Lone Star Labor: The end of the beginning
Union-first candidates won big on Election Day.
- In Austin, Montserrat Garibay, member of Education Austin (AFT 2048) and former Texas AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer, won the primary for HD 49.
- In San Antonio, public school teacher and member of the San Antonio Alliance (AFT 67), Adrian Reyna, won HD 125 by a wide margin.
- In Dallas, NFLPA member Colin Allred came out on top for TX-33.
These aren’t regular election wins. They’re proof of a shift in Texas politics. Workers aren't waiting for change. They're running for it.
When union members hold public office, they champion labor’s values and work hard to shift the balance of power for working people.
One year ago, Texas AFL-CIO delegates voted to start recruiting and training union members to run for office. Since then, we’ve held our first Labor Candidate School, sworn in the first rank-and-file member ever elected to the Texas Senate, and are continuing to organize for a wave of union-first candidates. This November, 12 union-first labor endorsed candidates will be on the ballot — more than ever before.
Union-first labor-endorsed candidates heading to the General Election so far:
- Texas Supreme Court, Place 1: Maggie Ellis, Member of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) 1624 and Texas State Employees Union (TSEU), Communications Workers of America (CWA) 6186
- Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 9: Holly Taylor, Member of AFSCME Texas Retiree Chapter 12
- U.S. House, District 19 (Lubbock): Kyle Rable, Member of TSEU (CWA 6186)
- U.S. House, District 27 (Victoria/Austin): Tanya Lloyd, Member of Texas AFT
- U.S. House, District 33 (Dallas): Colin Allred, Member of National Football League Players Association
- Texas Senate, District 9 (Fort Worth): Taylor Rehmet (incumbent), President of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Texas State Council
- Texas House, District 28 (Richmond): Sandy Ibáñez, Member of Fort Bend AFT (AFT 6198)
- Texas House, District 47 (Austin): Pooja Sethi, Member of TSEU (CWA 6186)
- Texas House, District 49 (Austin): Montserrat Garibay, Former Texas AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer; Member of Education Austin (AFT 2048)
- Texas House, District 70 (Dallas): Mihaela Plesa (incumbent), Member of TSEU (CWA 6186)
- Texas House, District 125 (San Antonio): Adrian Reyna, Member of San Antonio Alliance (AFT 67)
- Texas House, District 146 (Houston): Lauren Ashley Simmons (incumbent), Member of TSEU (CWA 6186) & CWA 1180
Other statewide Texas AFL-CIO endorsements for the General Election include Gina Hinojosa for Governor, Nathan Johnson for Attorney General, and Sarah Eckhardt for Comptroller of Public Accounts, all members of TSEU (CWA 6186). And more endorsements will come in the following weeks!
What comes next?
Let’s finish what we started. Donate, volunteer, and keep telling people in your community about these candidates.
The Texas AFL-CIO will continue to recruit, train, and elect rank-and-file union members across the state. If you’re a union member interested in running for elected office, fill out our Labor Candidate School interest form. We’ll share updates in the coming months so you’ll know when and how to apply for our next Labor Candidate School.
AS GOES TEXAS LABOR…
Austin: "The tone is very somber": Educators anxiously await details on AISD budget cuts — CBS Austin featuring Education Austin member Taylor Carriker-Cavin
Houston: Houston ISD to redirect state teacher bonuses into districtwide pay system — Houston Chronicle featuring American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Local 2415 (Houston) President Jackie Anderson
San Antonio: These San Antonio jobs have the most AI exposure. How does your profession stack up? — San Antonio Express-News
Statewide: Texas Tribune journalists, staff secure AI protections and pay raises under first union contract — Houston Chronicle featuring Texas Tribune Guild Chair Alejandro Serrano
NEWS TO USE
Local US newspaper workers allege Hearst is trying to ‘destroy unions’ — The Guardian
Six facts about union density in the United States — Brookings
WNBA, players' union finalize long-form collective bargaining agreement — ESPN
Truck drivers say ‘racism’ behind Trump administration’s license restrictions on immigrants — The Guardian
AI & TECH NEWS BITE
Pope’s First Encyclical on AI Echoes the Fears and Realities of Working People
In Pope Leo’s encyclical on the threat of unregulated AI, he highlights the greed and dehumanization workers experience when forced to use it, and calls for guardrails to protect workers from technological change.
TEXAS LABOR FAMILY NEWS
🏃 ON THE MOVE
NEW ORGANIZING ✊ Workers at Houston’s Ella & 43rd Starbucks have voted to unionize with Starbucks Workers United.
Texas Tribune Guild members ratified their first contract after two years of negotiations, securing raises, Al protections, and guaranteed benefits.
Solidarity with Austin NewsGuild and Dallas News Guild, whose members at the Austin American-Statesman and the Dallas Morning News filed unfair labor practice charges against Hearst for violating federal labor law and retaliating against workers for union activity.
Congratulations to the 94 first-year apprentices of United Association (UA) Local 211 (Houston).
💐 IN MEMORY
Marsha Hardeman, Corpus Christi AFT leader and 46-year member, passed away on May 24.
Our hearts go out to her friends and family.
📜 THIS WEEK IN TEXAS LABOR HISTORY…
On June 1, 1966, over 400 farm workers under the banner of the new United Farm Workers Organizing Committee launched a strike at Texas’s La Casita Farms, demanding union recognition and a $1.25 minimum hourly wage. Read more.
SOLIDARITY CORNER: EVENTS & ACTIONS
🚨 TAKE ACTION
CALL TO END UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICES: Tell Spring Glass: Stop committing ULP! IUPAT District Council 10, Glaziers Local 1778, is on an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) strike against Spring Glass. Call Spring Glass to demand they respect the rights of workers! Take action here.
ADD YOUR NAME: Tell Hearst: Keep Texas news written by Texans! Hearst Media has bought up dozens of local newspapers across the state and now owns the four largest newspapers in Texas. We need to make sure that our local news and journalists’ jobs are protected! Take action here.
CALL YOUR MEMBER OF CONGRESS: Tell Congress: No Blank Checks for ICE! It’s time for Congress to do their job and refuse to use taxpayer dollars to fund agencies that are accountable to no one. Workers want affordability and stability, not fear and chaos! Take action here.
📆 EVENTS THIS WEEK
See all upcoming Texas labor events here.
📆 PLAN AHEAD
SAVE THE DATE! Thursday, Oct. 1 in Leander: 23rd Annual Texas AFL-CIO • Walter Umphrey Golf Tournament
Support the Texas AFL-CIO Membership Education Fund and the Texas AFL-CIO Scholarship Fund at this Four-Person scramble at the Crystal Falls Golf Course. Details & registration here.
📆 APPLICATIONS & PROGRAMS
American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) is hiring for a Field Legislative & Political Action Organizer based in Texas. This role is responsible for developing and implementing national and grassroots lobbying strategies/campaigns, issue mobilization campaigns, federal election strategies, and membership recruitment. Apply here.
Enter the Union Plus Unions Power America Hometown Heroes Contest: Grand Prize of $40,000 and a trip to New York
In honor of their 40th anniversary, Union Plus is giving away more than $150,000 in prizes to union members. Enter by June 17. For details and sweepstakes entry, visit unionplus.org/laborday.
📸 PHOTO OF THE WEEK
San Antonio Alliance members came together for an End-of-Year Social / Spurs Watch Party!
Photo via UNITE HERE Local 23
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