In the early stages of great struggles... something of this same
burning wave of solidarity sweeps through vast categories of workers
not directly in the fight. The dramatic struggles going on in their
industry inspires them with a sense of their own wrongs, fires them to
fight to redress their own grievances and those of their class
brothers already in the fight. It is a strike contagion, a spreading
revolt of the workers.
-- William Z. Foster
Comrades,
In what could be the largest strike since the 1997 Teamster UPS
strike, 60,000 film workers across the country in the International
Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) have voted to authorize
a strike with a 98% yes vote and 90% turnout. A strike, if called,
would be the first of its kind in the union’s 128-year history.
Driving the vote at the forefront is the fight against brutally
long hours with no meal breaks and a lack of meaningful rest between
shifts. Workers regularly (https://www.instagram.com/ia_stories/)
perform 16 to 20 hours shifts with no time to even do their laundry or
get the mail let alone spend time with their friends, family, kids,
and communities. It’s not uncommon for workers in the industry to know
someone who’s gotten injured or died in a car crash on their way home
from work due to sheer exhaustion and sleep deprivation. Just as
important, the workers are fighting for living wages for the lowest
paid among them and a share of the fruits of their labor in order to
maintain their pensions and health plans in the form of residuals,
payments to the workers when the content they make is licensed for
different formats and usage, and which no longer comes adequately from
DVD, Blu Ray, cable, and must now come from streaming services. Big
tech, now having firmly extended its grip into the film industry with
companies like Amazon, Apple, and Netflix, is continuing to press,
squeeze, and crush its workers for all that they’re worth.
And yet the bosses in their employer association, the Association
of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), aren’t budging,
even in the face of a historic strike authorization vote for the union
and unprecedented unity of its members. Though there would likely be
little if any picket activity in the Bay Area, most of it concentrated
in Los Angeles and other other production centers like Albuquerque and
Atlanta, you can show solidarity with the workers by doing the
following:
1. Share the IATSE strike tool kit
(https://iatse.net/about/mptv/amptp-toolkit/) with your chapter and
sign the petition
(https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/tell-amptp-to-make-a-deal-with-behind-the-scenes-workers?link_id=6&can_id=a0f40fceb61e3a51ddb4c01f8df7195e&source=email-dslc-updates-panel-on-union-democracy-become-an-emergency-workplace-organizer&email_referrer=email_1307683&email_subject=dslc-updates-iatse-union-democracy-usps-become-an-emergency-workplace-organizer)
to the AMPTP.
2. Follow @ia_stories on Twitter (https://twitter.com/ia_stories)
and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ia_stories) . Share their
posts using the hashtag #iasolidarity.
3. If you’re a DSA member who’s also in IATSE, fill out this form
to connect with other IATSE members and get organized
(https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdHlcciA6_KnUMe--M97ybj705GeIOErxTg3i1wt7eFh8NzrA/viewform?link_id=9&can_id=a0f40fceb61e3a51ddb4c01f8df7195e&source=email-dslc-updates-panel-on-union-democracy-become-an-emergency-workplace-organizer&email_referrer=email_1307683&email_subject=dslc-updates-iatse-union-democracy-usps-become-an-emergency-workplace-organizer)
4. And if you’re an IATSE member who’s behind on dues, fill out
this form for a member to member mutual aid fund
(https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScjpk77cYhB_I9Tr8hZM3NvrjKhV-Lx5vW2FXeInSZCDTRHZQ/viewform?link_id=10&can_id=a0f40fceb61e3a51ddb4c01f8df7195e&source=email-dslc-updates-panel-on-union-democracy-become-an-emergency-workplace-organizer&email_referrer=email_1307683&email_subject=dslc-updates-iatse-union-democracy-usps-become-an-emergency-workplace-organizer)
so you can vote!
Our 5th Labor Reading Group begins the week of 10/18! Join us to
learn about the rise of public sector unionism in the 1960s–70s and
its ties to the mass movements of the era. Feast your eyes on this
reading list!
(https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdYUN4plUkMufN0FbT6Hk7N10q91EXSrcLQ8lDdqviG4pje5g/viewform)
Then register here
(https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdYUN4plUkMufN0FbT6Hk7N10q91EXSrcLQ8lDdqviG4pje5g/viewform)
!
News and Information
Be sure to check out East Bay Majority
(https://eastbaymajority.com/) , East Bay DSA's news source with a
socialist perspective, for the latest news and information.
** DEMANDING HAZARD PAY, TRANSIT WORKERS FORCE AC TRANSIT TO
THE NEGOTIATING
TABLE
------------------------------------------------------------
All
across California, frontline workers have demanded and won hazard pay
during the pandemic, especially in grocery, retail and healthcare
workplaces. Transit workers in the Bay Area, though, have not received
one penny of extra compensation for continuing to work in
life-threatening conditions. On July 28, over 40 AC Transit workers
and riders spoke up at the AC Transit board meeting to demand transit
workers be paid retroactive hazard pay.
Read more
(https://eastbaymajority.com/ac-transit-jovanka-beckles-covid-hazard-pay-bus-drivers/)
Featured
Events
While we are still mostly unable to meet face-to-face,
events are still going on that you can be a part of. RSVP below to
stay updated. You can also keep track on our Events page
(http://eastbaydsa.org/events/) .
** GREEN NEW DEAL FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS ORGANIZING MEETING
------------------------------------------------------------
Tonight!
October 7 | 6–7 p.m.
Online via Zoom – register for info
(https://dsausa.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMsce2vpjguEtUXBNa_IVM-J1eELS1cFPOK)
♿️
Join us to organize our campaign for the Green New Deal for
Public Schools. Everyone is welcome--all skills, imagination, dogged
determination needed. After registering, you will receive a
confirmation email containing information about joining the
meeting.
Register on Zoom
(https://dsausa.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMsce2vpjguEtUXBNa_IVM-J1eELS1cFPOK)
** EAST BAY DSA ALL-COMMS
MEETING
------------------------------------------------------------
Monday,
October 11 | 6–7:30 p.m.
Online via Zoom
(https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89350021531?pwd=Y3k1Njh0bHJXNU10bHpQSk1PamNYdz09)
♿️
Join your fellow East Bay Comms Committee for our monthly
meeting of all who work on communications in our chapter. We'll do
some Comms-specific political education, hear what our fellow comrades
are up to and work together on a new chapter-wide campaign.
Join on Zoom
(https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89350021531?pwd=Y3k1Njh0bHJXNU10bHpQSk1PamNYdz09)
RSVP
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1960/2021-10-11-east-bay-dsa-all-comms-meeting/)
**
------------------------------------------------------------
REFINERY TOWN READING GROUP
Monday, October 11 | 6:30–8:30
p.m.
Online via Zoom
(https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83115137647?pwd=cEVPd0dZWGp4RHhMMERMSXhrSys2QT09)
♿️
Read & discuss with us. We're reading chapters 1 & 2 of
Refinery Town: Big Oil, Big Money, and the Remaking of an American
City by Steve Early, with a foreword by Senator Bernie Sanders.
Refinery Town shows how our own Richmond, CA, a working-class company
town, harnessed the power of local politics to reclaim their
community.
Contact us at [email protected] if you need a PDF or
hard copy of the book.
Join on Zoom
(https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83115137647?pwd=cEVPd0dZWGp4RHhMMERMSXhrSys2QT09)
RSVP
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/2017/2021-10-11-refinery-town-reading-group/)
** GREEN NEW DEAL COMMITTEE MONTHLY MEETING
(VIRTUAL)
------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday,
October 13 | 6:45–8:45 p.m.
Online via Zoom – RSVP for info
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1705/2021-10-13-green-new-deal-committee-monthly-meeting-virtual/)
♿️
Our Green New Deal Committee meets on the second Wednesday each
month. We will discuss eco-socialist issues, upcoming events and
actions, committee priorities, and campaigns. All are welcome! Please
RSVP to receive the URL to the meeting or email
[email protected].
RSVP
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1705/2021-10-13-green-new-deal-committee-monthly-meeting-virtual/)
** GREEN NEW DEAL FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS ORGANIZING MEETING
------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday,
October 14 | 6–7 p.m.
Online via Zoom – register for info
(https://dsausa.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMsce2vpjguEtUXBNa_IVM-J1eELS1cFPOK)
♿️
Join us to organize our campaign for the Green New Deal for Public
Schools. Everyone is welcome--all skills, imagination, dogged
determination needed. After registering, you will receive a
confirmation email containing information about joining the
meeting.
Register on zoom
(https://dsausa.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMsce2vpjguEtUXBNa_IVM-J1eELS1cFPOK)
** EBDSA BRANCHES FORUM
------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday,
October 14 | 6:30–8 p.m.
Online via Zoom – RSVP for info
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1968/2021-10-14-ebdsa-branches-forum/)
♿️
The East Bay DSA Branches Working Group has been tasked by the
chapter Steering Committee to determine how to institute a branch
structure.
From Fremont to Vallejo and Oakland to Antioch, East Bay DSA covers
a wide range, not just in territory but in conditions and issues. In
order to make sure all neighborhoods of our chapter are represented
and engaged, we are considering a branch structure similar to what has
been done in other DSA chapters including DSA LA, DSA Atlanta, and
Metro DC DSA.
Branches can be formed in many ways and we want to get your input
on how it should be done!
RSVP
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1968/2021-10-14-ebdsa-branches-forum/)
** OCTOBER GENERAL MEETING
------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday,
October 17 | 1–3 p.m.
Online via Zoom
(https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87237433481?pwd=aGNVV1ZGVHl5RjdTY3RGWUhGR25XQT09)
Please
join us for our October General Meeting! Stay tuned for more
information. We'll post the agenda at the event link below when it's
released.
Join via Zoom
(https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87237433481?pwd=aGNVV1ZGVHl5RjdTY3RGWUhGR25XQT09)
Agenda/RSVP
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/2008/2021-10-17-october-general-meeting/)
** THE RISE OF PUBLIC SECTOR UNIONISM & THE MASS MOVEMENTS
OF THE
1960s-70s
------------------------------------------------------------
Biweekly
starting Monday, October 18 | 7–9 p.m.
Online – register for info
(https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdYUN4plUkMufN0FbT6Hk7N10q91EXSrcLQ8lDdqviG4pje5g/viewform)
♿️
Join the East Bay DSA Labor Committee this fall for a 5-part
study series on the rise of public sector unionism in the 1960s–70s in
the context of the radicalizing social movements for civil rights,
student power, ending the Vietnam war, and women's liberation. Open to
all and designed for anyone engaged or interested in workplace or
non-workplace based movement work! Sign up here
(https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdYUN4plUkMufN0FbT6Hk7N10q91EXSrcLQ8lDdqviG4pje5g/viewform)
.
Groups will start the week of Monday, October 18th, consist of 10 -
15 people, and will meet on a regular date and time every other week
for a total of 5 sessions. Group meeting dates will be assigned based
on the overall availability that participants indicate below.
Organizers of this series will reach out to those that sign up a few
weeks before the start week to inform participants of their group
meeting dates and link them up with their group co-leads who will be
facilitating the group.
Readings will be shared digitally at no cost and will average 25–30
pages every two weeks. The curriculum also features movies, some of
which are assigned as essential curriculum and some of which are
assigned as supplemental. A few of the movies will cost a small
digital rental fee of $2 or $3 to watch.
Please email [email protected] with any questions or
comments.
Readings
(https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qk2nOc0tzBI3RBxJrby8SkoLasLzbs9LiVtOHTSE1MI/edit)
Sign up here
(https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdYUN4plUkMufN0FbT6Hk7N10q91EXSrcLQ8lDdqviG4pje5g/viewform)
**
------------------------------------------------------------
RACIAL SOLIDARITY COMMITTEE MONTHLY MEETING
Monday, October 18 |
7–9 p.m.
Online – contact [email protected]
(mailto:[email protected]) for info ♿️
Join the
Racial Solidarity Committee for our monthly meeting!
The Racial Solidarity Committee (RSC) is dedicated to fighting for
the rights of BIPOC communities here in the Bay Area as well as around
the world. We are committed to building a multiracial democratic
socialist organization that reflects the diversity of the Bay Area
working class. Our work ranges from immigration justice and open
borders to workers' rights and access to fully-funded public
education. In our general meetings, we hold political discussions and
report on upcoming RSC campaigns and events. Join us and become a part
of the fight for Racial Solidarity!
Racial Solidarity Committee is open to all, and we especially
welcome self-identified BIPOC folx. BIPOC facilitators take
progressive stack, and we maintain community agreements.
RSVP
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1685/2021-10-18-racial-solidarity-committee-monthly-meeting/)
Upcoming
Events
** SOCIAL HOUSING COMMITTEE MEETING
------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday,
October 20 | 7–8:30 p.m.
Online via Zoom
(https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85023852802?pwd=V0VaZEgvZTJxQXZ5c1I2K1FLQlQxdz09)
♿️
Monthly meeting for the EBDSA Social Housing committee. Come to
hear updates about our upcoming projects, and have a political
discussion about the decommodification of housing in the Bay Area!
Join on Zoom
(https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85023852802?pwd=V0VaZEgvZTJxQXZ5c1I2K1FLQlQxdz09)
RSVP
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1735/2021-10-20-social-housing-committee-meeting/)
CATCH UP ON NIGHT SCHOOL
Even with social distancing
guidelines lifted, now's still as good a time as any to catch up on
our Socialist Night School.
Catch up on past night school readings and videos below.
Watch past Night School videos
(https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeMYhhCCTFq1jGdOt6lcF8l7HQJwnJndD)
Catch up on Night School readings
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/night-school/)
Not a Member Yet? Let's Fix That.
DSA now has more than 90,000
members nationally, and we're still growing. There's never been a
better time to get involved than right now! Join our national
organization by clicking below and become an official socialist
organizer.
Join DSA (http://dsausa.org/join?source=East%20Bay)
Caucus Corner
Our caucuses organize events too! Check out the
Caucus Corner of our website
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/about/caucuses/) to learn more about the
activities of East Bay DSA caucuses and how to participate.
Announcements
SIGN UP TO TALK TO A MOBILIZER!
Are you a new DSA member? Or
are you looking to get more involved with East Bay DSA's projects and
campaigns? Sign up to talk to a mobilizer!
Here are three reasons to sign up to talk to a mobilizer:
1.
Meet a fellow socialist organizer
We want to build a movement of
millions of working class people and change the exploitative and
oppressive system in which we live, but we do that first and foremost
by building one-to-one connections with each other.
2. Answer your questions
Learn more about DSA, the local East
Bay chapter, and our different committees and projects.
3. Get more involved
The main thing a mobilizer will help you
with is getting more involved in DSA. Maybe there’s a campaign or
project you’re particularly interested in, or maybe you’re a blank
slate and you don’t really know what to do. Either way, a mobilizer
will help you figure it out.
Sign up to talk to a mobilizer!
(https://forms.gle/np21b7Jt225z4xmq5)
Men, under socialism, will work and produce useful goods. But
they will produce these for their mutual needs and for their mutual
development… Men, no longer fettered by the necessity of working not
only for their own material maintenance, but for the bosses’ even more
material profits, will be freed to live more fully. The time that each
must work will be small, yet the goods produced for all to enjoy will
be plentiful.
-- Grace Lee Boggs
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