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Twin Cities DSA Little Red Letter #110: UPS, Starbucks, Half Price Books, Delta, Organizing Everywhere and More!

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Twin Cities DSA

Twin Cities
Democratic Socialists of America

Little Red Letter #110

UPS, Starbucks, Half Price Books, Delta, Organizing Everywhere and More!

Another air quality alert this weekend and the health implications that come with it are always a very sober reminder of the reasons we do this work. Thankfully it has not been constant these past couple weeks, and many comrades have found joy and action with the more hospitable weather and many events filling our summer, from another General Strike Three softball game, a lot of labor action, an especially energizing general meeting and more.

Quick reminders for today!


Anyone who is interested should consider attending the Rent Control Day of Action, an organizing forum happening today at 2:00p – 4:30p at Boneshaker Books to take stock of where we go from here, hosted by our Rent Control Working Group.

Also today, Twin Cities DSA is tabling from now til 5p at Open Streets Glenwood between Penn and Newton Avenues. If you’ve got some time, drop by, say hi, and enjoy the rest of the event!

Thank you to all who attended the meeting this past Tuesday, it was a room filled with members new and old. Some big updates were on the labor organizing at Delta and the negotiations by the Teamsters at UPS, the state of endorsed city council campaigns and the potential with favorable majorities on the Minneapolis and Saint Paul city councils, and a call for everyone interested to join the Rent Control Day of Action. Round it out with the announcement of the People’s Party Convention Fundraiser and a discussion that deserves its own full meeting on the East Phillips Urban Farm Campaign, and you have plenty to keep talking about at our post-meeting social.

We saw good examples throughout the last couple weeks of this organizing in action. UPS Teamsters have been holding practice pickets across the country in the lead up to the potential strike starting next month, with many local DSA chapters turning out and making preparations to support the workers in the event of a strike. The same is true locally, with multiple pickets across the metro, including a massive picket and rally on July 8th. Their contract is set to expire at the end of June and negotiations between UPS and Teamsters have not resumed after UPS walked away from the table the first week of July.

Starbucks workers at two stores in Minnesota, 300 Snelling and 4712 Cedar went on strike earlier this week in conjunction with a national bus tour by Starbucks Workers United to highlight the company’s refusal to bargain with their unionized employees. The NLRB is regularly ruling that Starbucks has violated labor law both during bargaining and in the campaign more widely, though enforcement of labor law is slow and there aren’t many options to force Starbucks to negotiate in good faith. In light of that, workers are keeping up the pressure themselves as they continue to press Starbucks to come to the table and bargain with them.

Because companies of all sizes seem drawn to bargaining in bad faith, workers at Half Price Books went on a Unfair Labor Practices strike this week, shutting down their stores for two days as they demand a fair contract after over a year of bargaining. This also follows an insulting offer from management of 1% pay raises for staff. Management has slow-walked negotiations since 4 of the 6 stores in the area voted to unionize with UFCW.

And on Friday a rally was held at the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport by Delta ramp workers, flight attendants, and mechanics to protest Delta’s harassment and intimidation of those who are trying to form a union. This joint national campaign involves the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA), the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT), and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), and would see over 45,000 workers unionize, including several thousand at MSP.

Also this last week, Twin Cities DSA tabled at the Wright-Sherburne Pride event. This was the first time the event was held and attendance exceeded the expectations of organizers. The event was a joyful celebration of queer life by residents in support of human rights and personal freedom, standing in sharp contrast to the angry and bitter anti-LGBTQ+ demonstration in June. 

And last but not least, members turned out strong to canvass for Soren Stevenson in Minneapolis Ward 8 last weekend. Over 20 volunteers knocked doors to talk with neighbors about the election coming up this November and the choice available to them to elect Soren and open up a new chapter in Minneapolis, with a city council that puts the needs of working class people first.

TCDSA committees and working groups need members to get involved in order to create the multi-racial, worker-powered socialist future we’re all aiming for. Below are some opportunities to be part of the exciting work going on in our chapter right now!

  • Stop Cop City
    • Want to help Atlanta DSA’s efforts to Stop Cop City? Sign up here for 7/19 and/or 7/26 at 6p our time (7p est) to join a phonebank to Atlanta DSA members to support the referendum to put Cop City on the ballot. THEN email eastphillips@twincitiesdsa.org or message Connor Stratton on Slack. If you can’t make either time but still want to help, donate here. Twin Cities DSA stands in solidarity with Atlanta DSA and all others in the struggle to stop Cop City, and the chapter recently published a statement of solidarity.
  • East Phillips Urban Farm
    • Following the huge Roof Depo victory, there’s still plenty of work to be done to continue the fight for environmental justice in the Twin Cities. On the EPNI side, volunteers are needed for things like potentially making DIY air filters and sourcing materials for them, EPNI tabling and outreach, EPNI Media Team translation assistance, grant writing and fund raising. While a wing of this coalition is focused on the development of the community vision for the multi-use Urban Farm project, other parts of the coalition have their sights set on Bituminous Roadways and Smith Foundry. Stopping more pollution in East Phillips is merely step one. Now we are going to work to reduce pollution. We also hope that this historic example of environmental justice success brings life and hope to the other struggles around us. Shutting down the HERC trash incinerator, protecting Lake Hiawatha, and stopping the Line 5 pipeline are all movements that are connected to this work. If you’re interested in any of this work, reach out to TCDSA’s EPNI Working Group at eastphillips@twincitiesdsa.org or on Slack at #epni_coalition_with_and_events to get plugged in! 

  • Twin Cities DSA Sports
    • Basketball
      Join us Sundays at 9:00 to play some casual pickup basketball games with comrades! Join the #socialists-play-sports-basketball Slack channel to stay in the loop! All skill levels are welcome 🏀
    • Disc Golf
      Disc golf is the golf of the working class! Most courses are in public parks and are free to play. Discs are inexpensive compared to most sporting gear and can be bought used, and many people who’ve been playing for a while have a collection of extra discs available to borrow. We’re organizing occasional TCDSA group rounds—join the #socialists-play-sports-disc-golf Slack channel for more info! All are welcome, regardless of athleticism.
  • Rent Control Day of Action – Register Here
    • Sunday, 7/16 – 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM – Boneshaker Books

      Join the Twin Cities DSA Minneapolis Rent Control Working Group for a drop-in event to learn about the fight for strong rent control in Minneapolis and how you can get involved!

  • TCDSA Tabling at Open Streets Glenwood  
    • Sunday, July 16, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

      Twin Cities DSA is tabling at Open Streets Glenwood in Minneapolis. Stop by to meet some comrades IRL and pick up buttons and other swag! We will be on Glenwood Ave between Penn Ave and Newton Ave.

  • TCDSA General Strike Three Softball Game – Register Here
    • Monday, 7/17 – 7:00PM – 8:30PM – Logan Park SB/KB 2 Field

      Come out and enjoy a casual summer evening with us! We’re having a general chapter social in the form of hanging out at Sociable Cider Werks before cheering on our softball team General Strike Three at their game nearby afterward. This’ll be a great way to meet/get to know other comrades, learn how to get plugged into TCDSA’s work, and watch our awesome softball team in action. Both newer and more established people to the chapter and their friends and family are welcome!

      We’ll meet at Sociable Cider Werks at 6:00. Fans can head to the field for the game around 7:45 but players should head over to the field at 7:20. Game is at 8:15!

  • Minneapolis Brake Light Clinic
    • Sunday, 7/23 – 1:00PM – 5:00PM – 67 8th Ave NE, Minneapolis

      The Street Corps Working Group will be hosting a Brake Light Clinic at the MFT office parking lot to replace brake lights for free for community members.

  • General Strike Three Softball Game and Pre-Game Social  – Register Here
    • Monday, 7/24 – 6:00PM – 10:30PM – Logan Park SB/KB 2 Field

      Come cheer on our softball team General Strike Three. Game is at 9:15. Before the game we’ll gather at Sociable Cider Werks to hang out before we close out the season!

  • TCDSA Legislative Accomplishments Celebration – Register Here
    • Friday, July 28, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM – Newell Park

      Join Twin Cities DSA and our State Legislative endorsed elected officials for a BBQ and celebration! Come for food and fun as we reflect on the achievements our endorsed electeds helped to pass in 2023 and all that there is still to win.

  • Doorknock with Hwa Jeong Kim for Saint Paul Ward 5 – Register Here
    • Saturday, July 29, 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM

      Join us to door knock with Hwa Jeong Kim in Minneapolis Ward 5! Register for location details.

  • DSA Convention Delegate Fundraiser
    • Saturday, July 29, 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM – Black Hart of Saint Paul

      Join us for the revival of Twin Cities DSA dance parties with the People’s Party! Come for a night of dancing, libations and comradely fun featuring DJ Bree, a silent auction, and more as we fundraise to send people to the 2023 DSA National Convention this August!

      Doors open at 5p, entertainment starts at 5:30p.

  • East Phillips Urban Farm Working Group – Monday, 7/17, 8:00pm-9:30pm – Zoom Registration
    • The East Phillips Urban Farm working group meets weekly on Monday at 8p. TCDSA has endorsed the East Phillips Neighborhood Institute’s (EPNI) Urban Farm initiative to resist the City’s Hiawatha Campus Expansion plan.

  • Labor Branch Meeting – Tuesday, 7/18, 7:00pm-8:30pm – Zoom Registration
    • The TCDSA Labor Branch meets on the 3rd Tuesday of the month. For information about this meeting, see the #labor channel on Slack. Not on Slack? Submit tcdsa.org/slack to verify you’re on the member list.

  • Electoral Phone Bank – Wednesday July 19, 5:00pm – 6:00pm – Zoom Registration
    • We’ll be calling TCDSA members to let them know about our July 29 door knock with Hwa Jeong Kim for Saint Paul Ward 5 City Council.

  • Internal Organizing Phone Bank – Wednesday, 7/19, 6:00pm-7:00pm – Zoom Registration
    • Join the Internal Organizing Committee for our bimonthly phonebank to call new TCDSA members. We meet on Zoom to go over the script, mute ourselves and make phone calls to other DSA members, and then return to debrief how our calls went. A brief training is provided and no prior experience is required. These phonebanks are a chance to meet newer members to TCDSA, hear what they need from our chapter and what brings them to socialism. All are welcome to join, but new members should note that this is a group calling session where we will call you, not an event designed for new members.

      IO phonebanks are held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month. For more information about joining this meeting, see the #internal-organizing Slack channel.

  • Communications Committee – Thursday, 7/20, 6:00pm-7:30pm – Zoom Registration
    • For information on joining this meeting, see the #communications channel on Slack. Not on Slack? Submit tcdsa.org/slack to verify you’re on the member list.

  • Health Justice Working Group – Thursday, July 20, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM – Zoom Registration
    • The Health Justice working group is rebuilding! Join us for our monthly meeting and get to know other comrades to discuss the healthcare industry, learn about current healthcare-related legislation, and plan how our chapter can work for health justice.

  • Street Corps Working Group – Saturday, July 22, 11:00am – 12:30pm – 2727 E Lake St, Minneapolis
    • The Street Corps Working Group organizes mutual aid and community defense projects for the chapter. All members are welcome to attend! This July meeting will be at the East Lake library in their conference room.

  • Steering Committee Meeting – Sunday, 7/23, 3:00pm-4:30pm
    • Check #steeringcommittee for the zoom link and agenda. If you are a member and need access to slack, sign up at tcdsa.org/slack

  • East Phillips Urban Farm Working Group – Monday, 7/24, 8:00pm-9:30pm – Zoom Registration
    • The East Phillips Urban Farm working group meets weekly on Monday at 8p.TCDSA has endorsed the East Phillips Neighborhood Institute’s (EPNI) Urban Farm initiative to resist the City’s Hiawatha Campus Expansion plan.

  • Health Justice Reading & Discussion Group – Tuesday, July 25, 10:30am – 11:00am – Zoom Registration
    • The TCDSA Health Justice Reading & Discussion Group meets regularly to explore socialist perspectives on health justice issues, critique the current US American health system, and discuss strategies for transformation. This group is for anyone who is interested in learning more and engaging with local comrades, and you are welcome to join whether you have read the texts or not.

  • Electoral Committee General Meeting – Wednesday, July 26, 6:00pm – 7:30pm – Zoom Registration
    • The TCDSA Electoral Committee holds a general meeting the last Wednesday of every month at 6PM.

  • St. Paul Branch Meeting – Wednesday, July 26, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM – Zoom Registration
    • The St. Paul Branch of TCDSA meets on the 4th Wednesday of the month.

  • Socialist Feminist Branch Meeting – Saturday, July 29, 2:00pm – 3:30pm – Zoom Registration
    • Our monthly branch meetings are a space to talk about current organizing and how people can get involved! We also have discussions centered around political education on specific topics each month. All are welcome.

Go to tcdsa.org/events to see everything!

Long Hot Labor Summer

Following a week of heavy union action and with more to come, Kip H shares his thoughts on DSA’s role in the current labor movement and the broader implications this have in our fight for a socialist future.

Half the Police Force Quit. Crime Dropped.

Not that we are surprised. We always told you this would happen. From the NYT via Portside.  

from Deb K R

The Anti-Abortion Movement’s Language War

Jessica Valenti on Substack: the anti-abortion movement is pressuring journalists to stop using the word ‘ban’ when describing abortion legislation. These activists will claim that using ‘ban’ is pro-choice bias, and media outlets obsessed with false notions of objectivity might fall for that. We need to push back.

from Deb K R

How Socialists In New York Won Public Power For The State

Passage of the Build Public Renewables Act (BPRA) puts public power instead of private corporations in the driver’s seat for the transition to renewable energy.

from Deb K R

US to give Ukraine widely banned cluster munitions despite fears

Al Jazeera – While cluster munitions are not banned internationally, more than 120 countries – including most NATO members – have signed on to a convention prohibiting their use. The US, Ukraine and Russia are not party to that agreement. The UN, major Ukraine ally Germany, and numerous human rights organizations have condemned the move in the strongest of terms. 

from Deb K R

‘A Story That Didn’t Used To Be Told’: The Rise and Fall of Baseball’s Negro Leagues

Sam Pollard directs “The League,” released July 7, a documentary about the rise and fall of the Negro Leagues in professional baseball. “It’s a history famously touched on in Ken Burns’s seminal docuseries Baseball. But in The League, the B-story becomes the main thread.” One takeaway – even in baseball, serious reparations are due. 

from Deb K R

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