The Labor Branch Organizing Committee wants to share some reflections and opinions about the TCDSA Convention, and also invite you to an important labor event.
On one hand, DSA union activists were understandably disappointed that our labor priority proposal did not make it in the top three priorities of the TCDSA Convention. On the other hand, we don’t view the outcome as a chapter-wide rejection of labor. Instead it appeared that a majority of members in attendance felt that Palestine solidarity, environmental justice, and building our chapter’s capacity were bigger priorities at this moment in time. Despite a few misguided arguments that denied the central role of the working class and unions in changing society, the vast majority of the arguments made were not against labor being prioritized, but why other issues should be prioritized.
Furthermore, the chapter convention voted nearly unanimously for our Labor Branch Road Map for 2024-2025. This gave the labor branch a democratic mandate to carry out our labor projects over the next year. In particular, this includes the Delta ramp and cargo workers nationwide campaign to unionize this winter and the possible UFCW 663 strike next spring in Minneapolis. These are two historic campaigns where DSA can have a real impact on reviving the labor movement. As much as we would’ve liked the full force of our chapter involved in these fights, we are committed to organizing those who recognize the need to build support for class-struggle ideas and DSA within the labor movement. Although we may not get as much time on TCDSA agendas and social media boosts for these labor campaigns as the chapter’s top three priorities, there are still plenty of opportunities to build these labor campaigns.
That said, the convention debate did indicate that we must work to educate the chapter that the working class is the central force for changing society and that the organized sections of the working class have more power. We will not be able to stop this wretched capitalist system and its genocidal rampages without a united, organized working class. Our DSA members in MAPE are showing how unions can play a key role in the Palestine solidarity movement – listen to this awesome news clip and see the image above! The recent dock workers’ strike won a massive 62% wage hike – another demonstration of the power and fighting capacity of the working class. Hopefully the Boeing machinists will win their strike too.
Thank you TCDSA comrades who recently provided rides to UFCW 663 grocery workers to voting booths to create a strike fund. And thank you TCDSA comrades who participated in phone-banks to help ramp and cargo workers win a nationwide union. Stay tuned for more opportunities to support these two campaigns that may win some exciting victories.
All are invited to a great labor event coming up next week. Please mark your calendar to join us (and invite co-workers)!
- Union film screening & discussion:
- Come watch the film Union about the Staten Island Amazon warehouse workers’ victory against one of the biggest corporations in the world!
This film screening is Tues. Oct. 22nd, 7 pm at The Main Cinema, 115 SE Main St, Mpls, 55414. Use the code UNIONMN for a discounted ticket. This screening will be followed by a social and is co-hosted by SEIU 26, CWA 7250, Delta Workers Organize, Red Pine Collective, and TCDSA.
- Come watch the film Union about the Staten Island Amazon warehouse workers’ victory against one of the biggest corporations in the world!
We look forward to uplifting our chapter’s three priorities, and we’re excited to continue building the labor movement and DSA with you!
Onward,
The Labor Branch Organizing Committee
