Capitalism does not permit an even flow of economic resources.
With this system, a small privileged few are rich beyond conscience,
and almost all others are doomed to be poor at some level. That’s the
way the system works. And since we know that the system will not
change the rules, we are going to have to change the system.
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Comrades,
We hope you're in good health and spirits as we head into the home
stretch of this long pandemic year. Whether or not you're making plans
for the holidays, the option to even gather with others indoors is
something to be grateful for.
The pandemic has shown our interdependence, especially when it
comes to health and healthcare. (For instance, how we protect
ourselves by protecting each other — the state of California is now
recommending COVID booster shots for everyone 18 and older
(https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/11/11/california-urges-covid-booster-shots-for-all-adults/)
.) It's also revealed the fragility, and in many cases the brokenness,
of our systems of care.
After reading that sentence, you may already be thinking of Kaiser
Permanente, the private healthcare giant that's basically synonymous
with this kind of brokenness. Some Kaiser workers have been on strike
for over two months, and many others have threatened to walk out over
wages, patient safety, and adequate staffing.
Today
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/2051/2021-11-18-support-striking-kaiser-engineers-and-pharmacists/)
and tomorrow
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/2052/2021-11-19-support-striking-kaiser-engineers-and-pharmacists/)
, they need community support more than ever, as IUOE Local 39 will be
picketing Kaiser Oakland with members from SEIU-UHW, NUHW, and CNA
there in sympathy. This is an incredible coalition of Kaiser workers,
but they need to show the company that Oakland stands with them,
too.
Kaiser should know by now, since this is their whole business, that
if you neglect workers' health and safety, they can’t possibly keep
patients healthy or safe. Likewise, you can't neglect facilities and
equipment and expect them to function in emergencies. And it should go
without saying that you can't neglect the workers who maintain the
equipment, or it all comes crumbling down. Let's be there today at 5
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/2051/2021-11-18-support-striking-kaiser-engineers-and-pharmacists/)
and tomorrow at noon
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/2052/2021-11-19-support-striking-kaiser-engineers-and-pharmacists/)
to hold up the union workers who hold up our healthcare system.
In solidarity!
News and Information
Be sure to check out East Bay Majority
(https://eastbaymajority.com/) , 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
------------------------------------------------------------
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
(https://eastbaymajority.com/ac-transit-jovanka-beckles-covid-hazard-pay-bus-drivers/)
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 (http://eastbaydsa.org/events/) .
** 🌹SUPPORT STRIKING KAISER ENGINEERS AND PHARMACISTS
------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday,
November 18 | 5–7 p.m.
Kaiser Oakland Medical Center 3601 Broadway,
Oakland ♿️
700 engineers at Kaiser Permanente have been on strike
for over two
months. Although they worked throughout the pandemic
to maintain the
necessary equipment that allows Kaiser hospital
workers to save lives,
Kaiser is offering only meager wage
increases and refusing to actively
bargain with these workers,
represented by IUOE Local 39.
On Thursday, 11/18, and Friday, 11/19, the engineers’ fellow
hospital
workers in SEIU-UHW, NUHW, and CNA are engaging in a
sympathy strike, and are asking for community members to come out to
support them, and to show Kaiser that the community has the back of
the workers that make Kaiser work.
On Thursday, November 18, picketing will be from 5-7 pm at Kaiser
Oakland Medical Center, 3601 Broadway.
On Friday, November 19, a rally and march will be held at noon at
the Kaiser Headquarters, 1 Kaiser Plaza, Oakland.
Oakland is, has been, and will always be a union town!
RSVP
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/2051/2021-11-18-support-striking-kaiser-engineers-and-pharmacists/)
** ABOLITION WORKING GROUP
------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday,
November 18 | 7–8:30 p.m.
RSVP for details
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1955/2021-11-18-abolition-working-group/)
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
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1955/2021-11-18-abolition-working-group/)
** 🌹SUPPORT STRIKING KAISER ENGINEERS AND PHARMACISTS
------------------------------------------------------------
Friday,
November 19 | 12–3 p.m.
Kaiser Headquarters 1 Kaiser Plz, Oakland
♿️
700 engineers at Kaiser Permanente have been on strike for over
two
months. Although they worked throughout the pandemic to
maintain the
necessary equipment that allows Kaiser hospital
workers to save lives,
Kaiser is offering only meager wage
increases and refusing to actively
bargain with these workers,
represented by IUOE Local 39.
On Thursday, 11/18, and Friday, 11/19, the engineers’ fellow
hospital
workers in SEIU-UHW, NUHW, and CNA are engaging in a
sympathy strike, and are asking for community members to come out to
support them, and to show Kaiser that the community has the back of
the workers that make Kaiser work.
On Thursday, November 18, picketing will be from 5-7 pm at Kaiser
Oakland Medical Center, 3601 Broadway.
On Friday, November 19, a rally and march will be held at noon at
the Kaiser Headquarters, 1 Kaiser Plaza, Oakland.
Oakland is, has been, and will always be a union town!
RSVP
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/2052/2021-11-19-support-striking-kaiser-engineers-and-pharmacists/)
** STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING
------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday,
November 21 | 2–5 p.m.
Online via Zoom — RSVP for info
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1484/2021-11-21-steering-committee-meeting/)
♿️
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
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1484/2021-11-21-steering-committee-meeting/)
** MEDICARE FOR ALL COMMITTEE MEETING
------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday,
November 24 | 6–8 p.m.
Online via Zoom
(https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81235048894?pwd=RDZHcnRDQ0FpV3ZndzdUenVJZ3JaZz09)
♿️
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!
RSVP
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1725/2021-11-24-medicare-for-all-committee-meeting/)
Join on Zoom
(https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81235048894?pwd=RDZHcnRDQ0FpV3ZndzdUenVJZ3JaZz09)
** CLASSROOM JUSTICE MONTHLY MEETING
------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday,
November 25 | 7–9 p.m.
Online via Zoom – RSVP for info
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1985/2021-11-25-classroom-justice-monthly-meeting/)
♿️
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]
(mailto:[email protected]) .
https://classroomjustice.org/en/
RSVP
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1985/2021-11-25-classroom-justice-monthly-meeting/)
** INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY COMMITTEE MEETING
------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday,
November 27 | 10 –11:30 a.m.
Online via Zoom – RSVP for info
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/2015/2021-11-27-international-solidarity-committee-meeting/)
♿️
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
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/2015/2021-11-27-international-solidarity-committee-meeting/)
** LABOR COMMITTEE MEETING
------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday,
November 28 | 6–8 p.m.
Online via Zoom – RSVP for info
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1657/2021-11-28-labor-committee-meeting/)
♿️
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] (mailto:[email protected]) .
RSVP
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1657/2021-11-28-labor-committee-meeting/)
** 🌹LABOR COMMITTEE’S NOVEMBER SOCIALIST SOCIAL
------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday,
November 30 | 6–9 p.m.
Eli's Mile High Club, 3629 Martin Luther
King Jr. Way, Oakland ♿️
Join East Bay DSA’s Labor Committee for
our monthly Socialist Social on Tuesday, November 30th, between 6 pm
and 9 pm at Eli’s Mile High Club in Oakland!
Looking for comrades to gripe about the boss with? Seeking advice
for a pitch to your co-workers on getting organized? Interested in
what the local Labor Committee’s up to? Join committee members,
workplace organizers, old-timers, members of the chapter, and curious
fellow travelers at our newly-monthly Labor Committee social. Feel
free to bring your union shirt, pins, articles, or any announcements
and events you’d like to share with committee members and
comrades!
Food and beverages will be available for purchase at Eli’s and the
committee 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
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1657/2021-11-28-labor-committee-meeting/)
** 🌹POLITICAL EDUCATION WITH THE PEOPLE’S TRANSIT ALLIANCE
------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday,
December 1 | 6:30–7:30 p.m.
Online via Zoom
(https://zoom.us/j/7469315862?pwd=TW00NlJGWGsxT2NrTGVhN1ZGd1ZIUT09)
♿️
Save this date and time for the People's Transit Alliance
monthly political education meeting! We open our bi-weekly meeting
time to anyone interested in working through questions of socialism
and public transit, and the possibilities and strategies for
organizing within transit.
This event description will be updated within a week of the event
with the exact topic up for discussion. You can find the archive of
some of our past political education meetings on the Library page of
the People’s Transit Alliance website (https://peoplestransit.org/)
.
RSVP
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1686/2021-11-15-racial-solidarity-committee-monthly-meeting/)
Join on Zoom
(https://zoom.us/j/7469315862?pwd=TW00NlJGWGsxT2NrTGVhN1ZGd1ZIUT09)
Upcoming
Events
** 🌹MEMBERSHIP ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE MONTHLY MEETING
------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday,
December 1 | 7–9 p.m.
Online via Zoom
(https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89946522456?pwd=TDJ0Tzh3K0sxNzlGdHZlREdzMm96UT09)
♿️
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]
(mailto:[email protected]) .
RSVP
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/2004/2021-12-01-membership-engagement-committee-monthly-meeting/)
Join on Zoom
(https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89946522456?pwd=TDJ0Tzh3K0sxNzlGdHZlREdzMm96UT09)
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
(https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeMYhhCCTFq1jGdOt6lcF8l7HQJwnJndD)
Catch up on Night School readings
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/night-school/)
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 (http://dsausa.org/join?source=East%20Bay)
Caucus Corner
Our caucuses organize events too! Check out
the Caucus Corner of our website
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/about/caucuses/) 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!
(https://forms.gle/np21b7Jt225z4xmq5)
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
(https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScWoZTUi2v3AuGH971nreV5H9rtieaW5xRl79ggnGW9Nr5pWg/viewform)
Our bigger-and-better society is now like a hypochondriac, so
obsessed with its own economic health as to have lost the capacity to
remain healthy. The whole world is so greedy for more bathtubs that it
has lost the stability necessary to build them, or even to turn off
the tap. Nothing could be more salutary at this stage than a little
healthy contempt for a plethora of material blessings.
- Aldo Leopold
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