Lone Star Labor: Historic Houston Hotel Workers’ Strike Continues

This week, UNITE HERE Local 23 members voted to extend their strike at the Hilton Americas-Houston ‘til Saturday, Sept. 20. The strike, which began on Sept. 1, was initially set to last nine days. But when the hotel came to the bargaining table with an offer far below the minimum $23 hourly wage workers are demanding, the union voted to keep the picket line going.

This is the first strike of Texas hotel workers in modern history. Its outcome could inspire workers across industries to follow suit to demand better pay and working conditions!

The picketing workers of UNITE HERE Local 23 have received overwhelming support from local and state elected officials, fellow unions, and community leaders. When they packed a Houston City Council meeting to speak during public comment, they were met with solidarity from city council members. But the fight is far from over!

Through this strike, UNITE HERE Local 23 members are fighting for the dignity of all Texas workers. That’s why we must stand with them. Here’s how you can help:

Contribute to the hardship fund here.
Join them on the picket line anytime between now and Sept. 20!

AS GOES TEXAS LABOR…

College Station: Texas A&M University Caves to Political Pressure, Violating Faculty Rights to Academic Freedom and Due Process — Texas American Federation of Teachers (Texas AFT) featuring Dr. Brian Evans, president of the Texas Conference of the American Association of University Professors (Texas AAUP-AFT)

Houston: She’s worked for nearly 30 years as a Houston hotel housekeeper. Now she’s striking. | Opinion — Houston Chronicle featuring Unite Here Local 23 members Rosa Leon and Brian Garcia

Rosenberg: Fort Bend Transit Operators ‘Go Union,’ Join The Transport Workers Of America ‘To Address Appalling’ Working Conditions — WNY Labor Today, featuring TWU President John Samuelsen

San Marcos: Texas State University Fires Beloved Professor Without Due Process for Speaking as a Private Citizen — Texas State Employees Union (TSEU)

Statewide: OSHA blasts Union Pacific as ‘serial violator’ in Texas whistleblower case — The Dallas Morning News, featuring Scott Alexander, general chairman at the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET)

Statewide: Lawmakers redrew Texas’ congressional districts. See how yours changed. — The Texas Tribune

NEWS TO USE

Teachers sue over Trump’s immigration crackdown, saying students are staying home — AP

Doctors are joining unions in a bid to improve working conditions and raise wages in a stressful health care system — The Conversation

A year under CEO Niccol: Starbucks workers’ long fight for a union contract — The Guardian

US to target more businesses after Hyundai raid, top official says — Reuters

WNBPA wants better salary system amid ‘labor fight’ — Sports Business Journal

TEXAS LABOR FAMILY NEWS

🏃 LABOR ON THE MOVE

NEW ORGANIZING ✊ Congratulations to the bus and van operators of Fort Bend Transit in Rosenberg, who voted overwhelmingly to join the Transport Workers Union (TWU). They are seeking fair pay, good benefits, and basic human dignity.

NEW ORGANIZING ✊ Congratulations to the 650 registered nurses at St. Joseph’s Health in Bryan, TX who have filed for a union election to join National Nurses United (NNU)!

Congratulations to IBEW Local 66 (Pasadena) brothers Kevin Macias, Kyle Rogers, and Tyler Andersen, who all topped out as journeymen linemen!

Congratulations to sister Melinda Cargill of Teamsters Local 767 (Forest Hill), who earned the September Steward Spotlight! Click to read how Melinda makes her union stronger by navigating the complexities of contract negotiation, grievances, and advocating for her fellow Teamsters.

Congratulations to the retirees of Plumbers Local 68 in Houston who were recently celebrated at the newly unveiled Wall of Fame. We honor your 50 years of service!

💐 IN MEMORY

UA Local 142 in San Antonio mourns the passing of brother Richard Turner, a 42-year member who passed away at the age of 71.

NALC Branch 505 in El Paso mourns the passing of brother Luis Estrada, who passed away at the age of 87.

Our hearts go out to their friends and family.

📜 THIS WEEK IN LABOR HISTORY…

On September 4, 1991 about 500 members of Teamsters Local 601 began a 14-year strike against Diamond Walnut, a giant walnut cooperative in California. Workers had taken 30% pay cuts when the company was struggling. When profits returned, the company was unwilling to pay fair wages again. The strike ended on March 22, 2005. Labor experts believe this is the longest strike in history. Learn more.

SOLIDARITY CORNER: EVENTS & ACTIONS

🚨 TAKE ACTION

Contribute to the hardship fund for striking UNITE HERE Local 23 workers in Houston here. Workers are on strike for fair wages. Learn more and donate HERE.

Donate to support surgery costs for Angi DeFelippo, political director for the Tarrant County Central Labor Council. Learn more and donate HERE.

Call your member of Congress and tell them to sign the discharge petition and pass the Protect America’s Workforce Act, H.R. 2550! Call your Member HERE.

Donate to the AFGE Federal Employee Defense Fund to fund legal action and other strategies to defend American public employees.

📆 EVENTS THIS WEEK

TODAY through Saturday, Sep. 20 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 Houston’s Hilton Americas hotel.

Friday, Sep. 12 in Houston: IBEW Local 66 2025 Annual Membership Golf Tournament
Teeing off for a good cause! Proceeds from the tournament go toward the IBEW Local 66 Scholarship Fund. Details here.

Friday, Sep. 12 virtually: AFL-CIO Training: Meeting the Moment with Nonviolent Action
Understand how democratic backsliding harms workers and learn how the labor movement can lead resistance through nonviolent action. Details here.

Saturday, Sep. 13 in Austin: Citizenship Clinic
Participants must have the documents needed to complete the N-400 application for naturalization that were reviewed at one of the required info sessions. Details here.

Saturday, Sep. 13 in San Antonio: Citizenship Clinic
Participants must have the documents needed to complete the N-400 application for naturalization that were reviewed at one of the required info sessions. Details here.

Wednesday, Sep. 17 virtually: AFL-CIO Training: Tactics for Nonviolent Resistance
Learn about creative, nonviolent tactics that the labor movement can use to fight for freedom, fairness and security for all workers. Details here.

📆 PLAN AHEAD

NEW Monday, Sept. 29 in Austin: Austin Labor Town Hall
Texas AFL-CIO President Rick Levy and Secretary-Treasurer Leonard Aguilar are hitting the road for our Statewide Listening Tour to hear from Texas union members. Our next stop is in Austin! RSVP here.

Wednesday, Oct. 8 in Leander: 22nd 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.

January 24-25, 2026 in Georgetown: Texas AFL-CIO 2026 COPE Convention
Save the date for our 2026 COPE Convention. More details coming soon!

📝 APPLICATIONS & PROGRAMS

Texas Construction Career Pathways MC3 Training - Travis County
This 3-week training program prepares participants for a registered apprenticeship in the building and construction trades. The October training session will run from Tuesday, October 14, through Friday, October 31, 2025. Send referrals to Chris Gomez, workforce development program coordinator, at chris@txclimatejobs.org. Interested participants must apply at texasccp.com by TOMORROW, FRIDAY SEPT. 12.

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.

📸 PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Last weekend, young labor leaders took their organizing skills to the next level and built solidarity across our movement at Texas YALL’s 2025 Hot Labor Summer Summit!

Each person with a raised hand was a first-time Texas YALL Summit attendee!

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