Spook the bosses with worker solidarity 😱 | Bulletin

Friend — 

Though we’re nearing the end of Striketober, workers aren’t done standing up to the boss’s spooky scare tactics! This past Sunday, SEPTA workers voted to authorize a strike, which will commence if no agreement is reached by the time their contract expires. This means members of TWU Local 234 could go on strike as soon as midnight on Monday, November 1st. ⏰

As Philadelphians, we rely on the hardworking members of TWU Local 234 to get around the city. And as socialists, we stand with them in their fight for a strong contract. Throughout the pandemic, bus drivers and subway operators have kept this city running at great personal risk, while upper management worked from the comfort and safety of their homes. At least 10 SEPTA workers have died from COVID, and while dealing with tragedy, their families were denied death benefits. 

TWU members were applauded by SEPTA as heroes, but now that these heroes want management to put their money where their mouth is, SEPTA is silent. Philly DSA unequivocally supports SEPTA workers and will be out on the picket line with them in the event of a strike. Sign up to support the workers and spook management by committing to a shift on a picket line or to providing other kinds of strike support. 💪

On the calendar
Unless otherwise specified, all events are held via Zoom. 

Accessibility Committee Meeting, today at 6pm
Join the first official meeting of the committee! Discuss the current state of accessibility in Philly DSA and how we can make our organizing more accessible. All are welcome.

Socialism 101, October 29 at 7pm
Whether you are brand-new to political education or might be interested in a refresher on the basics, this will be a deep-dive into the fundamentals of Socialist political thought. 

Canvass for North New Jersey DSA candidate Joel Brooks! October 30 at 12:30pm
Philly DSA is joining NNJ DSA to canvass for labor organizer and candidate for Jersey City Council Joel Brooks. Transportation will be arranged. 

Member Engagement Committee Meeting, October 31 at 3pm
Join this regular meeting of the Member Engagement Committee to talk about event planning and our holiday fundraiser. All are welcome!

Night School: Should Socialists be Populists? November 3 at 7pm
Is left populism the way out of neoliberal dystopia, or just another symptom of it? At this session of night school, we’ll debate the concept of left populism.

Housing Committee: What is Tenant Organizing? November 4 at 8pm
Discuss the skills and theory involved in organizing with your neighbors to win better housing conditions together. Hear about our ongoing Stomp Out Slumlords campaign to help organize renters at the building level and how you can get involved.

Spiral Q Peoplehood Parade and Art Build, November 4, 6
West Philly radical puppet theatre organization Spiral Q is having their annual Peoplehood Parade on Sat Nov 6 from 1-3pm! Philly DSA’s Racial Justice Committee and Member Engagement Committee are co-sponsoring our participation in the parade. We encourage our members to attend and join in representing Philly DSA during the march. Please plan to arrive between 12-12:30pm. The parade will march from the Paul Robeson house (4951 Walnut St) to Clark Park. 

• In preparation, we’ll be hosting a DSA art build at Spiral Q headquarters (4247 Stiles St) on Thursday, November 4 from 12-8pm. Feel free to come even for a short while; we’d love to have you! 
• Both the art build and parade are family friendly, and no arts experience is required for the build. (Although if you do have experience with painting, drawing, sculpture, or puppet-making, your participation is certainly encouraged!) 🎨
• If you’re interested in joining the art build at Spiral Q on Nov 4, please contact Julia Alekseyeva ([email protected]). If you would like more information about the parade, please contact Aurora Muñoz ([email protected]). More information about DSA’s participation in the parade will appear in next week’s bulletin.

Electoral Committee Open Meeting: Pre-endorsement and Candidate Meeting, November 17 at 6pm
This meeting will cover everything related to our questionnaire and endorsement timeline ahead of the December GM, where the entire DSA body will vote on endorsement in the 2022 primary. The Research and Education subcommittee will present their findings on candidates, districts, win-numbers and overall campaign viability. There will also be candidates present, who will speak to why they believe Philly DSA should endorse them. You won’t want to miss it!

Phonebank for Boston DSA’s endorsed candidates in Somerville
The Electoral Committee encourages you to sign up for a phonebank to support Boston DSA’s candidates for Somerville City Council. If elected, they will make up the first majority-democratic socialist city council! You can also donate if you can’t make calls. ☎️

View the full calendar

Updates from the branches

BuxMont DSA

Bucks Cancel Lunch Debt Coalition Meeting, October 29 at 5pm
Join this strategy session to discuss ways to end school lunch debt, specifically in the Bristol Borough School District.

Socialism 101: Understanding Capitalism, November 1 at 7pm
Discuss an excerpt from Vivek Chibber’s “Understanding Capitalism” on how the elements of capitalism benefit only those in control of production and exploit those who sell their labor.

View all events

This week in unions

KELLOGG’S STRIKE

• Philly DSA members joined striking Kellogg’s workers in Lancaster again this past weekend. They’re very grateful for our support and management has only recently reached back out to begin negotiations, so they may be on strike for a while. Pickets are 24/7 so DSA members are encouraged to head up any time! 
• We are proud to share that our chapter donated $400 to the Kellogg’s workers strike fund. Keep the funds coming here!
• They are holding a rally and cookout THIS Saturday, 10/30, from 12-4. The Labor Branch encourages all members who are able to attend! If you’re able to give a ride or you need a ride, please fill out this form.

SEPTA STRIKE

• All out for the (potential) SEPTA strike! We don’t know for sure if or when workers will strike, but if they do, we want to be prepared. Please fill out this form to sign up to attend a picket line in your neighborhood or to support the workers in some other kind of way.
• We are in need of picket captains, so please volunteer to take on a little extra responsibility if you’re able! Feel free to email Mindy I. ([email protected]) if you have questions.

OTHER LABOR NEWS

• Our labor branch has worked hard to put together a Troublemakers School with Labor Notes! If you’re a union member or workplace activist, register to sharpen your organizing skills.
• Are you a retail or fast food worker? Here’s a great overview of our city’s Fair Workweek law.
• Workers at the Wyndham Hotel are taking a strike authorization vote TODAY. Stay tuned for ways to support in the event of a strike!

To get involved: If you’re interested in supporting workers who want to organize, organizing your workplace, supporting workers and unions taking collective action, or in building relationships with rank and file union members and leaders, email [email protected]. 

On the bulletin

• The Political Education Committee is seeking responses to this form about a Socialism 101 series. If you’re brand new to socialism, or just need a refresher, we’d like to hear from you. 
• The Housing Committee is still collecting survey responses to help identify landlord and property management companies that DSA members have in common. 🏡
• Join us on Slack: If you’re a Philly DSA member and you’d like to join our Slack workspace, please email [email protected].
• Harassment and Grievance Process: Read about the process to file a grievance here.
• Did you know? You can check out all of our past bulletins on our website.

What we’re reading

• After tractor collision during strike, John Deere declares accident reports “confidential” | The Intercept
• Philly remains one of the most racially segregated cities in America | The Philadelphia Inquirer
• A history of strikes at SEPTA, called the nation’s most strike-prone transit agency | Billy Penn
• The Harvard Grad Student Union is on strike again | The Crimson
• Sarah Silverman and the Politics of “Jewface” | Jewish Currents

In solidarity,

Philly DSA

http://www.phillydsa.org/

“For us, there is no valid definition of socialism other than the abolition of the exploitation of one human being by another.” – Che Guevara