General Meeting: October 13, 2019

East Bay DSA General Meeting, October 13, 2019

This is a general meeting of the EBDSA membership. Keith BB and Abigail G-G are chairing the meeting. The Recording Secretary is present and documenting the minutes.

The meeting was called to order at: 1:20 pm

Settle in / Welcome

Keith BB introduced the meeting. After introductions, there was time given to welcome new members, encouraging longer-time members to speak with the new members around them.

Committee Reports and Announcements

Keith BB introduced the Committee reports with an update about the recent appointment of Will S as an at-large member of the Steering Committee. Will S has filled the position formerly held by Jack M. There was an open nomination process for the vacant Steering Committee seat, with a standard requirement of 10 members to nominate a candidate. Will S was the only candidate nominated and the Steering Committee voted to appoint them instead of holding a formal election for one unopposed candidate.

Jeremy G, Will S, and Jesse reported on behalf of the 2020 Committee

Sean M delivered the treasurer's report

Hasan A and WY L reported on behalf of the Racial Solidarity Committee

Eric V and James D reported on behalf of the Medicare for All Committee

Andrew R reported on behalf of the Membership Engagement Committee

Mark G reported on behalf of the Steering Committee

Rex LC reported on behalf of the Communications Committee

Matthew L reported on behalf of the Housing Committee

Shane R reported on behalf of the Labor Committee

Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 192 Report

Keith BB and Richard M delivered a report regarding Strike Support for ATU Local 192.

ATU represents AC Transit operators and mechanics, amongst other AC Transit Workers. Bargaining is going very slowly, but a strike vote was passed. A strike date has not been announced. EBDSA representatives have met with ATU union leadership about building public support for the strike.

Members can expect to see an email with more information about support activities and sign up as interested in participating with the strike support campaign.

The workers in ATU are fighting for higher wages (least paid of any transit agency in the Bay), healthcare, and more humane shifts schedules. The majority of AC Transit workers are black, and many have been displaced to living outside of the cities they work in because of rising rents and stagnant wages

Member Announcements

Keith BB introduced member announcements:

Eric V delivered announcement regarding the upcoming October 27th M4A Bernie Canvass and a call for canvass captain volunteers
Eric V announced that AJ has recently been supporting the swag sales at events and will continue to do so moving forward
Molly delivered announcement about the upcoming primary election and the deadline before March primary in CA. Members are encouraged to sign the Not Me Us Pledge, and to spend at least 2 hours a week volunteering to elect Bernie (tinyurl.com/NotMeUsPledge)
Murph made an announcement about an upcoming meeting of members from Fresno, East Bay, and other CA chapters. The meeting will take place Friday to Sunday in Fresno, speak to Murph for more info.
Brian made an announcement regarding the Red Rabbits, a national and local marshalling and safety team within DSA. There is a safety team working group within the Meetings Committee.

Break

There was a solidarity photo taken for the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) strike, after which as short break was called.

The meeting was called back to order at 2:15am

Resolutions

The meeting did not reach quorum, but resolutions were debated and voted on. Votes were taken as a straw poll, and were non-binding. Resolutions that passed the straw polls will be moved to the December GM Consent Calendar.

The following resolution was motivated by Jeremy G and Siy S, members of the Endorsement Sub-Committee.

Resolution to Endorse the California Schools and Local Communities Funding Act of 2020

Submitted by the Endorsements Subcommittee of the 2020 Committee

Whereas the East Bay DSA Priorities Resolution for 2019 states that the chapter will “Fight for fully-funded, integrated and high-quality public education, from universal child care and pre-K to tuition-free college, and ensure that this funding is paid for via progressive taxation of the wealthy elite”;

Whereas the Priorities Resolution section on Class-Struggle Electoral Work supports electoral campaigns that “Spread class consciousness and build the power and militancy of the working class”;

Whereas the proposed California Schools and Local Communities Funding Act of 2020 (“the Act”) would tax large land-owning corporations to raise over $11 billion in revenue for public schools, community colleges, and local governments throughout the state;

Whereas the Act reforms elements of Proposition 13, a 1978 measure that was both a real and symbolic blow to the welfare state, fueled racist stereotypes of social programs and urban poverty, and foreshadowed a national anti-government movement that propelled Ronald Reagan to the presidency;

Whereas the Act gives EBDSA an opportunity to build on the momentum around education created by the teacher strike wave, to continue to strengthen relationships with teachers and parents, and to work in partnership with teachers’ unions including the Oakland Education Association (OEA), the United Teachers of Los Angeles, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), and the California Teachers Association (CTA) — all of which support the Act, along with many other labor unions;

Whereas, for these reasons, the Endorsements Subcommittee of the 2020 Committee has issued a report recommending that EBDSA endorse the Act;

Therefore be it resolved that EBDSA endorse the California Schools and Local Communities Funding Act of 2020;

Be it further resolved that the 2020 Committee be tasked with overseeing the campaign in support of the Act;

Be it further resolved that, at the discretion of the EBDSA Steering Committee, the chapter join coalitions with labor unions or other groups to collaborate on campaign events, literature, and other relevant tasks;

Be it further resolved that the chapter help publicize campaign events and resources through its official communications channels.

Following motivation, there was a period of questions and answers for the motivators, which was followed by general discussion of the resolution.

Following discussion, there was a non-binding straw poll vote which was unanimously in favor of the resolution, which will place it on the Consent Calendar of the December General Meeting with a “YES’ recommendation.

Alexis V motivated the following resolution.

Resolution to Endorse Alexis Villalobos for State Assembly

Submitted by the Endorsements Subcommittee of the 2020 Committee

Whereas, Alexis Villalobos is running for California State Assembly District 20;

Whereas, Assembly District 20 covers Hayward, Castro Valley, Union City, and parts of San Leandro and Fremont, and is therefore within the jurisdiction of East Bay DSA;

Whereas, Villalobos collected the required number of signatures for an endorsement report and vote, as set out in the 2020 Campaign Proposal (adopted by East Bay DSA’s membership in April 2019);

Whereas, the Endorsements Subcommittee of the 2020 Committee has issued a report recommending that EBDSA not endorse Villalobos;

Therefore be it resolved that EBDSA endorse Alexis Villalobos for State Assembly District 20;

Be it further resolved that the 2020 Committee be tasked with determining the extent and nature of chapter support of the Villalobos campaign.

Following motivation, Katy S-S delivered the Endorsement Subcommittee report, which was followed by a period of question and answers and debate.

Following debate, there was a non-binding straw poll vote in which the resolution failed by a majority. The resolution will be added to the December Consent Calendar with a “NO” recommendation.

The following resolution was withdrawn. The motivation for withdrawal was motivated by submitter Lawrence L.

Resolution to Support Alameda Educators in Their Contract Campaign

Submitted by Chris H., Lawrence L., Joanna J., Dan E., and Gerald S.

Whereas, strikes are the primary method by which workers fight back against capital and the constant pressure of diminishing wages put on us by capitalists.

Whereas, workers gain critical experience through organizing ourselves and working collectively together. Experience that is necessary to further build the labor movement and to expand the struggle against other oppressive social, economic, and political mechanisms.

Whereas, teachers in the Alameda school district are fighting for living wages against a district that refuses to prioritize its workers and the increasing cost of living in the Bay Area and the need to provide adequate benefits

Whereas, the Alameda Education Association has requested salary increases consistent with other districts in the East Bay and have consistently been met with a response demonstrating the district’s disrespect and devaluation of labor,

Whereas, the Alameda Education Association and the district have declared an impasse in contract negotiations and are moving through a process that could result in a strike.

Whereas, the last local teacher strike did much to further class consciousness in the East Bay. And as well as to build strong connections between EBDSA and the broader working-class community.

Whereas, EBDSA stated in our 2019 priorities resolution that we will fight for fully-funded, integrated and high-quality public education.

Therefore be it resolved, that East Bay DSA will stand in solidarity with the AEA in its fight with the district and endorse a strike if one is declared.

Therefore be it further resolved, strike support will be organized through the Public Education Committee in the form of social media support, picket line turnout, and sharing of best practices identified during the Oakland teacher strike.

Therefore be it further resolved, that any additional support, including the use of chapter funds in this campaign, will be submitted as a separate resolution.

Wrap up and announcements

Abigail G-G wrapped up the meeting with final announcements.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 3:30pm.