A frightful Hobgoblin stalks through Philadelphia; we are haunted by a Ghost, the Ghost of the deeply weird first English translation of the Communist Manifesto… 👻👻👻
And Philly DSA’s got quite the trick for you this year: a way to get around the city’s regressive minority-party charter requirement and replace Councilman David “Three Percent of the Vote” Oh and the Republicans with two democratic socialist organizers.
Kendra Brooks and Nicolas O'Rourke are running on the Working Families Party ballot line to unseat the incumbent Republican councilors and build a City Council that fights on behalf of the working class and communities of color. We endorsed them as a chapter at our September GM. Help us knock doors and remember to select #716 and #717 for City Council At-Large when you go to your polling place Tuesday.
IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER WHEN YOU’RE VOTING: Don’t click “straight ticket” (the option that automatically populates your ballot with Democrats), as this will exclude Nic and Kendra! Find Nic and Kendra on the ballot under Working Families Party and select them first. You get three more votes for Council-At-Large to distribute as you see fit. So long as you don’t use one on actual vampire Allan Domb...
Domestic Workers Bill of Rights Passes!
After long months of organizing with a constituency that’s famously tough to organize (due to the difficult, isolating, and contingent nature of the work), City Council voted today to pass the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, a set of robust protections for domestic workers championed by the Pennsylvania Domestic Workers Alliance and endorsed by Philly DSA. The final vote was unanimously in favor. Thanks to all our members who worked on this campaign, especially Dave, Larissa, and Mindy!
UAW Strike Ends
Finally, a word about the GM contract, which United Auto Workers members narrowly ratified last week. The final vote was 57% in favor nationally, which is… not great. (Think of the discipline and organizing structure required to keep 50,000 workers on strike, totally unified, for forty days. If you can’t get a supermajority after that, you’ve got serious problems). Workers at the parts distribution center in Langhorne voted down the contract, 43-32.
But, as GM worker Raina Shoemaker told In These Times ahead of the vote, the sense of unity UAW members felt will last beyond one contract fight. “We’ve gotten huge community support that we are so thankful for, especially from Democratic Socialists of America,” Shoemaker said. “Our hearts are so warmed from the community and all the other unions and DSA. We can’t say enough: thank you.”
If your union does something cool between Bulletins, let us know on Facebook or Twitter! Also, if you’re a union member and a member of Philly DSA interested in getting involved with our Labor for Bernie work, please fill out this form.
Teachers’ strikes came full circle last week when the Chicago Teachers Union and SEIU Local 73 walked off the job. It’s not a stretch to say that their demands, if met by the city, would transform public life in Chicago. Listen to an interview with CTU teacher and activist Kenzo Shibata and, if you can, donate to their Bread for Ed fundraiser!
As part of our Labor Week of Action, Philly DSA was at the airport last Thursday with UNITE-HERE members demanding proper healthcare.
Yesterday, workers at WHYY voted 70-1 in favor of unionizing! Welcome to the team, WHYY Union!
Finally, the best season in Your Philadelphia Union’s history ended in a 2-0 conference semifinal defeat to Atlanta United. Unfortunately, that means this bit will have to be retired until MLS resumes play in the spring. Until then, who knows, watch one of the other sports?
Bernie for President Policy and Organizing Training
Saturday, November 9 | 12:00 - 3:00 pm | Griffin Hall, First Unitarian Church | 2125 Chestnut Street
Next Big Bernie 2020 Canvass
Saturday, November 16 | 12:00 - 4:00 pm | Port Richmond | Launch Location TBA | Email Jonah if you need a ride or childcare!
Save the Date! Bernie Debate Watch Party
Wednesday, November 20 | Doors at 8:30, 9:00 pm start | First Unitarian Parish Room | 2125 Chestnut Street
Book Talk with Grace Blakeley: Stolen: How to Save the World from Financialization
Thursday, October 31 | 7:00 - 9:00 pm | Wooden Shoe Books and Records | 704 South St
Single Payer is for Every Body: March and Rally
Friday, November 1 | 4:30 - 5:30 pm | Thomas Paine Plaza | 1401 JFK Blvd
Nic & Kendra City Council GOTV Canvassing
Saturday, November 2 | 1:00 - 4:00 pm | Lombard Cafe, 542 Lombard Street
BuxMont DSA: Connor O'Hanlon for Doylestown Supervisor Canvass
Saturday, November 2 | 10:00 - 1:00 pm & 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Sunday, November 3 | 10:00 - 1:00 pm & 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Membership Phonebank
Sunday, November 3 | 4:00 - 6:00 pm | West Philly | Email Victoria for address
City Council GOTV/Bernie Sanders Canvass
Monday, November 4 | 6:00 - 8:30 pm | West Philly | More times and locations available! Email Jonah for address and details
Marxism and Politics Reading Group
Wednesday, November 6 | 7:00 pm | Chapterhouse Cafe | 620 S 9th Street
Socialist Night School: Winning a Green New Deal
Monday, November 11 | 7:00 - 9:00 pm | Golkin Room, Houston Hall | 3417 Spruce Street
Bernie 2020 Weeknight Canvass
Tuesday, November 12 | 6:00 - 8:30 pm | South Philly | Email Jonah for address
Steering // Communications // Member Engagement // Pol Ed // Electoral // Canvassing // Policy // GND // OCOS // Childcare // Labor // DelCo // BuxMont
Harassment and Grievance Process
In accordance with Article XIII of our Bylaws, a commission has been formed to receive, process, and review grievances for disciplinary action. To read more about the process or to file a grievance you can do so here.
The Policy Committee Needs Your Help!
Do you have a socialist policy idea? Something to start a campaign in the chapter or support our ongoing work at all levels of government? Something that we need to put on Bernie Sanders's desk? The Policy Committee now has a form for members to submit these ideas and work with the Committee on a project. We will help you produce a pamphlet, white paper, or even model legislation!
Get involved in Philly DSA’s Communications Committee
The Philly DSA Communications Committee is looking for writers, artists, programmers, photographers, and anybody else who’s interested in promoting our local’s amazing work. If you’d like to get involved, please email [email protected].
Host a Canvass!
The Philly DSA Canvassing Committee will be running smaller, shorter weeknight and weekend canvasses out of members' homes! If you're interested in hosting a canvass at your residence, please fill out this form. Please email Vicki at [email protected] with any questions.
Member Surveys: Childcare
The Childcare Committee has prepared an initial survey to assess member needs and interests in order to guide their work. Please take a moment to fill out the survey.
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.
In Solidarity,
Your Philly DSA Bulletin Team
Isn’t it time to do something? Get involved with the Local.
