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What Does The Rail Strike Bill Mean?

Last week, Congress adopted a measure that forces a deal between warring national freight railroads and their unions, averting a potential December 9th strike that could have crippled U.S. travel and commerce ahead of the busy holiday shopping season.

The overwhelmingly bipartisan 80-15 vote in the Senate and 290-137 vote in the House sent the measure to President Biden’s desk, which he signed. The lawmakers would not provide rail workers with any additional paid sick leave benefits that union leaders vigorously sought in recent months.

Can they still strike?

Legally, no. The Railway Labor Act, a 96-year-old law prevents railroad workers from striking in the interest of national defense. Any strikes from railway workers or their unions would be illegal or “wildcat” strikes.

Congress and the administration are forcing rail workers to accept a contract they didn’t negotiate, that they don’t want, and that still doesn’t guarantee paid sick days, and other safety concerns.

Why should I care?

  1. Solidarity: “Efforts by private entities to use public power to prevent union activities or to retaliate against workers who organize for their rights ought to be resisted at every level.” – American Solidarity Party Platform
  2. It affects you: the struggles of our rail workers affect our national supply chains. When rail workers are tired and sick, accidents happen, causing injuries and supply chain issues. Also, if this can happen to them it can happen to YOU! An injury to one is an injury to all.

What can we do?

As the bill has been signed into law, we can support rail workers if they decide to strike. Labor organizing and strikes, when necessary, are collective actions by workers.

Support policies and a society of worker ownership. That way decisions are made by workers. Not fat cat executives or congressional cronies. (Texas should create policies and laws to make worker-owned and cooperative businesses easier to establish and operate.- Texas Solidarity Party Platform)

Join the conversation:

Early Voting Starts Today!

Early Voting for the November 8th election has started. Visit your County’s elections page for details on your specific ballot and locations.

Travis | Williamson | Hays | Bastrop | Caldwell

For Federal office, we are not electing the President or a Senator this election. As always for an even-year election, we are voting for the House of Representatives. There are new House districts in effect with this election. If you’re unsure what district you’re in, you can visit the State’s Who Represents Me site and input your address.

For example, it reports the following districts for me:

For Statewide office, we’re electing our Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Comptroller, and the Commissioners of the General Land Office, Agriculture, and Railroad.

The American Solidarity Party has Jacqueline Abernathy running as a write-in candidate for Governor who spoke at our County Convention in May.

State House, Senate, School Board, and various judicial positions are also up for election.

Travis County is selecting our chief executive, known as the County Judge, and the County Clerk. The City of Austin is electing a Mayor for a special two-year term—previously an Austin voter proposition decided to move the mayoral race to Presidential years, and the 2022 election will be a short term to allow for the new term timeline to start in 2024. Some City Council positions are open as well.

There are various bond proposals on the docket: City of Austin Prop A for affordable housing, AISD Prop A for school improvements, Prop B for technology upgrades, and Prop C for athletic facility improvements, Austin Community College Prop A for facility improvements.

Who Should You Vote For?

Ultimately, this is for you to decide. As a county chapter of a small, grassroots third-party, we see the existing two-party system which often demands party over principles is not healthy for our country.

Common Good | Common Ground | Common Sense

We believe that our elected officials should aim to improve the common good through common sense proposals which can gain common ground amongst Americans.

Our platform includes the Sanctity of Life. This is different than “Pro-Life” as seen in today’s political world. Human life is sacred—from conception to natural death. Abortion, euthanasia, the death penalty, and attacks on innocent human life—including the horrific gun violence that has taken too many—is all part of this. Both of the mainstream political parties fail at this, but we absolutely reject that someone must vote Republican.

Social Justice and Community-Oriented Societies are crucial to our country’s success. We are responsible to vulnerable members of our society and we are required to have societal structures that uphold our equal values. We must be aware of and address systemic and historical injustices.

Our society is built upon different types of communities—family, governmental, educational, and religious. These communities should be allowed to flourish. Higher forms of government should support, not supplant, local forms of government. Families are the essential building blocks of communities and must be supported.

Economic security is essential. Workers’ rights and a fair, living wage must be ensured.

Our environment is a gift to all of us and we must treat it as humble stewards.

Peace and corporation amongst nations is essential to our global world. Military action should be rare, but when needed, should follow just-war principles.

Read more about the ASP Platform.

All that said, the Travis County ASP encourages all voters to consider the principles held by those the candidates are electing, not simply what party the candidates belong to.

Results of the TCSP Convention 5/21/2022

This past Saturday, May 21st, the Travis County Solidarity Party held its first in-person County Convention. During the convention, members discussed and planned strategies for local engagement and growth, and elected new officers for the 2022-2024 term. Dr. Jacqueline Abernathy, the ASP candidate for Texas Governor came and spoke about her campaign and why it’s important to be a person willing to run to make a change.

The new officers for the 2022-2024 term are:
Brandon Kraft- Chair
Andrew Kinney- Vice-Chair
Brian Talbot- Secretary-Treasurer

May 2022 Voters Guide

Just in time for early voting our May 2022 Voters Guide!

Some notes on Austin Prop A, we do not endorse the legalization or use of marijuana. But too often, marginalized groups are convicted and punished at much higher rates than others of different demographics for similar or sometimes the same offense! Also, no-knock warrants are banned in Prop A, and that is a good thing that just happens to be tied on.

Don’t see your race on here and want our thoughts? Send us a message or email (asptraviscounty@gmail.com) and we’ll let you know where we stand.

State Constitutional Amendments, Props 1&2: Yes

Austin Prop A: Yes

Cedar Park Props A, B, C: Yes

Cedar Park Mayor: James Penniman-Morin

Cedar Park City Council Place 2: Collin Klein

Cedar Park City Council Place 4: Eric Boyce

Cedar Park City Council Place 6: Heather Jefts

Leander Props A, B, D, E, H, I, J, K, L, N, O: Yes

Leander Props F, G, M: No

Leander City Council Place 1: Trey Schisser

Leander City Council Place 3: Steve Hanes

Leander City Council Place 5: Bill Louden

2022 County Convention

Austin History Center ( 810 Guadalupe St. Austin, TX 78701)

The Travis County Solidarity Party will be having its biennial County Convention on May 21st at the Austin History Center, from 10:30-12:30. Party business will be conducted including the election of new officers for the 2022-2024 term. Please fill out this form if you are interested in attending or running for a leadership role. Attendance is open to all party members that live in the Greater Austin Area. If you would like to add any business to the agenda please contact us.

In Solidarity,
Brian Talbot