In This Issue  

 Young Democratic Socialists Update: April 22, 2008

Student Labor Week of Action Huge!
 
 
 
 
 
 


 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Student Labor Week of Action Huge! 
A Big YDS Participation, Too
 
The 2008 Student Labor Week of Action saw some 225 actions on 100 campuses nationwide, and Young Democratic Socialists chapters were in the thick of it, organizing labor justice and solidarity events.  Many were tied in with our National Immigrant Rights Project, including solidarity with the Student Farmworker Alliance and Coalition of Immokalee Workers' campaign to pressure Burger King to increase wages for tomato pickers. 
 
Check out the fantastic Wichita State YDS slide show of their tomato challenge, which demonstrates to students the extreme difficulty of farm work and how unfair are the poverty wages the workers receive. Read a letter by a community member in support of WSU YDS against the misguided and poorly informed College Republican counter protest of the event. 
 
The week of action was organized by the Student Labor Action Project, a joint venture of the United States Students Association and Jobs with Justice.  Speaking of Jobs with Justice, its convention is in Providence on May 2-4 this year.  Planning to go? To meet up with YDS members please email yds@dsausa.org. 
 
Latest Update from The Activist
New Articles from YDS's Online Magazine
 
The latest edition of the The Activist, YDS's online magazine, is now available.  Check out the story of a YDS high school chapter's battle for official recognition in one of the country's richest and most reactionary counties. Also featured are stories on third annual Tent State hosted by University of Central Arkansas YDS, a speech by veteran and WSU YDS president Marco Fernandez against the military-industrial complex, and YDS organizer David Duhalde's account of his travels for immigrant rights during the week of action.
 
To contact The Activist please email admin@theactivist.org.
 
Wishing You a Red and Green Earth Day 
Unions Gain in Environmental Protection 
 
Historically, the right wing has taken advantage of tensions between the environmental and labor movements to divide the left.  Despite disputes from fringe, politicized, and corporate scientists, nearly all recognize the need for society to protect the environment if humanity is to survive. Now labor unions can benefit from the movement to protect the earth. 
 
Check out this article from the AFL-CIO (the U.S.'s largest trade union federation) Blog about a recent convention between environmentalists and trade unionists on Green Jobs.  The idea, promoted by Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) Vice-Chair Harold Meyerson in "A Different Recession," is that steps to protect the environment will create many new jobs.  This is an excellent opportunity for our society to create well-paying jobs that help us all. 
 
Bill Fletcher Jr. on "Doing Elections"
A Socialist Analysis of the Importance and Limitations of Electoral Politics
 
The upcoming presidential election guarantees we'll hear the same tired chants of building third parties or not voting at all.  While the Young Democratic Socialists has long rejected these strategies, we recognize the limits for radical change under the current two-party system.  DSA member and prominent left-wing trade unionist Bill Fletcher Jr. writes in "Doing Elections" that the radical left needs to take electoral politics seriously, without false illusions or short term hopes.  You can read the article here.
 
You Still have a Chance to Be a Socialist, and Get Paid, Too
YDS Organizer Application Deadline Extended
 
DSA is extending the application deadline for the position of YDS national organizer.  The position offers an excellent opportunity for any qualified young socialist who is committed to building the progressive youth and student movement.  You'll work closely with YDS members and allies through our fantastic national programming and travel.  The new deadline is April 30th.  Please send a resume and cover letter to DSA National Director Frank Llewellyn at fllewellyn@dsausa.org.

 

 
 
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