Steering Committee Minutes: September 22, 2019

East Bay DSA, Steering Committee Meeting, September 22, 2019, 5pm-6:30pm

Introduction

Keith B.B. chaired the meeting, which convened at 5pm virtually via ZOOM call. The secretary was taking notes. Also present at the meeting were Annika B., Allie L., Marrisa S., Jack M., Maura M., Sean M., Shane R., Matt S., and Rex L.C., who joined during the second portion of the call and was present for the vote.

The chapter’s grievance officers were also on the call.

Grievance process overview

Keith B.B. gave an introduction, which was followed by a presentation from the chapter’s Grievance Officers who provided an overview of the grievance process. When grievances are received, the officers review the materials, alert the chairs, and pursue a process for resolving the grievance which may include further investigation. Resolution 33 and the Chapter's code of conduct are used to evaluate grievances. If grievances are related to personal conflicts, there is a conflict resolution process. Grievances can be filed by emailing the grievance officers at grievance@eastbaydsa.org.

Following the presentation, there was a period of questions and answers with the Grievance Officers.

At-Large Steering Committee Member Replacement

Keith B.B. introduced the second portion of the meeting, regarding the replacement of Jack M. as an at-large member of the Steering Committee. Jack M. shared two competing resolutions which proposed either appointment or open election to fill the vacancy on the SC.

[SC.2019.105] Resolution to Appoint Will S. to the East Bay DSA Steering Committee At-Large Vacancy

Submitted by Jack M.

Jack M motivated the following resolution.

Whereas, Jack M. is resigning from the East Bay DSA Steering Committee effective October 1st 2019.

Whereas, the next six months will be a critical time in our chapter for the fight for socialism during the 2020 Democratic Party Primary that will require a full leadership body to steer the chapter.

Whereas, Will S. has been an active leader in our chapter as co-chair of the Housing Committee and leader on the campaign for rent control in Hayward.

Whereas, Will S. is now a leader on East Bay DSA’s campaign for Bernie Sanders and is personally responsible for three of the most important aspects of the campaign––regional organizing, liasing with the national DSA for Bernie campaign, and supporting campaign organizing through YDSA chapters and organizing committees in East Bay.

Whereas, Article VII of East Bay DSA’s Bylaws states “The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the Chapter in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws and any special rules of order which the Chapter may adopt.”

Whereas, Robert’s Rules §47 states: “The power to appoint or elect persons to any office or board carries with it the power to accept their resignations and also the power to fill any vacancy occurring in it, unless the bylaws expressly provide otherwise.”

Whereas, the most recent precedent in East Bay DSA for an at-large vacancy on the Steering Committee is to replace by appointment by the Steering Committee.

Therefore be it resolved, Will S will be appointed as at-large member of the East Bay DSA Steering Committee, effective October 1st 2019.

Following debate, the resolution FAILED by a vote of 3 in favor and 7 against.

[SC.2019.106] Resolution to Elect an At-Large Steering Committee Member at the October General Meeting

Submitted by Jack M.

Jack M motivated the following resolution.

Whereas, Jack M. is resigning from the East Bay DSA Steering Committee effective October 1st 2019.

Whereas, East Bay DSA’s bylaws do not specify how a Steering Committee member should be replaced in the event of a vacancy.

Therefore be it resolved, an election for an at-large member of the East Bay DSA Steering Committee will be agendized at the October 2019 General Meeting.

Therefore be it resolved, this election will be announced to the membership of East Bay DSA by September 23rd and nominations to run for the seat will be accepted immediately until midnight on October 3rd 2019.

Therefore be it resolved, that an Election Committee will administer the election and will be nominated and voted on by the Steering Committee via email vote by Friday September 27th, 2019.

Following motivation and amendment, the resolution PASSED by a vote of 8 in favor and 1 against.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 6:45pm.

Addenda

[SC.2019.103] Resolution for ATU 192 Strike Support Campaign

Submitted by Keith B.B.

On September 19, Keith B.B. called an email vote for the following resolution.

Whereas the East Bay DSA 2019 Priorities Resolution set priorities to provide strike support and build connections with rank & file workers from the racially-diverse East Bay working class,

Whereas Amalgamated Transit Union Local 192 (ATU 192) is the union of approximately 1,900 AC Transit bus drivers and mechanics, serving the East Bay from Fremont in the south to Richmond in the north,

Whereas ATU 192 is a union with a long history of driving labor militancy in the East Bay, from its strategic position to disrupt the transportation needed for capitalist profit, and has not gone on strike since 1977,

Whereas ATU 192 has recently supported democratic socialist candidates, with one of the first East Bay labor endorsements of Jovanka Beckles, and the ATU international union endorsement of Bernie Sanders in the 2016 primary (though ATU has made no endorsement yet this cycle),

Whereas ATU, both locally and nationally, has a long history of fighting to win adequate public funding for transit service (known as transit operating funding), and Bernie Sanders, in his Green New Deal platform, proposes to increase federal transit operating subsidies by $300 billion,

Whereas an overwhelming majority of ATU 192 workers are Black, with strong connections within churches and other institutions of the East Bay's working class Black community,

Whereas AC Transit management has allowed only 1% standard raises for recent years, resulting in the displacement of many ATU 192 workers from the East Bay due to skyrocketing housing costs,

Whereas AC Transit management is refusing to grant a new contract with a living wage, decent working conditions (particularly work breaks and sick leave), and sufficient healthcare,

Whereas ATU 192 members on September 8th 2019 voted 98.5% to authorize a strike, most likely to occur in October or November if negotiations do not improve,

Whereas ATU 192 leadership, in a meeting with co-chair Keith B.B. and chapter member Richard M., requested East Bay DSA help build support for ATU workers among AC Transit riders and the broader community, and either suggested or supported the specific tactics outlined in this resolution,

Therefore be it resolved, East Bay DSA will launch an ATU Strike Support Campaign, until an ATU 192 contract is signed, with the political goals:

i. to support ATU 192 worker victories in their contract fight;

ii. to build relationships with rank & file ATU 192 workers and support them to build militant power in their union;

iii. to build community support for transit workers, and for a Green New Deal and a Bernie Sanders presidency as solutions to support public transit and workers' power.

Be it further resolved, East Bay DSA, in consultation with ATU 192 elected leaders and members, will employ some or all of the following tactics in this work:

Canvassing transit riders at bus stops and BART stations, for direct conversations about why and how to support ATU 192 workers. If capacity is too limited to create new ATU-specific canvasses, this may be added to our existing DSA for Bernie canvassing at BART stations.
Posters to be placed at bus stops, supporting solidarity between bus riders and drivers.
Publicity, through Majority and chapter social media, for the ATU 192 workers’ demands, their political context, and potential actions for community support.
Picket line turnout, in the event a strike is called, through member textbanking, phonebanking, emails, and social media.

Be it further resolved, East Bay DSA initially authorizes a budget of up to $800 for posters, flyers, and other materials needed for this strike support campaign,

Be it further resolved, the East Bay DSA chairs will convene a Coordinating Team for the ATU Strike Support Campaign, which will aim to draw together as many members as possible for the organizing work of this campaign.

The resolution PASSED by a vote of 8 in favor and none against.

[SC.2019.104] Resolution to send Gavin Newsom a letter in support for AB 32

Submitted by. Rex LC

On September 19, Keith B.B. called an email vote for the following resolution.

Whereas the racial solidarity committee has been mobilizing around AB 32 as a part of our work on Open Borders in accordance with national resolution 73 and the chapter's Resolution to Endorse Open Borders.

Whereas this legislation would divest California from for profit prisons and immigrant detention centers, and begin to remove the profit motive for companies to invest in mass incarceration, which disproportionately hurts communities of color.

Whereas AB 32 is currently awaiting Gavin Newsom's signature to become law and undocumented led organization CIYJA has requested our support by submitting a letter to Gavin Newsom in favor of the legislation by tonight.

Therefore be it resolved That the chapter will customize as fit and sign the sample letter of support for AB 32 provided by CIYJA, and submit it to jgonzalez@sfbar.org before the end of Thursday, September 19, 2019 so it can be delivered to Gavin Newsom.

The resolution PASSED by a vote of 8 in favor and none against.