Thirst, strikes, Bidenomics, and more!
JUL 27
Contact all members of Congress:
- By phone: (202) 224-3121
- By email: democracy.io
- By US mail: Representatives / Senators
- By fax: Representatives / Senators
- By Resistbot: Resist.bot
Contact White House or other federal agencies:
- STRIKES WORK – AND SO DO STRIKE THREATS
The Teamsters announced on Tuesday they have secured an agreement with UPS and now look set to avoid a strike if their members approve. They successful secured pay raises for both full and part-time workers, an end to the two-tiered wage system, a commitment to greatly expand full-time hiring and air conditioning in trucks – all of their major demands, with minimal concessions. This is just the latest demonstration of the power of the strike – even without striking. Let’s take this opportunity to show solidarity with other unions who are putting this power to work. We can a) contact our members of Congress to ask for their support for the UAW during its negotiations with the automakers; b) sign up to volunteer with the Starbucks Workers Union’s new effort to rally customers and allies; c) subscribe to the free newsletter put out by striking Pittsburgh Post-Gazette journalists; or d) if we’re able, contribute to the mutual aid funds for striking writers, Los Angeles hotel workers, or locomotive workers in Erie, Pennsylvania. - BIDENOMICSThe Biden economic policies are lowering inflation, raising job satisfaction, recovering and creating jobs, low unemployment, and generally getting our economy back on track. Unfortunately, this information is not getting much notice. Even Morgan Stanley credits Bidenomics for lifting its outlook. We are seeing a successful departure from Reaganomics/Trickle Down with this administration and the middle class is doing well. Let’s reach out to the White House and thank President Biden, but let’s also help spread the word of good things happening and ask our local media why they are not reporting on it.
- THIRST STRIKES ON CAPITOL HILL FOR A HEAT PROTECTION STANDARD
Climate change-accelerated heat waves have set in worldwide this summer, and they’ve already taken dozens of lives. Yet some of our most essential workers, such as our farmers, don’t have the option of avoiding extended exposure to heat – and don’t have any legal protection against being forced to in most of the country. Only Washington, California and Oregon have binding heat protection standards for outdoor workers, and the federal government does not. In Texas, the state has actually preempted cities from making their own rules requiring water breaks for workers. While President Biden has directed the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to begin rulemaking for such a standard on the federal level, that process can take years. Earlier this week, Rep. Greg Casar (D-TX), along with workers, union members and other elected officials held a thirst strike on the steps of the U.S. Capitol to call for rapid action on heat protection. Let’s add our voices to the call. We can directly contact the White House and OSHA (1-800-321-674) to ask for an emergency heat standard now and the fastest possible implementation of a permanent rule, sign this petition from the United Farm Workers with the same ask, and reach out to our members of Congress to either thank them for signing Rep. Casar’s recent letter pushing for action or asking them to speak up. We can also contact our governors and legislators to push for heat protection laws on the state level.
- MIGRANTS LEFT OUT IN SCORCHING HEAT
Even amidst a heat wave that is rewriting the record books in Arizona, migrants are being left to suffer. Reporters have confirmed that the U.S. Border Patrol is holding migrants in an outdoor pen at the Ajo station in the Sonoran Desert, even as the heat topped 117 degrees. This cruel and unusual treatment is completely unacceptable. Let’s contact the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the White House and demand that these and other migrants be sheltered humanely as the heat wave goes on, and reach our members of Congress to ask them to speak out and hold DHS and CBP accountable.
- JOIN IN MARCH FOR OUR LIVES’ SUMMER TRAINING
Today’s young Americans are deeply alarmed about gun violence and rightly so. We have just passed over 400 mass shootings this year, and 2023 is now on track to be the deadliest year in a decade. People are ready to act and March for Our Lives is ready to help. Concerned young people can learn how to take action against gun violence with March for Our Lives training series to be held from August 7 -10. We can learn about what is going on in the movement against gun violence, how to speak to our communities about it and ways to organize effectively. We can click here to find out more about ways to effectively fight gun violence and then register for sessions if we choose. We can also share this on social media.
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