Texas UAW Leaders Confer on Politics
After Director Wells, the next speaker was Lesley Ramsey, Director of the Texas Fair Trade Coalition. She announced that only 15 Democrats had voted for the Central American Free Trade Act (CAFTA). Three of them were in Texas, and labor did not expect to help any of them. They are Congressmen Henry Cuellar, Solomon Ortiz, and Ruben Hinojosa.
The Bush Administration is trying to institute what they call "free trade," which is actually free only for big corporations and very costly for working people, all over the Western Hemisphere. Their strategy is to take over a few countries at a time. The first pact was NAFTA with Canada and Mexico. CAFTA takes in the Central American countries. The Andean Free Trade Agreement (AFTA) will try to add Peru, Colombia, and Ecuador. Finally, they hope to implement an agreement with 34 counttries, Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA). Ms Ramsey pointed out that the Bush Administration was having a lot of trouble. For example, there were riots when he appeared in Argentina just before our Texas CAP Conference.
Ramsey warned that Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez will be demonized even more in the future because he is opposing the big corporations. She called Chavez, "The next demon poster boy… we're always looking for a bad guy." She said that her organization, working with labor, was building political clout for the 2006 elections.
As Ramsey finished, Texas AFL-CIO President Emmett Sheppard came to the podium. Most of his talk was upbeat. He talked about the numbers of government officials, particularly Texans, who are indicted for possible crimes. Many others may be indicted, he predicted.During the last elections, labor combined its efforts to win in the primaries and in the runoffs. Working with only 62 Democrats in the Texas House (a majority is 75), they were able to find enough support among Republicans to stop some of the bad legislation that was proposed. Sheppard also said that Texas workers benefitted from poor leaders in Austin. He told the group, "If they ever learn how to govern, we're in trouble."
Emmett Sheppard is hopeful for the political future in Texas, but has no unreasonable expectations. He said, "Will we be ready in 2006 to take the state back? Probably not. But possibly by 2010, in time for the next redistricting." He said, "It's not pretty in Texas, but hopefully things are going to change."
Texas AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Becky Moeller summarized Texas labor's situation since several unions disaffiliated. At least one group is making arrangements to continue working together at the state and local levels. In the spring, they hope to have completed plans for a statewide retirees' organization.
The final big educational presentation was made by Region 5 Educator JD Gray. Using facts, figures, and audience participation, Gray brought forward the conclusion that increased political activity is critical for all union members. He said, "It is time for you and I, brothers and sisters, to take a stand, and it begins with the legislative process."