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Recent News
[This comes from
the Fair Trade Coalition in Austin.] For
five months we have denied them the votes they needed to bring Fast Track to
the House floor for a vote. However, now the Republican leadership has
scheduled a Fast Track vote for Thursday, Dec. 6th. This is the
first time that they have specified a day for the vote.
Our task once again is to flood all
congressional offices with calls. All Texans should call their own
congressperson and also call Rep. Bentsen of Houston who in announcing he
is running for the US Senate opens himself to feedback from all os us. All you
need to do is call 1-800-393-1082 and
punch in your zip when prompted. To contact Bentsen’s office you will need to
punch in 77025, which is a zip code in his district.
In Houston, please
concentrate on both Jackson Lee (punch in 77001) and Bentsen (77025) as they
are both swings.
In Dallas, please concentrate
on EB Johnson as she is the only real swing in that area. Punch in 75016, a zip
in her district.
In San Antonio, please
concentrate on just Rep. Gonzalez, the only real swing there. Punch in 78201, a
zip in his district.
Even if you aren’t
in one of their district now, it is OK to call them since soon district lines
will be redrawn and you might end up being in their district.
(Texas Fair Trade Coalition is composed of
unions, environmental grps, family farmers &
other fair trade groups and individuals. We are working in 17 congressional
districts on the Fast Track vote. Call
(512) 416-7170 or email jerel@att.net for information. We
email globalization news to over 10,000 Texans)
**
Good News Is
Back!
Charges have been
dropped against the “Charleston 5,” unionists and civil-rights fighters who
were wrongly charged with felonies for having carried out an informational
picket against scab labor. They were under house arrest for many months while
America’s labor movement rallied to defend them. We win!
The whole world
protested the World Trade Organization while they skulked and schemed in remote
Qatar!
OK, they’re still trying
to pass what they call “Trade Promotion Authority,” or “The Thomas Bill,” or
“HR 3005.” But they didn’t get it passed when they desperately wanted it,
before the beginning of the WTO meeting!
The Senate bill for
economic stimulation passed by a lopsided majority. It’s light years ahead of
the Republicanized House version, which primarily gives away all the money and
the company store to the corporations and wealthiest people. Who knows what the
two legislative houses will end up with, but, for the first time since
September 11, there’s good news again for working people in America!
**
At the same
time, the economic situation in our nation gets worse every day. Here is the
AFL-CIO statement from the same “Work in Progress” news source as above:
“WORKERS NEED MORE THAN BUSH OFFERS--President
George W. Bush's economic relief proposal for workers "needs substantially
more resources" before it can deliver the wide range of help needed by
working families who
have been
affected by the economic aftershocks of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, AFL-CIO
President John Sweeney said Oct. 4. Sweeney said the White House's unemployment
plan and its proposals for health insurance aid to working families fall
"far short of what's needed." The Bush proposal is 90 percent tax
cuts and provides permanent and generous tax
breaks for
corporations, but gives only a small amount of temporary help for unemployed
workers, according to an analysis by the Center on Budget and Policy
Priorities. For example, unemployed workers who exhaust their benefits and
still are unable to find a job could receive additional benefits in only a few
states. "Most troubling is the plan's failure to provide immediate relief
for aviation workers whose livelihoods have been radically affected by the
terrorist attacks," Sweeney said. The
Bush plan also
would move $11 billion from the State Children's Health Insurance Program-
which covers uninsured children-to cover unemployed workers. Meanwhile, the
economic impact of Sept. 11 is mounting, with announced layoffs nationwide now
at 413,312. In New York City alone, an estimated 108,500 jobs will have been
lost within a month of the
terrorist
attacks, according to the Fiscal Policy Institute, a nonpartisan economic
research organization. Nationwide, announced layoffs include 134,587 in the
transportation sector; 105,591 in services, hospitality and tourism; and 77,474
in manufacturing. For a detailed look at the Bush plan, visit
www.aflcio.org/news/2001/1004_workerrelief. For regular updates on the economic
impact of the terrorist attack, visit www.aflcio.org/sept_11/econchart.”
It is
noteworthy that the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions is
continuing to call for worldwide demonstrations against the World Trade
Organization on November 9.
**
Delta Flight Attendants need your help.
See our afl-cio page
**
Peace
Actions Spring Up
Firebrand
activist Julie Ryan emceed the peace rally in downtown Dallas on October 9.
A
highly diverse crowd of around 75, two hecklers, and all the newspersons in
North Texas attended.
**
We
Lost in Oklahoma! See AFL Page
**
Area
Seniors Start Organizing Drive
See Retirees Section
**
(see
Coming Events Page)
Send E-mail to the Texas AFL-CIO to get on their "hot list" for
union news: ed@texasaflcio.org. Mention your union affiliation.
______________
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