Lone Star Labor: Big wins & investing in the next generation
We’ve got some big Texas labor wins listed below, but first, we’re proud to announce that we’ve awarded $37,500 for college and career-building scholarships this year! You can see all the winners (and where they’re headed!) here.
Thank you to our Scholarship Committee members, and all of our Central Labor Bodies, for their work to select recipients. We’re investing in the next generation’s education because it’s going to take all of us to build a state that works for working people!
Can you help us sustain this important work for union families?
CHIP IN $10 to the SCHOLARSHIP FUND
SPONSOR the GOLF TOURNAMENT FUNDRAISER
AS GOES TEXAS LABOR…
🏆 Austin: CapMetro transit workers reach tentative contract agreement, averting potential strike — KVUE, featuring Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1091 President & Business Agent Brent Payne and ATU International President John Costa
Austin: Austin's lowest-paid city workers could get bigger raises under new budget change — Austin American-Statesman, featuring American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 1624 President Brydan Summers
Corpus Christi: CCISD heads into new school year with changes to campuses, schedules and staffing — KIII-TV, featuring Corpus Christi American Federation of Teachers (AFT Local 3456) President Dr. Nancy Vera
🏆 Dallas: Dallas Black Dance Theatre seals first union deal after two difficult years — The Dallas Morning News, featuring American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) National Organizing Director Griff Braun
El Paso: Health workers participate in national protest, calling for fair pay and staffing — KFOX 14, featuring Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Texas
🏆 Houston: Airport workers receive 33% raise under Whitmire order, continuing union wins at city facilities — Houston Public Media, featuring Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Texas and UNITE HERE Local 23
Marshall: Workers organizing union at Panola Harrison Electric Cooperative in Marshall — KETK, featuring International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Lead Organizer David Galvan and IBEW Local 738 Business Manager & Financial Secretary Mike Henry
Tyler: Tyler union hosts annual backpack giveaway ahead of new school year — CBS 19, featuring IUE-CWA (the Industrial Division of the Communications Workers of America) Local 86782
Statewide: Gov. Greg Abbott meets with new Texas Classroom Commission to discuss public education — CBS Austin, featuring Texas American Federation of Teachers (Texas AFT) President Zeph Capo
NEWS TO USE
Affordability's key ingredient is union power — In These Times
Union-supported Bus Operator Safety and Security Act introduced in the U.S. Senate - SMART Union
Could airport security go private? TSA workers sue over Gold+ — USA Today
🤖 AI & TECH NEWS BITE
"These results make it clear: our Workers First Initiative on AI is not just a set of principles, but a mandate to deliver," AFL-CIO president Liz Shuler said of the findings. "The vast majority of America's workers agree on how to move forward on AI and who they trust to do it, and it's not Democrats, Republicans, Big Tech, or their employers — it's the labor movement."
TEXAS LABOR FAMILY NEWS
🏃 ON THE MOVE
Hidalgo ISD employees, represented by RGV AFT, secured progress on health care and pay raises from their school board.
Sister Jedon Shinpaugh, member of IBEW Local 220, received the IBEW Life Saving Award, the highest award the IBEW has to offer.
Brother Trevor Haas, member of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 132, was elected as a delegate to the national AFL-CIO at NALC’s annual convention.
United Association (UA) Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 286 members Chris Fisher, Joshua Pendergrass, Taylor Breedlove, Tray Bradshaw, and Joe Anthony Moreno graduated from Washtenaw Community College’s program.
Machinists Union (IAM) Local 2930 member Micheal Nichol retired after 38 years of service with American Airlines.
💐 IN MEMORY
Brother Taryn Collins, member of IBEW Local 681 (Wichita Falls), passed away on Aug. 4 at the age of 19.
Brother Ryne Cooper, member of IBEW Local 66 (Houston), passed away due to a work-related accident on Aug. 11.
Brother Carl Anthony James, member of Sheet Metal Workers (SMART) Local 54 (Houston), passed away on Aug. 9 at the age of 68.
Our hearts go out to their union families and all who loved them.
📜 THIS WEEK IN TEXAS LABOR HISTORY…
Exactly 80 years ago, on Aug. 13, 1945 University of Texas at Austin professor Henry Nash Smith spoke out for academic freedom.
SOLIDARITY CORNER: EVENTS & ACTIONS
🚨 TAKE ACTION
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.
ADD YOUR NAME:
- Statewide: Open letter from Texas educators to our elected officials, supporting Texas AFT
- Fort Worth: Fair contract for the Fort Worth NewsGuild
- Harris County: Give Harris Center employees a raise & stop union busting, supporting United Workers of Harris Center (UWHC - CWA Local 6154)
📆 EVENTS THIS WEEK
Friday, Aug. 14 in Houston: 💸 Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation's Working Families Awards Celebration
Join labor leaders, union members, community allies, and elected officials for an evening of recognition, solidarity, and inspiration as we celebrate the power of collective action and the people who make our movement strong. Details and tickets.
Saturday, Aug. 15 in Beaumont: 💸 Sabine Area CLC Pistol & Purse Bingo Fundraiser
Join the Sabine Area Central Labor Council for their annual scholarship fundraiser. Details and tickets.
Tuesday, Aug. 18 in Austin & Dallas: ✊ CODE-CWA "Save Our Devs" Rallies
Video game workers organized by Communications Workers of America (CWA) will host coordinated “Save Our Devs” rallies across the US and Canada to call out layoffs and corporate greed in the industry, and to demand fair first contracts across Microsoft’s gaming studios. Details.
Wednesday, Aug. 19 online: ☎️ Union Phone Bank for James Talarico & Gina Hinojosa
Join us for a statewide virtual phone bank for our labor-endorsed candidates. We’ll be calling IBEW members across the state! Details.
Wednesday, Aug. 19 online: 👩🏻🏫 AFL-CIO Training: Campaign Integrity
In this workshop we will identify the ways in which bad actors use campaigns to try to discredit the labor movement and discuss how to maintain professionalism in our interactions with fellow staff, volunteers, and members. Details.
JUST ANNOUNCED: 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.
See Labor Day Events and all upcoming Texas labor events here.
📝 APPLICATIONS & PROGRAMS
North Texas: Texas Construction Career Pathways is taking applications for their next DFW Apprenticeship Readiness Program. Deadline is Aug. 31. Details.
Enter the Unions Power America Sweepstakes: Union Plus is giving away more than $150,000 in prizes to union families for their 40th anniversary! Union members can enter before Aug. 19. Details.
💪 TEXAS UNION STAFF JOBS
- Field Communications & Campaign Support Specialist – Communications (Western Region) — AFL-CIO
- Political Director (Houston) — Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation
📸 PHOTO OF THE WEEK
Workers at Mosaic Family Services in Dallas, organized with Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 277, just won their first union contract! Mosaic workers help migrants and survivors every day — they believe in human rights for all! Now, they have workplace protections that better reflect those values. That’s the union difference!
Photo courtesy OPEIU Local 277
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