Lone Star Labor: It’s workers vs. billionaires
From the gas pump to the grocery store, it feels like we’re all working twice as hard just to keep our households running, yet corrupt politicians keep looking out for corporate interests at our expense.
Over the past decade as governor, Greg Abbott has forced working families to shoulder the burden of his loyalty to the billionaire donors that have kept him in power.
Since taking office, Abbott has:
1️⃣ Gambled with Texans’ lives instead of fixing the grid
Texas remains the only state in the continental U.S. isolated from the national grid, evading federal safety codes and capacity regulations. Abbott has taken over $150 million from energy executives—more than any governor in American history—leaving Texans to face catastrophic grid failures in both freezing storms and blazing heat.
2️⃣ Defunded public schools for private vouchers
Even with a record $33 billion budget surplus, Abbott continuously refused to grant teachers basic cost-of-living raises. Instead, he prioritized funneling $1 billion taxpayer dollars into private school vouchers, backed by a $6 million donation from Jeff Yass—the largest single political contribution in Texas history.
3️⃣ Refused to expand Medicaid
Texas remains the most uninsured state in the nation. Abbott continues to block federal healthcare funding, forcing working families to take on crushing financial debt for basic medical emergencies and hospital visits.
We can’t take more of the same failed leadership. We literally can’t afford it! The Texas labor movement is mobilizing tens of thousands of volunteers this election for our fierce pro-worker champions. Will you stand with us?
AS GOES TEXAS LABOR…
Austin: University workers from across Texas rally over academic freedom, curriculum changes — KVUE, featuring Texas State Employees Union (TSEU - CWA 6186) member Dr. Tom Alter
Dallas: EPA union sues Trump administration to restore collective bargaining contract — The Guardian, featuring American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Council 238 Justin Chen
Gainesville: Gainesville Safran Seats employees go on strike — KTEN, featuring Teamsters Local 767 member Vicky Manual
Monahans: West Texas tradesmen rally for better pay at ‘Wage Wobble’ movement in Monahans — First Alert 7, featuring United Association (UA) Pipeliners Union 798 Business Manager Justin Wallace
NEWS TO USE
Supreme Court lets Trump resume deporting migrants to countries not their own — Reuters
Gavin Newsom signs laws to protect California workers from AI threat — The Guardian
Amazon Is deploying AI to spy on its workers and bust unions before they form —Truthout
🤖 AI & TECH NEWS BITE
Keep invasive AI tracking out of our workplaces and wallets.
Big Tech executives have a new AI tool to exploit workers: surveillance pricing and electronic shelf labels (ESLs) in grocery stores. By using digital price tags and AI algorithms to raise prices at a moment’s notice based on shoppers’ personal data, the weather, or other factors, corporations are stretching our budgets like never before.
While corporate executives market them as ways to increase productivity, a new report by the AFL-CIO Tech Institute revealed that ESLs would actually hurt all working families, leading to up to $6.9 billion in lost wages and hours and 191,000 fewer jobs. Seattle became the first U.S. city to ban surveillance pricing this week, and unions nationwide are urging their elected officials to follow suit, protecting both shoppers and workers.
TEXAS LABOR FAMILY NEWS
🏃 ON THE MOVE
Union sisters gathered for the Houston Gulf Coast Building and Construction Trades Council’s Women’s Volunteer Weekend at Galveston Island State Park to build a new dock.
Coalition of Black Trade Unionists San Antonio Chapter President Mary Finger was honored as “Labor Woman of the Year” by North East Bexar County Democrats.
💐 IN MEMORY
Brother Walter Dolehite, a 57-year member of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 20 (Grand Prairie), passed away on Sept. 23.
Our hearts go out to their union families and all who loved them.
SOLIDARITY CORNER: EVENTS & ACTIONS
🚨 TAKE ACTION
URGENT ACTION: 🗳️ Verify you’re ready to vote by Oct. 5
The deadline to register to vote is next Monday. Make sure you weren’t one of the 1.2 million Texans placed on the “suspended” list, and check your voter registration.
SIGN UP:👟 Block walk and make calls for our pro-labor candidates
If each one of us signed up for one volunteer shift, we would have what we need to win this election. We have plenty of different ways to get involved with our member to member program. Sign up now.
MAKE A CALL: ☎️ Protect workers from extreme heat
Dozens of Texas workers have died and thousands more face severe health issues because they were denied basic protections like shade, water, and rest breaks. Call Congress to protect workers from the heat.
📆 EVENTS THIS WEEK
Thursday, Oct. 1 online: ☎️ RGV Union Phone Bank
Join the Texas AFL-CIO and Rio Grande Valley Central Labor Council for an RGV-focused virtual phone bank for our labor-endorsed candidates. Details.
Saturday, Oct. 3 in Houston: 📣 Workers vs. Billionaires: Rally & Block Walk
Join IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers), Texas AFL-CIO, Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation, and local labor unions to rally and knock doors for our pro-worker candidates! Breakfast will be served. Details.
Saturday, Oct. 3 in Austin: 👟 Union Block Walk
Join the Texas AFL-CIO and Austin Central Labor Council to knock doors for our pro-worker candidates. Details.
Saturday, Oct. 3 in Harlingen: 👟 Union Block Walk
Join the Texas AFL-CIO and Rio Grande Valley Central Labor Council to knock doors for our pro-worker candidates. Details.
Saturday, Oct. 3 in Missouri City: 🍁 APRI Annual Fall Fest
Join the A. Philip Randolph Institute Houston-Tidelands Chapter for their annual fall festival. Details.
Sunday, Oct. 4 in Fort Worth: 🏈 Boots, Jeans & Jerseys Rally & Watch Party
Join IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers), Texas AFL-CIO, North Texas Area Labor Federation, and local labor unions to rally and watch the Dallas Cowboys vs. Houston Texans on Sunday. Details.
Monday, Oct. 5 online: ☎️ Union Phone Bank
Join the Texas AFL-CIO and San Antonio AFL-CIO for a San Antonio-focused virtual phone bank for our labor-endorsed candidates. Details.
Wednesday, Oct. 7 online: ☎️ Union Phone Bank
Join the Texas AFL-CIO for a statewide virtual phone bank for our labor-endorsed candidates. Details.
See all upcoming Texas labor events here.
📸 PHOTO OF THE WEEK
Teamsters Local 767 members are walking the picket line at Safran in Gainesville, TX on their Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) strike.
Photo courtesy of Teamsters Local 767
Did you enjoy this newsletter? Sign up here to get it in your inbox!