Solidarity is what we want. We do not want to find fault with each other, but to solidify our forces and say to each other: We must be together; our masters are joined together and we must do the same thing.



-- Mother Jones



Comrades,



Striketober ain't going away! This very morning in Oakland, you can join a rally to support striking Kaiser Permanente workers ([link removed]) – and many more Kaiser workers could end up striking soon ([link removed]) . A central issue at Kaiser, as well as John Deere ([link removed]) and Kellogg's ([link removed]) , is a two-tiered system of wages and benefits that puts future new hires in an essentially lower class. Management thinks this is an easy sell: a good deal for current workers, a bad deal for others down the line who don't get a vote. But for class struggle unions, a two-tiered system that divides and drives a wedge between

workers is unacceptable.



Of course, there are two sides to any story, and that's true in labor negotiations, too. Management has their side, and their jargony justifications that get repeated in papers and on cable news:



"[W]e are proposing a market-based compensation structure... that will allow our new employees to be paid above market wages on average, receive the same excellent, market-leading benefits, and enable us to continue attracting and retaining top talent," the senior vice president of human resources at Kaiser Permanente said in a statement. ([link removed])



But what's remarkable in a strike wave like this one is, for once, actually hearing what workers have to say:



We as a union body can't go work with our friends... and say, "I'm better than you even though we do the same thing. I'm worth more dollars an hour than you." It's just not fair. ([link removed])



And just like hearing stories about America's dysfunctional healthcare system, or our cruel and racist systems of justice and welfare, hearing workers' stories directly cuts through all the ideology and makes the real stakes clear. Class politics, class consciousness, makes instant sense.



"We’re fighting corporate greed because none of the companies asking for a two-tier system actually need it, they just want it," said Kevin Bradshaw, a Kellogg worker and vice president of Local 252G in Memphis, Tenn. 'If you’re not equal in pay, you’re not equal.'" ([link removed])



When we get to hear these stories, we realize these struggles are never just about one job or one industry. They're about solidarity for the whole working class. When we fight, we don't just fight for a set of demands. We reclaim our power by standing together, by refusing to leave each other behind.



In solidarity!





News and Information

Be sure to check out East Bay Majority ([link removed]) , East Bay DSA's news source with a socialist perspective, for the latest news and information.





** DEMANDING HAZARD PAY, TRANSIT WORKERS FORCE AC TRANSIT TO THE NEGOTIATING TABLE

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All across California, frontline workers have demanded and won hazard pay during the pandemic, especially in grocery, retail and healthcare workplaces. Transit workers in the Bay Area, though, have not received one penny of extra compensation for continuing to work in life-threatening conditions. On July 28, over 40 AC Transit workers and riders spoke up at the AC Transit board meeting to demand transit workers be paid retroactive hazard pay.



Read more ([link removed])

Featured Events

While we are still mostly unable to meet face-to-face, events are still going on that you can be a part of. Events with a 🌹 are great for new members. RSVP below to stay updated. You can also keep track on our Events page ([link removed]) .





** 🌹SUPPORT KAISER STATIONARY ENGINEERS ON STRIKE

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Today! October 21 | 11 a.m.–1 p.m.

Kaiser Oakland Medical Center, 3600 Broadway, Oakland ♿️

700 stationary engineers at Kaiser Permanente have been on strike since September 18. After working hard throughout the COVID pandemic to keep Kaiser hospitals running, Kaiser is refusing to bargain in good faith with Stationary Engineers Local 39, the union representing the workers who maintain fire, life, safety, and mechanical systems in Kaiser-owned buildings, including all patient-related equipment and medical systems. After over a month, Kaiser is barely budging, dragging their feet, and making “offers” that are insulting and unfair. Nevertheless, the workers are staying strong, and another union, SEIU-UHW, is holding a rally today, 10/21, to support the engineers’ ongoing struggle!



RSVP ([link removed])





** ABOLITION WORKING GROUP

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Tonight! October 21 | 7–8:30 p.m.

RSVP for location information ([link removed]) ♿️

Meeting of the Abolition Working Group to hear about work done by members who are organizing for the abolition of the Prison Industrial Complex, and to do political education, plan actions, and hold space for folks within the chapter to get involved.



RSVP ([link removed])





** INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY COMMITTEE MEETING

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Saturday, October 23 | 10–11:30 p.m.

Online via Zoom – RSVP for info ([link removed]) ♿️

Join us for our International Solidarity Committee meeting! We will discuss the state of international struggles, ongoing solidarity work with other organizations, and planning the future work of the committee.



RSVP ([link removed])





** DEMAND HAZARD PAY FOR TRANSIT WORKERS



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Saturday, October 23 | noon–2 p.m.

San Jose City Hall, 200 E Santa Clara St, San Jose ♿️

Since the very beginning of the pandemic, Bay Area transit workers have been on the frontlines providing our communities with essential service. They have sacrificed so much during this pandemic, but have not been compensated for that sacrifice. Join us at San Jose City Hall on October 23rd at noon to demand that VTA transit workers be paid back hazard pay for their service to our communities throughout this pandemic.



RSVP ([link removed])





** 🌹HISTORY OF COMMUNISM IN INDIA



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Sunday, October 24 | 9:30 –11:30 a.m.

Online via Zoom – RSVP for info ([link removed]) ♿️



October 17, 2021 marked 101 years of the Indian communist movement, which started in the intertwined currents of the Indian national liberation struggle and the dream of socialism inspired by the October revolution. Communism in India has had a unique and distinctive political presence in breathtakingly different currents, ranging from mainstream electoral parties (CPI, CPI-M), coalitions, associations, and a variety of non-party groupings, as well as a smaller, more radical, armed expression in the rural Maoist insurgency. The movement has made significant contributions to India’s political landscape and still remains one of the largest socialist movements in the world.



As the Indian left celebrates this 101st anniversary, we at East Bay DSA hope to learn from the achievements and setbacks of one of the oldest and largest socialist movements in the world. We are pleased to have two panelists from India – join us as we discuss the history of communism in India with Professors Chattopadhyay and Datta Gupta. More information on both speakers at the RSVP link below.



RSVP ([link removed])





** STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING



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Sunday, October 24 | 2–5 p.m.

Online via Zoom – RSVP for info ([link removed]) ♿️

See how your elected leadership works as we deliberate on current chapter issues. This meeting is open to all DSA members to observe the proceedings. Please RSVP for the Zoom link. The agenda is TBA.



RSVP ([link removed])





** EAST CONTRA COSTA SOCIAL



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Monday, October 25 | 5–7 p.m.

TableFlip Gaming, 7730 Brentwood Blvd. Suite A, Brentwood – RSVP here ([link removed]) ♿️

Throughout autumn, members of East Bay DSA's Branches Working Group are organizing **socials** so you can connect with comrades and local DSA work in your own cities and neighborhoods!



Calling on residents of Antioch, Concord, Pittsburgh, Brentwood, Oakley, Bay Point, and beyond! Join us on October 25 from 5–7 p.m. for a social at Tableflip Gaming in Brentwood. Bring family, comrades, and prospective East Bay DSA members!



We'll share some info about local East Bay DSA work, as well as the Branches Working Group -- but mostly it's an opportunity to hang out and meet other DSA members in your city.



Masks are required. Please RSVP below!



RSVP ([link removed])





** GREEN NEW DEAL COMMITTEE ORIENTATION



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Monday, October 25 | 7:30–8:30 p.m.

Online via Zoom – RSVP for info ([link removed]) ♿️

We are holding an orientation for members interested in learning more about ecosocialism and getting involved in the Green New Deal Committee. We will have a brief overview of ecosocialism, discuss the ecosocialist principles of a Green New Deal, and then talk about what the committee is up to and where we want to be headed.



RSVP ([link removed])





**

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🌹SPOOKY SOCIALIST SOCIAL

Tuesday, October 26 | 6–9 p.m.

Eli's Mile High Club, 3629 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Oakland ♿️

A specter is haunting the Bay Area – the specter of communist unionism. Join East Bay DSA’s Labor Committee for our Spooky Socialist Social, the second in-person committee-sponsored social of 2021!



Come meet members of the committee, friends of the committee, fellow travelers, DSA members, and the socialism and unionism curious! We’ll have announcements on upcoming committee events to share, organizers on committee projects to chat with if you’re curious to plug into labor organizing but don’t know where to start, and members of unions throughout the Bay Area to discuss workplace politics and power with. Feel free to bring your union shirt, pin, DSA garb – comradely costumes are also encouraged.



Food and beverages will be available for purchase at Eli’s. Spooky Socialist Social will be hosted in the backyard patio of the bar. Eli’s requires all patrons to wear a mask and bring a vaccination card and will check for both at the door. Please bring both in order to attend. Accessible by BART with the nearest stop at MacArthur BART and a 7-minute walk away.



RSVP ([link removed])





** OCTOBER ELECTORAL COMMITTEE MEETING



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Tuesday, October 26 | 6:30–8 p.m.

RSVP for location information ([link removed]) ♿️

Interested in helping shape East Bay DSA's electoral strategy for 2022? Join us as we convene our first in-person meeting of the electoral committee to talk strategy, get to know our electoral organizers, and get involved with our current work! In-person attendees will require proof of vaccination and masks.



RSVP below for full details! Please reach out to [email protected] with any accessibility requests.



RSVP ([link removed])





** MEDICARE FOR ALL COMMITTEE MEETING



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Wednesday, October 27 | 6–8 p.m.

Online via Zoom ([link removed]) ♿️

With the pandemic and its multiple, intersecting crises, and the polling popularity of Medicare for All, our commitment to the movement is more important than ever. Come learn about our committee's efforts, as well as local, state, and national initiatives around Medicare for All and single-payer healthcare. All are welcome!



Join on Zoom ([link removed]) RSVP ([link removed])

Upcoming Events





** CLASSROOM JUSTICE MONTHLY MEETING



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Thursday, October 28 | 7–9 p.m.

Online via Zoom – RSVP for info ([link removed]) ♿️

Join the Classroom Justice Campaign! Classroom Justice is a locally-run campaign that seeks to fight against the injustices happening in our public school system by a cabal of privatizers, whose sole purpose is the dismantling of every public service in this country. If you want to join in the fight against these gentrifiers or merely have questions, sign up or send your inquiries to [email protected].



[link removed]



RSVP ([link removed])





** BERKELEY/ALBANY/EMERYVILLE SOCIAL



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Saturday, October 30 | 2–5 p.m.



Live Oak Park, Berkeley 1301 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley – RSVP here ♿️

Throughout autumn, members of East Bay DSA's Branches Working Group are organizing **socials** so you can connect with comrades and local DSA work in your own cities and neighborhoods!



Calling on residents of Berkeley, Albany, Emeryville, and beyond! Join us on Saturday, October 30 for a social potluck at Live Oak Park in Berkeley. Bring family, comrades, and prospective East Bay DSA members!



We'll share some info about local East Bay DSA work, as well as the Branches Working Group — but mostly it's an opportunity to hang out and meet other DSA members in your city.



This social is outdoors and masks are required. Please RSVP below!



RSVP ([link removed])





** LABOR COMMITTEE MEETING



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Sunday, October 31 | 6–8 p.m.

Online via Zoom – RSVP for info ♿️

Please join the East Bay DSA Labor Committee for our regular monthly meeting. It's open to all DSA members who are interested in getting involved in labor work with their comrades! Learn more about how to get involved in the committee, our ongoing projects, and upcoming solidarity actions! If you'd like to submit an item for the agenda, please email [email protected].



RSVP ([link removed])





** MEMBERSHIP ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE MONTHLY MEETING



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Wednesday, November 3 | 7–9 p.m.



Online via Zoom ([link removed]) ♿️





We need your help building a strong and active chapter! Join our next Membership Engagement Committee monthly meeting and learn how you can put your skills to work or grow new ones you never knew you had!



The Membership Engagement Committee was created for the purpose of initiating and sustaining our members' active and healthy participation in the chapter's work. We cannot grow our movement without engaging and fostering growth within our current membership. We strive to grow confident organizers and leaders as well as strong relationships between comrades in our chapter by supporting all committees in their work and creating spaces for learning and camaraderie.



Our committee builds and maintains projects such as (but not limited to) our mobilizers program, planning and execution of chapter socials, new member events, and Organizer's Toolbox Trainings, as well as managing the onboarding of new members. As our chapter grows, we need to grow our efforts with it and would love to welcome new members to our committee. Contact us at [email protected].



Join on Zoom ([link removed]) RSVP ([link removed])



CATCH UP ON NIGHT SCHOOL

Even with social distancing guidelines lifted, now's still as good a time as any to catch up on our Socialist Night School.



Catch up on past night school readings and videos below.



Watch past Night School videos ([link removed])



Catch up on Night School readings ([link removed])



Not a Member Yet? Let's Fix That.

DSA now has more than 90,000 members nationally, and we're still growing. There's never been a better time to get involved than right now! Join our national organization by clicking below and become an official socialist organizer.



Join DSA ([link removed])



Caucus Corner

Our caucuses organize events too! Check out the Caucus Corner of our website ([link removed]) to learn more about the activities of East Bay DSA caucuses and how to participate.





Announcements



SIGN UP TO TALK TO A MOBILIZER!

Are you a new DSA member? Or are you looking to get more involved with East Bay DSA's projects and campaigns? Sign up to talk to a mobilizer!



Here are three reasons to sign up to talk to a mobilizer:

1. Meet a fellow socialist organizer

We want to build a movement of millions of working class people and change the exploitative and oppressive system in which we live, but we do that first and foremost by building one-to-one connections with each other.



2. Answer your questions

Learn more about DSA, the local East Bay chapter, and our different committees and projects.



3. Get more involved

The main thing a mobilizer will help you with is getting more involved in DSA. Maybe there’s a campaign or project you’re particularly interested in, or maybe you’re a blank slate and you don’t really know what to do. Either way, a mobilizer will help you figure it out.



Sign up to talk to a mobilizer! ([link removed])





EAST BAY DSA MEMBER SURVEY ON BRANCHES

Now you’ve seen EBDSA Branch socials on the calendar and photos in the newsletter. Maybe you’ve even attended one! But have you taken our Branches Working Group’s member survey? Please take 5 minutes to fill out this survey to help us craft our proposal, which will be reviewed by the Steering Committee and approved by the general membership.



Your input on how and where to form branches, and what work you'd like to see them take on, will be invaluable in crafting a proposal.



Take the survey ([link removed])



The man who seeks to arouse prejudice among workingmen is not their friend. He who advises the white wage-worker to look down upon the black wage-worker is the enemy of both.



-- Eugene V. Debs







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East Bay DSA - United States

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