Lone Star Labor: Building momentum one fight at a time
Unions are organizing across the South, and especially in Texas! Even under “right-to-work” (for less) laws and anti-union officials, unions are more popular than ever. Workers want better pay, safer working conditions, and a voice in the workplace.
Yes, organizing can be hard, but it’s the most important work we can do.
Take a look at the Starbucks workers recently featured in this Texas Observer article. In San Antonio, Starbucks Workers United member Victoria Hernandez started working for the company at 17 years old, making just $10 an hour. A few years later, she was moved to a different location, where management hoped her presence would tamp down organizing. But just three months later, she led her coworkers on a strike.
“I made connections with my other coworkers … and it made me realize this is actually empowering and unifies us,” Hernandez said.
Organizing builds real connections. It brings coworkers together and links workers across industries. At the end of the day, we all have one thing in common: our labor. We work to provide for ourselves and for our families.
Every organizing effort makes a difference and builds momentum. It shows workers what is possible when we come together. Recently, we’ve seen real wins across our state:
- In North Texas, More than 200 workers at a new Siemens facility joined International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 220 (Fort Worth).
- Climate Pros workers in Mesquite joined United Association (UA) Local 100.
- Workers at V2X, Inc. in Fort Worth joined International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers (IAM).
- Journalists and staff at the Fort Worth Report recently voted overwhelmingly to form a union with NewsGuild-CWA.
- Staff at Graphic Packaging International in Waco voted overwhelmingly to form a union with United Steelworkers (USW).
- Delaware Resource Group workers at Randolph Air Force Base voted unanimously to form a union with IAM.
These wins weren’t always easy, but the struggle is worth the benefits. That’s why organizing should be our number one priority.
AS GOES TEXAS LABOR...
Fort Worth: Tri-County workers request union election — Weatherford Democrat ($) featuring International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 220
Statewide: As Contract Negotiations Drag On, Texas Starbucks Workers Have Learned the Power of Organizing — Texas Observer featuring Starbucks Workers United (SBWU) members Victoria Hernandez, Trey Runyan, and Ben Estrello
Statewide: Faculty groups launch national blueprint as higher education institutions in Texas wrestle with new state laws — Spectrum News 1 featuring American Association of University Professors (AAUP) President Todd Wolfson, AAUP Texas A&M-College Station Chapter President Dr. Leonard Bright, and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT)
Statewide: Texas Education Agency can keep investigating teachers over Charlie Kirk posts, judge rules — San Antonio Express-News featuring Texas AFT President Zeph Capo
Abilene: Abilene firefighters seek collective bargaining after failed city talks — FOX West Texas
NEWS TO USE
After Virginia’s referendum, the Texas-ignited redistricting war is looking like a wash — The Texas Tribune
What is May Day Strong, the ‘no work, no school, no shopping’ protests against Trump? — The Guardian
Trump labor secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer resigns amid misconduct investigation — The Guardian
Union Now Is America’s New Strike Fund — The American Prospect
AI & TECH NEWS BITE
"This race that everybody seems to think we're in to advance AI at all costs, with no guardrails or protections for people, is reckless and dangerous," AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler warned about the danger of allowing billionaires to decide how technology affects our lives. Watch her comments here.
Union leaders are critical of the Trump Administration’s AI framework for its lack of worker protections and for limiting state legislation on AI protections. Adding AI provisions to Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) may be the only way to correct these oversights.
TEXAS LABOR FAMILY NEWS
🏃 LABOR ON THE MOVE
NEW ORGANIZING ✊ Workers from Common Defense, a national veteran-led grassroots nonprofit, have joined Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 6215 (Dallas).
NEW ORGANIZING ✊ Workers at the East Commerce Street Starbucks in San Antonio have joined Starbucks Workers United.
Congratulations to James Alvarez of International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) Local 341 (Houston), who is retiring after 36 years of service!
💐 IN MEMORY
Anthony “Tony” Merritt, former Business Agent of IBEW Local 301 (Nash), passed away on Apr. 17 at the age of 66.
Charles Gorman of United Association (UA) Local 211 (Houston), passed away on Apr. 18 at the age of 83.
Our hearts go out to their friends and family.
📜 THIS WEEK IN TEXAS LABOR HISTORY…
On April 16, 1947, a ship carrying ammonium nitrate caught fire and exploded in Texas City. Nearly 600 people died in the blast, including the ship’s crew, dockworkers, firemen, and curious onlookers drawn in by the smoke. Watch to learn more here.
On April 17, 2013, an explosion at a West, Texas fertilizer storage facility killed 15 people and injured nearly 300 when 30 tons of ammonium nitrate caught fire. Watch to learn more here.
Historian and Texas State Employees Union (TSEU) member Dr. Tom Alter notes events like the Texas City disaster brought about changes in chemical manufacturing and shipping, all because workers came together to demand increased worker safety. No worker should have to choose between their job and their life.
SOLIDARITY CORNER: EVENTS & ACTIONS
🚨 TAKE ACTION
SHARE or DONATE to GoFundMe pages for Texas union members:
Gabriella and her daughter were attacked while at a local park and need help for emergency medical costs and support during recovery. Donate here.
Cornelio and his wife were detained by ICE while traveling to Brownsville for work. Donate here.
PLEDGE TO BOYCOTT REI: Boycott REI during their 2026 anniversary sale!
REI Union workers are fighting for a fair contract and are asking customers to boycott REI during their biggest sale of the year. Take action here.
CALL YOUR SENATORS: Tell Your Senators: Don’t Make Voting Harder for Working People!
The SAVE America Act would make it harder for millions of Americans to vote. Call your senators and tell them to stop this voter suppression bill. Take action here.
📆 EVENTS THIS WEEK
Fri. Apr. 24, virtual: 👩🏻🏫 Training: AFL-CIO’s Organizing Labor in the Pulpit
This webinar will focus on all the steps you need to take to recruit congregations for union speakers during the Labor Day weekend period. Details here.
Monday, Apr. 27, Statewide: 🗳️ Last Day to Register to Vote - Primary Runoff
Apr. 27 is the last day to register to vote for the May Primary Runoff Election. Early voting runs from May 18 to May 22. Election Day is May 26. Learn more at govotetexas.org.
Monday, Apr. 27 in Dallas: 👩🏻🏫 Training: Know Your Rights
Join North Texas union members to learn about the rights and protections afforded to you by the U.S. Constitution. Details here.
Tuesday, Apr. 28 in Houston: ✊ Testify at the Harris Center Board Meeting
Harris Center leadership has laid off workers, cut vital community mental health programs, and refused to raise worker pay — while giving themselves significant monetary “Performance Awards.” Stand with United Workers of Harris Center and testify about the need for workers to make a living wage. Sign up here.
Tuesday, Apr. 28, Statewide: 🕯️ Workers Memorial Day
We’re keeping track of Workers Memorial Day events happening statewide. View the list of events here.
Wednesday, Apr. 29, virtual: 👩🏻🏫 Training: AFL-CIO’s Media Training for Political Campaigns
This training will cover photography best practices, social media tips, contacting journalists, and so much more! Details here.
📆 PLAN AHEAD
Friday, May 1, Statewide: ✊ May Day
We’re keeping track of May Day events happening statewide supported by Central Labor Councils and Area Labor Federations:
- Austin: May 1 at 2pm - May Day Rally & Labor Fair
- Dallas: May 1 at 1pm - May Day Rally & Protest
- Edinburg: May 2 at 8am - Marcha del Pueblo with LUPE
- Houston: May 1 at 2pm - May Day Worker-Community Day
- San Antonio: May 1 at 5:30pm - May Day Rally & March
- San Marcos: May 1 at 5pm - May Day Town Hall with TSEU
Tuesday, May 12 in Amarillo: 🎤 Amarillo Labor Town Hall
Join us for our next Labor Town Hall to talk about the future of the labor movement and our state. Details.
See all upcoming Texas labor events here.
📝 APPLICATIONS, PROGRAMS, & TRAININGS
Due May 1: Apply for a 2026 Texas AFL-CIO Career-Building Scholarship! Each year, the Texas AFL-CIO awards $1,500 scholarships to affiliated union members who have returned to school to advance their careers. Learn more and apply here.
📸 PHOTO OF THE WEEK
Weekend two of the 2026 Ruth Ellinger Leadership Academy is in the books! Fellows came to our headquarters for lessons on solidarity they will take back to their local unions. This is how we build a labor movement as big as Texas!
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