL-CIO is looking for someone to fill the new position of Education and Training Director.
The director “will work with leadership and staff to design and implement a comprehensive education program in conjunction with the priorities and goals of the Texas AFL-CIO.”
For details and instructions on how to apply, go to: https://www.texasaflcio.org/jobs/education-training-director |
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Song of the Week - "Georgia on a Fast Train" by Billy Joe Shaver
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Have a great weekend...After all, we fought for it. |
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