Lone Star Labor: Fund our schools!
Today, the Senate education committee is finally holding a public hearing on House Bill 2, the school funding package passed by the House nearly a month ago. The Senate released its 225-page rewrite of the bill just 30 minutes before its hearing, which is expected to last late into the night.
This school funding package was promised as one half of a “Texas Two-Step,” to be passed in tandem with the school voucher scam that was fast-tracked and signed into law by Governor Abbott on May 3. While the billionaire donors and their enablers who pushed the deeply unpopular voucher scam have celebrated their victory over Texas kids and teachers, districts across the state are laying off staff, closing campuses, and having to decide which student services to fund or cut.
Here’s the thing: even if public ed funding passes, there’s a good chance it will be too little, too late. The Senate version of this bill provides nearly $1 billion dollars less than HB 2. It also drastically cuts HB 2’s basic allotment — the amount of money public schools receive for each student — by $340.
Our kids and teachers are worth more than a weak funding package that doesn’t address the needs of our public schools.
Looking to get involved in the fight for public schools? Join the Texas American Federation of Teachers (AFT) tonight, May 15, at 6 p.m. CT. They will discuss HB 2, the hearing, & next steps in this Legislature.
AS GOES TEXAS LABOR…
Austin: ‘Totally different beast.’ Austin musicians worry about industry amid SXSW changes — KXAN, featuring Aaron Lack, president of the Austin Federation of Musicians (AFM).
Basile, LA: Tufts student & SEIU member Rümeysa Öztürk thanks supporters after release from Louisiana detention facility — Boston Globe (Members of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Texas travelled to Louisiana to rally for Rümeysa’s release on Friday)
Austin: Union workers at Via 313 in Austin's North Campus hold one-day strike — KVUE, featuring Restaurant Workers United
Dallas - Fort Worth: North Texas union truck drivers threaten strike over fair wages and autonomous semi concerns — CBS News, featuring Teamsters Local 745
NEWS TO USE
FedEx board member Steiner is picked to be next USPS postmaster general amid talk of privatization — AP
US senator investigates claims of child labor at Tyson Foods plant — Reuters
The Overwatch developer team has unionized — The Verge
How unions can protect immigrants — Dissent Magazine
TEXAS LABOR FAMILY NEWS
📜 This Week in Labor History…
The Pullman Strike began on May 11, 1894. Led by the American Railway Union (ARU), it severely disrupted national rail traffic, and when federal troops were brought in, ended in tragedy. Learn more.
🏃 Labor on the Move
Congratulations to Communication Workers of America (CWA) District 6, whose new collective bargaining agreement with AT&T was officially ratified with 71.78% on May 6! ✊🏼
Congratulations to Education Austin member Autumn Neal, a teacher assistant at Lamar Middle School, who was named Austin ISD’s 2025 TA of the Year!
Brad Adamcik, member of Fort Worth Professional Firefighters Local 440 was recognized as Fort Worth South Rotary Club’s Vince Genovese Firefighter of the Year! Congratulations, Brad!
The Texas AFL-CIO congratulates Carlos De Anda of El Paso Association of Firefighters Local 51 on his retirement! Carlos is retiring after 35 years of service.
💐 In Memory
Pipe Fitters Local 211 mourns the passing of brothers David Morua, 27, R.C. Gunter Jr., 97, Larry D. Jordan, 81, and Ronald M. Stinger, 81. Our hearts go out to his friends and family.
SOLIDARITY CORNER: EVENTS & ACTIONS
🚨 Take Action
Send a letter to your House Representative urging them to VOTE NO on SB 689 and stand with workers who believe in public service for everyone. Let’s be clear: this bill does nothing to fix the real problems state workers face—low wages, burnout, and staff shortages. Instead, it scapegoats programs designed to make our workplaces more supportive and inclusive for all. Send a letter HERE.
Call your Member of Congress and tell them to co-sponsor the Protect America’s Workforce Act, H.R.2550! All Texas Democrats have co-sponsored the bill. Call your Member HERE.
Donate to support legal representation for a member of International Rescue Committee Workers Unite Texas, OPEIU Local 277 who was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and abruptly ripped away from their home, family, livelihood, and community.
Donate to the AFGE Federal Employee Defense Fund to fund legal action and other strategies to defend American public employees.
📆 Events
Tonight - Thursday, May 15: Texas AFT Organizing Texas: Growing Public School Power Together. Join Texas AFT for their monthly organizing call. Tonight’s focus will be on HB 2, today’s Senate hearing, & our next steps. Details here.
Friday, May 16 in El Paso: Grand Re-Opening of El Paso Fire Department’s Station 25. Join El Paso Fire Fighters Local 51 for the Grand re-opening of EPFD Station 25 and the kickoff of their 2025 Muscular Dystrophy Association Fill the Boot campaign. Details here.
Saturday, May 17 in Katy: USA’s 15th Annual Houston Area Sporting Clays Shoot. Join the Union Sportsmen's Alliance (USA) for a day of shooting clays! It's the perfect opportunity to connect with your union brothers and sisters while showing your support for hunting, fishing, recreational shooting, and conservation. Details here.
Monday, May 19: LaborNotes Online Workshop: Running for Union Office. Join Labor Notes for an online workshop on Running for Union Office. You’ll learn why and why not to run for office, and discuss the tools needed to succeed. Details here.
🇺🇸 Federal Workers: Stay Informed
Trump’s attacks on federal workers are moving at a breakneck speed. If you’re an AFGE member or federal worker, you can stay up to date and get critical questions answered at AFGE’s new one stop shop: afge.org/AFGEStrong
⭐ Texas AFL-CIO 2025 Constitutional Convention: A Labor Movement as Big as Texas!
Registration is open for the Texas AFL-CIO 2025 Constitutional Convention, happening June 26-28 at the Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk.
- Purchase your early registration tickets HERE. Early bird pricing ends on May 23.
- Sponsorship opportunities are available! Details HERE.
This week, AFGE Local 3184 member Liza Bazaldua-Miranda, who works for the Social Security Administration, joined the Hank Brown Retirees’ Council San Antonio Save Our Seniors Round Table with Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20). Photo courtesy AFGE.
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