Randi Weingarten Calls for Solution-Driven Unionism!

Dear Commons Community,

Barbara McKenna from the AFT sent along this piece on Randi Weingarten’s  keynote at the AFT convention in Detroit  in July.  Weingarten called for “solution-driven unionism,” a new vision that advances solutions focused on uniting union members, the people they serve and the communities in which they live.

Weingarten said that America’s workers face a new normal—with severe budget cuts jeopardizing public education, healthcare and other critical services; families losing more than 30 percent of their wealth during the economic crisis; and more than 100 bills introduced in state legislatures to demonize public employees and undermine public services. “More than ever, we need to act in innovative, creative and new ways,” she said, “simultaneously refuting our critics, advancing our values, connecting with community and proposing solutions. That’s solution-driven unionism.”

Read the full text of the speech

Tony

 

Update on the Shooting Near Texas A&M!

Dear Commons Community,

To update the story on the shooting near Texas A&M.   A gunman opened fire on police officers near the Texas A&M University campus shortly after noon yesterday, killing at least two people, including a local constable, and wounding four others, the police said. The gunman, who was shot by officers, died after he was taken into custody.

The police identified the constable as Brian Bachmann and said he was shot after approaching the gunman’s house on Fidelity Street about two blocks from campus. A 43-year-old man, Chris Northcliff, who was outside at the time, was also killed.

The gunman, who was identified as Thomas Caffall, 35, opened fire with what a witness said was an assault rifle and was then shot by the police and taken into custody. An unidentified 55-year-old woman was wounded and was in serious condition after surgery. Three College Station police officers were also wounded: Officer Justin Oehlke was shot in the calf and was in stable condition, and Officers Brad Smith and Phil Dorsett were treated at a hospital and released.

The police said that Mr. Bachmann, 41, had gone to the house to serve an eviction notice. It was unclear whether Mr. Caffall took aim at the victims or whether they were killed in the exchange of fire with officers.

Tony