Labor Day Workers Rights Board Hearing, March, and Rally

Workers’ Rights Board Hearing on the Impact of Low-Wage Work

Labor Day Weekend

Dallas, August 31, 2013

On Saturday, August 31, Jobs with Justice and the Worker Rights Board hosted a Labor Day action: “Can’t Survive on $7.25!” which included the first Annual Dallas Labor Day March and Rally since the 1940s. The purpose of the actions, which included a discussion panel involving state and
national representatives as well as representatives from the AFL-CIO and OUR Walmart, was to bring to attention the plight of workers with minimum wage jobs. As the title suggests, $7.25 an hour pay is not nearly enough to cover the basic necessities for one person, let alone a family. The members of the panel Congressman Mark Veasey, Texas House Representative Roberto Alonzo, the AFL-CIO’s Education Director Rick Leavey, and OUR Wal-Mart organizer Colby Harris, along with the moderator, Professor Dr. Joerg Rieger, discussed this issue and offered some insights.

First to speak was Congressman Veasey, who represents District 33 (Oak Cliff). Not earning enough is not a question of laziness, he explained, as even if a person worked full time a minimum wage job would only earn them $15,000 a year. Veseay says he will continue to fight for a higher minimum wage, mentioning that he is the co-sponsor of the Minimum Wage Act that is currently going through Congress. This bill, HR 1010, will raise the minimum wage to $8.50/hour in three months, and from there to $10.10/hour over the next two years to keep pace with inflation.

Next was Texas House Representative Roberto Alonzo, who talked about economic justice, immigration reform, and creating awareness about economic issues. He told the audience that the best way to move economic justice issues such as equal pay forward is to be supportive and persistent.

Afterwards the AFL-CIO’s Education Director Rick Levy spoke about the decisive role unions played in the past to get such staples such as weekends and a 40-hour workweek. He emphasized that we cannot be “armchair activists” but need to get out and close loopholes, invest in public education, reform immigration policy, and work on economic equality together in order to move things forward.

Lastly, Colby Harris, an organizer for OUR Walmart and part of the new Peer Chaplain program spoke about his experience as a Walmart worker and emphasized that we need to work together as a group, for if one person is left behind all are left behind. He concluded by mentioning some ways in which one can help out: by coming to actions, signing petitions, leafleting, and even wearing an OUR Walmart shirt while shopping at Walmart.

Annika Rieger

9/5/13

First Annual Labor Day March and Rally

-“Can’t Survive on $7.25!” –

August 31, 2013

This past Labor Day weekend North Texas Jobs with Justice and OUR Walmart led more than 200 people on a historic march down Jefferson Boulevard in Oak Cliff. This was the first march commemorating workers and the contribution of Labor since the 1940’s. Triple digit temperatures did not deter the marchers representing various area unions, churches, and community groups as well as fired Walmart workers from showing support for low-wage workers.

The Labor Day events started at the Texas Theatre with a Workers’ Rights Board hearing and discussion on the impact of low-wage work on the community. Congressman Marc Veasey, State Representative Roberto Alonzo, AFL-CIO leader Rick Levy, and Colby Harris, a Walmart worker and OUR Walmart member, shared their insights.

Immediately following the hearing marchers with banners and signs followed in one of three contingents: Expand Democracy, Defend Human Rights, Good Jobs and Wages. The march ended at the nearby Oak Cliff United Methodist Church with a free picnic and cold drinks. Speakers such as Mark York, head of the Dallas AFL-CIO, George Rangel of Alliance AFT (American Federation of Teachers), Juanita Wallace, President of the Dallas NAACP, Pastor Edgar Bazan, and the Reverend Dr. Freddie Haynes all emphasized the importance of workers having a sustainable wage. Everyone agreed that justice for workers is a struggle that needs to be put in the forefront. One of the popular chants of the march summed it up perfectly: “Worker rights are under attack! What do we do? – Stand up, fight back!”

R. Rieger

9/5/13