Lone Star Labor: Fund the Government. Put Working People First.
The federal government is shut down right now because Trump and his billionaire buddies chose chaos and pain over responsible governing.
The shutdown has locked out hundreds of thousands of federal employees from doing their jobs while forcing hundreds of thousands more — like TSA officers, VA caregivers, and Border Patrol agents — to work without pay. That reduces access to services and pulls billions out of local economies.
Texas is home to the third-most federal workers in the country (behind California and DC), and the highest number of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) members.
Federal workers across our state have already endured hiring freezes, RIFs, and cuts at offices like the Department of Defense, Department of Education, and every other public service job. That’s why we’re in this fight!
The Texas labor movement stands in strong solidarity with all federal workers, their families, and every Texan who receives federal services, and we will fight ‘til this shutdown is ended by the Trump Administration.
TAKE ACTION FOR FEDERAL WORKERS:
- CALL Congress: Stop the Shutdown and the Cuts to Working Families
- Donate to the AFGE Federal Employee Defense Fund to fund legal action and other strategies to defend American public employees.
AS GOES TEXAS LABOR…
Austin: Coalition launches in East Austin to back Proposition Q tax hike — Austin American-Statesman featuring American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 1624
DFW: North Texas federal workers brace for government shutdown impact on the job, at home — CBS News Texas featuring American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1040
El Paso: El Paso teachers' union calls for better SPED training after student's tragic death — KFOX14 featuring the El Paso American Federation of Teachers (AFT)
Fort Worth: Texas AFL-CIO COPE Endorses Union Member Taylor Rehmet for SD 9 Special Election — Texas AFL-CIO
Houston: Houston’s High-Paying Jobs That Don’t Need Degrees — City Cast Houston featuring the Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation
Houston: NASA furloughs 83% of its federal workforce, more than 15,000 workers, during government shutdown — Houston Chronicle
San Marcos: Texas State to reinstate fired professor after judge issues temporary restraining order — San Antonio Express-News
Statewide: Can Texas use its new congressional map for 2026? A trio of judges will decide. — The Texas Tribune
NEWS TO USE
Thousands march in Greece against labor law changes, disrupt services nationwide — Associated Press
Starbucks to close hundreds of stores, lay off 900 workers as part of turnaround plan — Associated Press
Federal Bureau of Prisons moves to end union protections for its workers — Associated Press
Signal workers’ union rejects tentative contract agreement — TrainsPRO
TEXAS LABOR FAMILY NEWS
🏃 LABOR ON THE MOVE
NEW ORGANIZING Workers at the House of Blues in Houston are unionizing with IATSE Local 51! Welcome to the labor movement, y’all!
Congratulations to the newly elected San Antonio AFL-CIO Executive Board, including:
- President: Alejandra Lopez, Alliance Local 67
- Recording-Corresponding Secretary: Marinella Murillo, AFGE Local 3320
- Financial Secretary-Treasurer: Amalio Soto, ATU Local 694
- 1st Vice President: Charles Fuentes, CWA Local 6143
- 2nd Vice President: Melina Espiritu-Azocar, Northside AFT
- And all other new board members!
Congratulations to Teamsters Local 767 (Forest Hill) and the workers of Trinity Metro who have voted overwhelmingly to ratify a new Teamsters contract. All Metro Area Transit System workers received raises on Oct. 1!
Education Austin President Ken Zarifis is now home after spending the last three months in recovery and rehabilitation, following a tragic automobile accident. Read the latest update here.
Congratulations to IBEW Local 66 (Pasadena) brothers Daniel Lavergne, Jacob Harkness, and Travis Heady, who topped out as journeymen linemen!
💐 IN MEMORY
Houston firefighters, family, and friends gathered Friday to honor and remember firefighter and paramedic Stephen Scott. Our hearts go out to his friends and family.
🎂 UNION BIRTHDAYS
The Texas AFL-CIO wishes a happy early birthday to our union siblings of Corpus Christi AFT Local 3456, chartered in Corpus Christi on Oct. 4, 1976.
📜 THIS WEEK IN LABOR HISTORY…
On Sept. 30, 1962, Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta established the National Farm Workers Association, which later became the United Farm Workers of America. Read more.
SOLIDARITY CORNER: EVENTS & ACTIONS
🚨 TAKE ACTION
Tell Greg Abbott: Hands Off Our Freedom of Speech! Greg Abbott is calling for the firing of educators for opinions shared on their personal social media accounts. Take 2 minutes to tell him you won’t stand for this authoritarianism! Take action here.
Contribute to the strike fund for UNITE HERE Local 23 hotel workers in Houston. Workers are on strike for fair wages. Donate here.
Pledge not to cross the picket line if Starbucks baristas decide to go on strike. Stand with Starbucks Workers United until they win the contract they deserve. Take action here.
📆 EVENTS THIS WEEK
ONGOING in Houston: Join the picket line with UNITE HERE Local 23
Join community members standing in solidarity with UNITE HERE Local 23 members on strike at the Hilton Americas-Houston hotel.
Saturday, Oct. 4 in Houston: VA Not for Sale Rally
Join veterans and allies to support healthcare for veterans. Cuts to the VA lower the quality of care for veterans by causing staffing shortages and longer wait times. Details here.
Saturday, Oct. 4 in Cy-Fair: Union Block Walk for Cy-Fair ISD
Join Cy-Fair AFT to block walk for the Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation endorsed candidates for Cy-Fair ISD Board of Trustees. Details here.
Saturday, Oct. 4 in Beaumont: Texas AFL-CIO Citizenship Clinic
Apply for U.S. Citizenship! Spots are limited. Participants will receive FREE one-on-one assistance to complete the N-400 application! Union families will be prioritized. Details here.
Monday, Oct. 6: Last day to register to vote
The last day to register to vote in the Nov. 4 election is on Monday! Learn more at govotetexas.org.
Wednesday, Oct. 8 virtually: AFL-CIO Anti Discrimination Anti Harassment Policy and Code of Conduct Overview
Review the AFL-CIO Anti-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy, Code of Conduct and best practices for implementation at State Federations and Central/Area Labor Councils. Details here.
Wednesday, Oct. 8 in Leander: 22nd Annual Texas AFL-CIO • Walter Umphrey Golf Tournament
Support the Texas AFL-CIO Membership Education Fund and Scholarship Fund with a day of food, fun, and fellowship at the Crystal Falls Golf Course. Details here.
Thursday, Oct. 9 in Austin: Education Austin Rally at Austin ISD HQ
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is forcing Austin ISD to rush school consolidation plans without real input from the people most affected. Join Education Austin for a rally to tell TEA and Austin ISD to slow down, listen, and do what’s right. Details here.
See all upcoming Texas labor events here.
📝 APPLICATIONS & PROGRAMS
2026 Ruth Ellinger Leadership Academy
This one-year training program is a skill-building and leadership development course managed by the Texas AFL-CIO to help grow and support the next generation of union leaders in Texas. Applications are due by Monday, Nov. 3. Apply here.
Call for TDLR Board Members: Represent Texas Consumers On 14 Advisory Boards
Serve as a public member volunteer on one 14 advisory boards. Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) advisory board members play a critical role in supporting TDLR’s mission by providing technical knowledge, industry expertise, and real-world insight. Details here.
📸 PHOTO OF THE WEEK
UNITE HERE Local 23 members marked ONE MONTH ON STRIKE at the Hilton Americas-Houston hotel this week! They’re making history as the first-ever hotel workers to go on strike in modern Texas history! Photo by Texas AFL-CIO
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