Lone Star Labor: Defend Texas workers
Our government must operate with justice and accountability—not fear and secrecy. That’s why this week, alongside our Texas AFL-CIO Immigration Advisory Committee, we released this statement on ICE’s continued violence across our state:
“No matter where you come from or where you call home, we all work for a living. That’s why our Texas labor movement fights for the dignity of all workers, regardless of nationality or citizenship status.
“The Trump Administration and Greg Abbott have allowed ICE to operate in our state with zero accountability — leading to chaos, fear, and violence. This is not the Texas any of us deserve.
“We demand accountability and justice for Wilber Rafael Garcés Perez, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, Ruben Ray Martinez, and all Texans who have been shot, detained, or killed by ICE, many while working.
“Accountability and justice is how we make our communities safe. Our families, our neighbors, and our communities deserve to live and work in peace.
“ICE out of Texas. ICE out of every community.”
When workers are targeted in our streets, the safety and dignity of every Texan is under attack. Despite campaign promises to tighten government spending, Trump has poured $268.9 billion taxpayer dollars into ICE while gutting key federal programs that help working families. According to a new report released by the AFL-CIO and ACLU, this aggressive approach creates an “economy of fear” that harms everyone by enabling workplace exploitation and devastating our economy.
We don’t need our taxpayer dollars weaponized to raid our neighborhoods and terrorize our communities. Texas needs leaders who will protect working people, demand justice, and end this affordability crisis.
AS GOES TEXAS LABOR…
Austin: Austin ISD could lose elected board as early as January — Community Impact, featuring Education Austin President Ken Zarifis and Vice President Trasell Underwood
Austin: NLRB orders Via 313 pizzeria to bargain in union cert. row — Law 360, featuring Restaurant Workers United
Fort Worth & Houston: Stung by Trump, machinists union campaigns for affordability in midterms — Guardian, featuring International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Local 776 President Jason Gayler
Gainesville: Safran Teamsters on strike — Gainesville Register, featuring Teamsters Local 767 President Dave Reeves
Houston: Nearly 6,000 union tradeswomen to gather in Houston for Tradeswomen Build Nations — PR Newswire
Statewide: Revenge of the labor movement: Democrats with union backgrounds aim to retake Congress — Guardian, featuring many of our pro-worker candidates
Statewide: Texas comptroller fires dozens of employees, casts it as end of 'wasteful spending' — Dallas Morning News, featuring Texas State Employees Union (TSEU - CWA 6186) Vice President Myko Gedutis
Statewide: The new union way to build progressive power — American Prospect, featuring Communications Workers of America (CWA) District 6 Vice President Derrick Osobase
NEWS TO USE
The pro-labor gospel is back on the ballot — Sojourners
Migrants who planted roots in Texas are being swept up in the immigration crackdown. Here are five of their stories — Texas Tribune
🤖 AI & TECH NEWS BITE
Labor unions are negotiating AI implementation to secure workers’ rights and jobs.
As unions across all industries are beginning to see AI in their workplaces, they are leading the fight to protect transparency, jobs, and guardrails for workers.
Members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Local S6 negotiated contracts requiring employers to disclose new technology, like AI, at the “conceptual stage” rather than at implementation. They also required that management provide clear, written definitions of what specific tasks AI systems will perform, cutting through confusing corporate jargon.
TEXAS LABOR FAMILY NEWS
🏃 ON THE MOVE
🏆 A judge ruled in favor of TSEU - CWA Local 6186 member Dr. Tom Altman’s challenge to his firing from Texas State University.
San Antonio Alliance President Alejandra Lopez testified at the United States Senate K-12 Education Spotlight Forum in the U.S. Capitol, demanding elected officials fully fund public schools nationwide.
💐 IN MEMORY
Brother Miles Longbine, a new member of Plumber's Union Local 286 (Austin), passed away on Sept. 12 at the age of 19.
A brother of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 716 (Houston) passed away on Sept. 23.
Our hearts go out to their union families and all who loved them.
SOLIDARITY CORNER: EVENTS & ACTIONS
🚨 TAKE ACTION
SIGN UP:👟 Block walk and make calls for our pro-labor candidates
If each one of us signed up for one volunteer shift, we would have what we need to win this election. We have plenty of different ways to get involved with our member to member program. Sign up now.
MAKE A CALL: ☎️ Protect Workers from Extreme Heat
Dozens of Texas workers have died and thousands more face severe health issues because they were denied basic protections like shade, water, and rest breaks. Call Congress to protect workers from the heat.
SIGN THE PETITION: 📝 Tell USTR to Preserve Our Domestic Tire Industry
Can you add your name to support United Steelworkers (USW)? As foreign imports spiked in the last 25 years, domestic tire output has declined by about 40%, costing thousands of jobs for American families. Tell United States Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer to develop relief measures for the domestic tire industry. Sign the petition.
📆 EVENTS THIS WEEK
Friday, Sept. 25 in Austin: 📣 TSEU Rally at UT Austin
Join Texas State Employees Union members from across the state to rally with UT Austin workers to defend free speech, academic freedom, and our public universities. Details.
Saturday, Sept. 26 in San Antonio: 🦋 Free Citizenship Clinic
The Texas AFL-CIO is partnering with community organizations to host a free citizenship clinic. Details.
Saturday, Sept. 26 in Hutto: 👟 Union Block Walk
Join the Texas AFL-CIO and Austin Central Labor Council to knock doors for our pro-worker candidates with pro-worker candidate Chris Jimenez for HD 52. Details.
Wednesday, Sept. 30 online: ☎️ Virtual CWA Union Phone Bank
Join the Communications Workers of America (CWA) for a virtual phone bank for our labor-endorsed candidates. Details.
Wednesday, Sept. 30 online: 👩🏻🏫 Canvass Safety and Effectiveness Training
The AFL-CIO is hosting a workshop that prepares union volunteers to canvass safely and confidently to better engage union voters. Details.
Thursday, Oct. 1 in Leander: 🏌️ Texas AFL-CIO Annual Golf Tournament
Join the Texas AFL-CIO for food, fun, and fellowship while supporting a strong labor movement in Texas. Details.
Thursday, Oct. 1 online: ☎️ RGV Union Phone Bank
Join the Texas AFL-CIO and Rio Grande Valley Central Labor Council for an RGV-focused virtual phone bank for our labor-endorsed candidates. Details.
See all upcoming Texas labor events here.
📸 PHOTO OF THE WEEK
American Association of University Professors at UT Austin (AAUP - AFT) members began their “Let Longhorns Learn” assembly, a daily, silent walk around the UT Austin Tower to demand academic freedom, economic security, and faculty autonomy.
Photo courtesy of AAUP at UT Austin
Did you enjoy this newsletter? Sign up here to get it in your inbox!