Lone Star Labor: Everything is bigger in Texas
New data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that 673,000 Texans were union members in 2025. That’s the highest number in 25 years, 70,000 more than last year, and our fourth straight year of growth.
Texas now has the fourth-most union members of any state in the U.S., following California, New York, and Illinois.
“The Texas labor movement is steadily growing — all despite Greg Abbott’s anti-worker attacks, broken labor laws, and corporate union busting,” said Texas AFL-CIO President Leonard Aguilar. “We can change our state for the better by investing in and growing our union movement, because as Texas goes, so does the country. Our work to organize Texas workplaces and build worker power is more important than ever before.”
Increased membership means increased political influence. And labor unions are among the few institutions with real approval and credibility. We can turn this growth and momentum into lasting change. Our most immediate opportunity is to support and vote for pro-worker candidates. Early voting for the March primary is underway, and we want to make sure you’re ready to cast your ballot! Here’s what you need to know:
- Review our Texas AFL-CIO COPE 2026 Primary Election Pro-Worker Endorsements.
- Make a plan to vote! Visit govotetexas.org to find your polling place, preview your ballot, and know which ID you’ll need to have when you vote.
- Make sure your friends and family have a plan to vote and send them our endorsements!
- Volunteer for labor-endorsed candidates! Visit mobilize.us/txaflcio to find an event near you.
And if anyone you know would like to unionize their workplace, send them our way!
Read: US union membership soared to 16-year high in 2025 despite Trump assault — The Guardian
AS GOES TEXAS LABOR...
Statewide: Can Labor Candidates Help Texas Dems Win Back Power? — Texas Observer featuring International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Union Texas State Council President Taylor Rehmet, Texas AFL-CIO President Leonard Aguilar, United Steelworkers District 13 Assistant Director Marcos Vélez, Texas State Employees Union (CWA Local 6186) member Kyle Rable, USW District 13 Staff Representative Jose Loya, and Education Austin member Montserrat Garibay.
Austin: 'We want to be treated equally' | Texas journalists rally for better pay, AI safeguards amid contract talks — KVUE featuring ProPublica Guild member Cassandra Jaramillo, and Austin NewsGuild Chair Nicole Villalpando
Fort Worth: American Airlines flight attendants protest, call for CEO Robert Isom’s removal after no-confidence vote — WFAA featuring Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) national president Julie Hedrick
Statewide: Progressive Texas organizers hail shock win as far-right Republicans left reeling — The Guardian featuring IAM Texas State Council President Taylor Rehmet
NEWS TO USE
‘Standing up for our workers’: US unions raise thousands for victims of ICE crackdown — The Guardian
OPM instructs agencies to terminate union contracts potentially in violation of court orders — Government Executive
Sources: WNBPA counterproposal includes some concessions on revenue share, housing — ESPN
Gillibrand introduces legislation to guarantee paid sick leave to American workers — Spectrum News 1
AFL-CIO Remembers Legendary Civil Rights Leader, the Rev. Jesse Jackson — BlackPressUSA
TEXAS LABOR FAMILY NEWS
🏃 LABOR ON THE MOVE
member Stu Becker, Mosaic Workers Union OPEIU 277 (Dallas) member Katie Jenkins, Teamsters Local 988 member Chris Gomez, and TSEU member Andre Wagner!
Congratulations to IAM District 776 Business Representative Zavier Myles and Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 277 Senior Organizer Emily Markwiese, who are representing Texas as members of the first class of the AFL-CIO’s Labor and Immigration Policy Fellowship!
Solidarity with USW Local 13-1, who held an informational picket and rally for a Fair Contract with INEOS.
Congratulations to brothers Adrian Sanchez, Andrey Lushin-Phillips, Elden Rivas, Carson Overby, David Jaimes, and Luke Masterson, who topped out to the classification of journeyman linemen with IBEW Local 66 (Houston).
💐 IN MEMORY
George Douglas Hart, Sr., a member of IBEW Local 220 in Fort Worth, passed away on Jan. 27 at the age of 54.
Our hearts go out to his friends and family.
SOLIDARITY CORNER: EVENTS & ACTIONS
🚨 TAKE ACTION
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.
DELETE THE STARBUCKS APP: Stand with Starbucks Workers United! Union baristas are calling on Starbucks customers to #DeleteTheApp to show Starbucks that you stand with baristas, not billion-dollar companies. Take action here.
DONATE TO SUPPORT UNION BROTHER OLUFEMI OLADEJO: Help with the legal costs to get him released from ICE detention! Olufemi, a member of TSEU with a valid work permit, has been held by ICE since November 2025. Let’s reunite him with his family. Donate here.
📆 EVENTS THIS WEEK
TODAY, Feb. 19 at 2pm in Austin: IAM Union Texas State Council President Taylor Rehmet will be sworn into office
Senator-elect Rehmet will be sworn into office as the first rank-and-file union member to serve in the Texas Senate. A livestream will be available here.
TODAY, Feb. 19 virtually: Virtual Union Phone Bank for North Texas Labor-Endorsed Candidates
Join the Texas AFL-CIO, Communications Workers of America (CWA) District 6, and North Texas Area Labor Federation for a virtual phone bank for our labor-endorsed candidates: Venton Jones for HD 100 and Chris Turner for HD 101! Details here.
Friday, Feb. 20 statewide: Last Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail
Applications for Ballot by Mail must be received, not Postmarked. Click for details.
Saturday, Feb. 21: Block Walks for Labor-Endorsed Candidates
Join us as we knock doors for our pro-worker candidates.
- AUSTIN: Block walk with the Texas AFL-CIO, CWA District 6, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 1624, Austin Central Labor Council, and allies. Details here.
- BEAUMONT: Block walk with the Texas AFL-CIO, United Steelworkers (USW), the Sabine Area Central Labor Council, and allies. Details here.
- DALLAS: Block walk with the Texas AFL-CIO, CWA District 6, the North Texas Area Labor Federation, and allies. Details here.
- HOUSTON: Join the Texas AFL-CIO, Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation, USW, and allies. Details here.
Saturday, Feb. 21 in Cedar Creek: The Bigger Broader Bolder Bash
Join the Texas AFL-CIO for our inaugural Texas AFL-CIO Bigger Broader Bolder Bash to celebrate retired President Rick Levy’s years of commitment to the Texas labor movement! Details here.
Sunday, Feb. 22 statewide: NALC Fight Like Hell National Day of Action
NALC branches are hosting local Fight Like Hell rallies calling for a fair contract. The message: first-class service deserves first-class pay! Find an event near you.
Tuesday, Feb. 24 virtually: Information Session 1 for Houston Citizenship Clinic
Attend ONE of four information sessions to learn more about the requirements to apply for U.S. citizenship and prepare for the Mar. 28 Houston Citizenship Clinic. Details here.
See all upcoming Texas labor events here.
📝 APPLICATIONS, PROGRAMS & TRAININGS
AFL-CIO Upcoming Trainings:
- Thursday, Feb. 19: Know Your Rights: Constitutional Protections and Immigration Enforcement
- Wednesday, Feb. 25: Union Peacekeeper & Observer Training
📸 PHOTO OF THE WEEK
On the first day of early voting, SEIU Texas members were out in Houston, letting people know it’s time to get those ballots in and helping them make a plan to vote!
Photo via SEIU Texas
Did you enjoy this newsletter? Sign up now here to get it in your inbox!