Labor Day Weekend Off to Good Start
On Saturday morning, September 1, the North Texas Workers Review Board of Jobs with Justice held a hearing titled "Wage Theft, the Jobs Crisis Continues." About 50 people came to Christ Episcopal Church, 534 W 10th in Dallas, where they were hosted by the new Dallas Workers Defense Project.
Dr. Joerg Rieger welcomed the group and said that "Wage theft is the concern of the whole community." He introduced Rosemarie Rieger, who showed a Power Point presentation showing the drastic jobs crisis that has ravaged our nation since 2007 and continues today. The actual unemployment rate, when involuntary part time workers and discouraged workers are included, continues at 22%, she said.
The panel discussion began with Allison Prochnow of Workers Defense Project. She said that 1 in 4 workers in Dallas have experienced wage theft in one form or another. Her organization has operated for several years in Austin where they helped 1,100 workers recover more than $900,000 in stolen wages. Most of them are construction workers, and many are non-documented. She announced the grand opening of the Dallas office at 9:30 AM Wednesday, September 4th, at Christ Episcopal.
Artist Scott Gleeson's (sitting) organization is called "Las Manos Negras," (black hands). They have been working in East Dallas with day laborers and are putting together an exhibition in mid-October.
Roberto Corona (standing) said he was a former day laborer, but now works at Southern Methodist University. He has been working with immigrants and day laborers in Irving.
Stacy Cottongame (standing) of the Organization of Unity for Respect at Walmart (OUR Walmart) blew the audience away with her simple description of life for long-time Walmart workers. Organizer John Barret backed her. Both urged the audience to attend their 9:30 AM September 22 march and rally at Griggs Park.
Ryan of the Ironworkers union talked about dreadful conditions on Dallas construction jobs. He said that there are a lot of unorganized irionworkers in Dallas and a lot more work coming, but wages are only half what they are in other parts of the country. The intend to rectify that.
Gene Lantz spoke for Jobs with Justice and congratulated Texas on a very good week in which federal judges stopped new racist laws in Texas.
Isabel DoCampo, who is co-chair of the Workers Rights Board with Joerg Rieger concluded the program. One television station covered the event. Helen Rieger took photos and helped everybody get their Power Point presentations to show.
Only a few hours later, the Ironworkers organizing committee held a fiesta at Casa Guanajuato (corner Polk & Brooklyn in Dallas). In effect, they began a new tradition of Labor Day celebrations in Spanish. All of the speakers talked about the successes that workers have enjoyed and the challenges ahead.
Several more celebration still lay ahead!
Sept 2: "Labor in the Pulpit" day at all worship services
Sept 3, 9:30 AM: Dallas AFL-CIO Labor Day Breakfast at Hampton Inn & Suites, 1700 Rodeo Drive, Mesquite, TX
Sept 3, noon to 4PM: Alliance for Retired Americans table at Labor Day picnic in the Czech Hall, 4930 Military Parkway
Sept 9, 5-7 PM: Grand Parents Day fiesta at Casa Guanajuato, 1002 W Brooklyn, Dallas, TX 75208. Marty Alvarado of Texas Alliance for Retired Americans can be reached at 469-360-5250.
Sep 13, 4 PM (tentative) Rally with the organizing commmittee for Coca Cola workers in Ft Worth
Sep 21: Texas Organizing Project will bus people to Austin to demand that Governor Perry implement the Affordable Care Act. Meet at 10:30 AM at 411 S. Westmoreland Rd, Dallas 75211. Call Danny Cendejas 214-586-0867 to make reservations.
Sep 22, 9:30 AM: March and Rally for Respect for Walmart Workers at Griggs Park near downtown Dallas. Park at 1408 N Washington and take shuttle rides to the park.
Sep 25: National Voter Registration Day
Sep 26, 8AM: Buses for Seniors day at Winstar Casino. Seniors should contact Judy Bryant 214-729-0063
Sept 29 5:30-9 PM: Steelworkers (USW/NTAPE) Local #9479 is having the second year Annual PICNIC.
Around the state
Amarillo CLC September 3, 2012 – Monday
Barbecue (11:30 AM – 3:00 PM)
Memorial Park on Washington St.
By Amarillo College
Austin CLC August 31, 2012 - Friday
Fish Fry (5:30- 8:30 PM)
Texas AFL-CIO Parking Lot
1106 Lavaca - Austin, Texas
Coastal Bend CLC September 3, 2012- Corpus Christi
Breakfast (9:00 AM) - Monday
CWA 6137 Union Hall
1210 Staples Street
Corpus Christi, Texas
Dallas CLC September 3, 2012 - Monday
Labor Day Breakfast (9:30 AM)
Hampton Inn & Suites
1700 Rodeo Drive – Mesquite, TX
Tickets $25 p/p, $250 for Table (10)
El Paso CLC September 3, 2012 – Monday
Labor Day Breakfast (9:00 AM)
Wyndham Hotel Airport
Galveston County CLC September 3, 2012 - Monday
Breakfast – 9:00 AM
Walter Hall Park
807 Hwy 3 N.
League City, Texas
Harris County CLC September 1-2, 2012-Saturday/Sunday
BBQ Cook-Off
Saturday (10 AM – 6PM)
Sunday (10 AM – 4PM)
Pasadena Convention Center
7902 Fairmont Parkway
Pasadena, Texas
Permian Basin CLC September 3, 2011 – Monday
55th Annual Labor Day Celebration
Monday (11 AM)
Slater Community Center
W. 38th and Pleasant Streets
Odessa, Texas
San Antonio CLC August 30, 2012- Thursday
Labor Day Celebration
San Antonio Professional Fire Fighters
Association Hall (5:30 PM – 7:30 PM)
8925 IH 10 West, San Antonio, Texas
September 2, 2012 - Sunday
Labor Day Mass
San Fernando Cathedral – 8:00 AM
115 Main Plaza
San Antonio, Texas
Smith County CLC September 3, 2012 – Monday
Labor Day Picnic
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Lindsey Park, 12557 Spur 364 West
Tyler, Texas
Texarkana CLC September 3, 2012 – Monday
Labor Day Picnic
11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Four States Fairgrounds
Texarkana, AR