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Lone Star Labor: 3 ways to prep for November NOW

Texas AFL-CIO
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There are just 68 days ‘til Election Day. Here are a few steps you can take TODAY to lay the groundwork for electing pro-worker candidates: 

1️⃣ SIGN UP to join our Texas Labor Votes Statewide Kickoff meeting on Tuesday.

We are at a pivotal moment in our state — the future of our unions, our democracy, and our freedoms is at stake. Corrupt politicians are trying to come after our rights. That’s why we need you with us to stand up to the billionaires and bullies! Join us on Tuesday, Sept. 1 as we kick off our 2026 program and build the path to victory! RSVP here.

2️⃣ DONATE to get your “Proud Union Home” yard sign. 

Every purchase supports our member-to-member program to get out the union vote! Purchase your yard sign today to show your pride! Get your yard sign here.

3️⃣ PLAN your Labor Day.

Labor Day is our official kickoff to the election season. Find an event near you to celebrate with Texas unions and get plugged in for future volunteer opportunities. See the list here.

AS GOES TEXAS LABOR…

Austin & Richardson: Hundreds of union workers rally across North America to protest Xbox layoffs — Game Developer, featuring Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 6215 member John Roberts

Statewide: Education technology industry to advocate for responsible digital usage in classrooms amid proposed screen time limitation — Spectrum News, featuring Texas American Federation of Teachers (Texas AFT) President Zeph Capo

Statewide: Judge Tosses Texas Teachers Union Suit Over Charlie Kirk Firings — Bloomberg

Statewide: ‘A blessing’: AFT moms revel in their kids’ $1,500 scholarships from their unions — AFT, featuring McAllen AFT Local 6329 member Maria Fabiola Cueto de Soria, Northside AFT Local 3216 President Melina Espiritu-Azocar, and their daughters

NEWS TO USE

Starbucks workers union calls for boycott amid contract fight — HuffPost

Against the wind: despite Trump’s attacks, unions are fighting for good US clean energy jobs — The Guardian

Explainer: Trump's mail-in ballot order gets Supreme Court boost but legal fights persist — Reuters

What kids need to thrive in an AI economy — TIME

🤖 AI & TECH NEWS BITE

Workers are essential in conversations about the future of AI. TIME just named AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler to the 2026 TIME100 AI, a list recognizing the 100 most influential people in artificial intelligence (AI). Under her leadership, the AFL-CIO and its Tech Institute developed  the “Workers First Initiative on AI,” the first comprehensive labor movement agenda establishing principles on AI technology. 

TEXAS LABOR FAMILY NEWS

🏃 ON THE MOVE

Katy AFT members just won improvements to their 2027 health plans.

United Association (UA) Pipefitters Local 211 recently celebrated its members who have reached 50 years of service.

💐 IN MEMORY

Brother Derrick Jones, a 22-year member of Teamsters Local 767, recently passed away. 

Sister Dolly Parton, a 58-year member of American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (AFM) Local 257 (Nashville), passed away on Aug. 25 at the age of 80. Read more about her union ties in The Nation’s, “Dolly Parton was a proud union sister.”

Sister Denise Pineda, a member of Edinburg AFT Local 6583, passed away on Aug. 21 at the age of 47.

Sister Regina Lacy Thomas, member of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 218 (Hurst), passed away on Aug. 16 at the age of 70.

Our hearts go out to their union families and all who loved them.

SOLIDARITY CORNER: EVENTS & ACTIONS

🚨 TAKE ACTION

BOYCOTT STARBUCKS: Sign the Pledge with Starbucks Workers United 
Workers are demanding that: 

  1. Starbucks must finalize a fair union contract with 12,000 local baristas and growing.
  2. Workers must be able to survive on a Starbucks paycheck. That starts with a union contract that locks in better pay, better staffing, and enough hours to live on.
  3. Starbucks has to stop breaking the law. They remain the biggest violator of U.S. labor law in modern history. Sign the boycott pledge. 

BOYCOTT TARGET: Shop smart and support working families!
The AFL-CIO has also officially adopted the American Federation of TEachers (AFT) and the Minnesota community’s boycott of Target — until Target is willing to stand with the Twin Cities, publicly call for ICE to stop aggressive enforcement and occupation in Minnesota, and sign on to the Business for Democracy Pledge to protect our democracy. Details. 

MAKE A CALL: Protect Workers from Extreme Heat
Working in extreme heat, both inside and outside, makes workers vulnerable to heat-related illness and even death. Tell Congress to protect workers from heat—and not block heat safety protections. Dial 844-937-2517 or fill out the form to make a call. 

📆 EVENTS THIS WEEK

Saturday, Aug. 29 in San Antonio: ✊ Constitutional Observer Training
Join the San Antonio Alliance (AFT Local 67) for this important training. As San Antonio braces for a massive ramp-up in immigration enforcement, one of the ways we can help mitigate their impact is by learning how to accurately observe and document immigration enforcement activity. Details. 

Tuesday, Sep. 1 online: 💻 Virtual Town Hall: Your Union Needs You! Texas Labor Votes 2026 Statewide Kickoff
It’s going to take all of us to elect pro-worker candidates across the Lone Star State. Join us for Texas Labor Votes 2026 statewide kickoff meeting! Details. 

Plan for Labor Day: 

See all upcoming Texas labor events here.

📝 APPLICATIONS & PROGRAMS

DEADLINE AUG. 31: North Texas: Texas Construction Career Pathways is taking applications for their next DFW Apprenticeship Readiness Program. Details.

💪 TEXAS UNION STAFF JOBS

📸 PHOTO OF THE WEEK

This week, the Texas AFL-CIO hosted its second apprenticeship tour for Texas lawmakers and labor-endorsed candidates — this time at United Association (UA) Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 286. When elected officials and their staff see the inner-workings of U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship Programs, they’re better advocates for us in the Texas Capitol! 

UA 286 Lege Tour

DONATE: Support the Texas AFL-CIO Scholarship Fund

The 23rd annual Texas AFL-CIO • Walter Umphrey Golf Tournament Fundraiser is rapidly approaching, and we need to increase our sponsorship donations to stay on track. Can your union or organization commit to a sponsorship today?  

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