Semi-breaking news courtesy of the Bulletin Squad: last night, the Faculty and Staff Federation of Community College of Philadelphia voted enthusiastically and overwhelmingly to strike (the vote, according to FSFCCP’s Twitter, was 98% for). This strike vote comes after three years (!) of negotiations; the university’s “best and final” offer would’ve forced already-overworked CCP faculty to teach a 5/5 courseload in exchange for insufficient raises and higher out-of-pocket costs for health insurance. The walkout could begin as soon as next week.
DSA chapters across the country have been working, through locals but also through the national Democratic Socialist Labor Commission, to support striking teachers by organizing rallies, attending pickets, and donating to strike funds. We’re asking you, if you’re able, to do the same.
Tomorrow, CCP faculty and staff are rallying with AFT President Randi Weingarten. The event starts at noon in the Mint Building; details are available here. Pickets will start soon, and when they do, we’ll be in touch. Until then, if you can pitch in, donate to their strike fund here. If you work at CCP, please get in touch with us at [email protected]. Solidarity from Philly DSA!
National Bernie Endorsement
First, Philly DSA voted to endorse Bernie Sanders for President. Then, DSA members nationally voted to endorse Bernie Sanders for President. Finally, the National Political Committee voted to confirm that endorsement. We’re all in on Bernie, folks!
National is currently soliciting member feedback and gathering info on chapter-level Bernie work. The form to yell at the NPC is here. And, if you’re excited to get to work here in Philly, click below to indicate how you would like to get involved in the first stages of Philly DSA’s Bernie 2020 work.
How to Talk to Your Friends About Beto
The Bulletin has been genuinely struggling on this one: is Texas ex-Congressman Beto O’Rourke hot a threat? His first-day fundraising numbers were impressive, though his $6.1 million came from half as many individual donors (112,000 to Bernie’s 225,000) as Bernie’s $5.9 million. Certainly the liberal media are excited about Beto; see the god-awful Vanity Fair puff piece(according to the candidate himself, he wants to run because he thinks he’d be “good at it”) announcing his candidacy and, perhaps more offensive, the Guardian’s headline declaration that Beto has “smashed” Bernie Sanders’ fundraising record. Interesting word choice when 5.9 and 6.1 both round to six!
Probably, you’ll encounter a Beto Bro in the wild at some point in the next eighteen months. Some are beyond saving. With others, there’s hope. Here are our tips. It certainly helps that Beto, in the rare instances when he does take a stand on an issue, is so often wrong: he has strong pro-charter school ties; he’s already given up on Medicare for All and is now pitching an astroturfed alternative, “Medicare for America”; he took $476,000 in donations from the fossil fuel industry in his 2018 Senate campaign despite signing the No Fossil Fuel Money Pledge. Not to mention he was among the most conservative Democrats in the House during his time representing the deep-blue Texas 16th. Turns out, “Fugazi capitalism” was just capitalism all along.
Something to keep in your back pocket if you ever need to bring someone back into the light.
PHLDSA 2019 Local Convention
Saturday, June 8 | More Details Coming Soon!
OCOS Direct Action: Heal Our Schools Now!
Thursday, March 28 | 4:30 - 7:30 pm | School District of Philadelphia | 440 N Broad St.
BuxMont DSA: Childcare Training
Saturday, March 30 | 2:00 - 4:00 pm | Reformed Church of the Ascension | 1700 W Main St, Jeffersonville, PA 19403
Norristown Medicare for All Canvass
Sunday, March 31 | 12:00 - 4:30 pm | 2308 Carol Lane, Norristown, PA 19403
South Philly Happy Hour
Monday, April 1 | 6:00 pm | American Sardine Bar | 1800 Federal St
Night School: Mass Incarceration
Thursday, April 4 | 7:00 - 9:00 pm | Class of '47 Room, Houston Hall | 3417 Spruce St
BuxMont DSA: Pride (2014) Film Screening
Thursday, April 4 | 7:00 pm | SAGA Community Center, Love in Action UCC | 350 S. York Rd, Hatboro, PA 19040
Marxism and Politics Reading Group
Monday, April 8 | 7:00 - 9:00 pm | Chapterhouse Café | 620 S 9th St
Medicare for All Canvass
Saturday, April 13 | 12:00 - 4:30 pm | Location TBD
Night School: Labor
Thursday, April 18 | 7:00 - 9:00 pm | G7, Irvine Auditorium | 3401 Spruce St
Monday, April 22 | 7:00 - 9:00 pm | Chapterhouse Café | 620 S 9th St
Weeknight Medicare for All Canvass
Thursday, April 25 | 6:00 - 8:00 pm | 5110 Hadfield St, Philadelphia, PA 19143
Diversity and Engagement Committee
The Steering Committee voted to pass resolution 2018.12.04 to create a Diversity and Engagement Committee which will evaluate the demographics of our chapter and deliver a report to the general membership. The committee is seeking three more members to begin its work. If you are interested in helping this effort, please email Eamon Caddigan ([email protected]) or the Philly DSA co-chairs ([email protected]).
Member Surveys: Childcare and Policy
At our November 2018 General Meeting, the local established a childcare committee in order to implement more consistent childcare practices for the organization. We also established a Policy Committee to research policy and present Philly DSA members with the opportunity to engage in discussions about the kinds of policies that we would like to see pursued at all levels of government. Both of these committees have prepared initial surveys to assess member needs and interests in order to guide their work. Please take a moment to fill out the two surveys:
Committee & Branch Meetings
Steering // Outreach // Pol Ed // LILAC // OCOS // Social // Canvassing // Policy // Labor // Housing // Childcare // DelCo // BuxMont
Support Philly DSA !
Local Dues - support our campaign work and cover everyday operating costs like meeting space // Contribute to Philly DSA PAC - help fund our independent electoral campaigns // Accommodations, Accessibility, Childcare - let us know what you need to stay involved // Moved away from Philly? - update your address on the DSA national database.
Isn’t it time to do something? Get involved with the Local.
