Lone Star Labor: Lead the way for change

Interested in leading the future of the Texas labor movement? Take the first step here.

On Sunday, the latest class of the Ruth Ellinger Leadership Academy officially graduated! These dedicated union leaders completed a year-long program developing their organizing, political, legislative, and leadership skills.

We know our graduates are fully equipped to take on the fight for working families and build a stronger, more inclusive labor movement in Texas.

They’re ready to take action—are you? 

Our graduates are doing the work, but they need pro-worker leaders in office to help build a better Texas for all of us. The single most important action you can take right now to secure the future of Texas workers is to vote early. Polls are open this weekend!

But don’t stop at your own ballot. We need every union member to reach out to their neighbors, family, friends, and co-workers. Talk to them about what’s at stake and encourage them to vote for pro-worker candidates. 

With only 12 days left until Election Day, every action counts. Billionaires, like Elon Musk, are trying to buy this election, but we know the power of organized labor. If we run up the score now, the Trump administration won’t be able to steal our votes. Save the Election Protection Hotline number in your phone, just in case: 𝟖𝟔𝟔-𝐎𝐔𝐑-𝐕𝐎𝐓𝐄. We must count every vote!

 AS GOES TEXAS LABOR…

Austin: Webb Middle School PTA asks TEA to investigate parent petition process — Austin American-Statesman, featuring Education Austin President Ken Zarifis

Austin: Dollar derby: Groups clash over ballot measure to audit the City of Austin — Dollar Derby, featuring American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 1624 President Brydan Summers

Dallas: Activision Quality Assurance Workers Vote to Authorize Strike — CWA Union, featuring Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 6215 

Houston: WATCH: James Talarico rallies with union members — featuring Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation, Texas AFL-CIO, IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers), and the AFL-CIO

Houston: Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico speaks to ABC13 during campaign blitz across Houston area — ABC 13, featuring IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) General Secretary-Treasurer Dora Cervantes

Houston: A Decade of Solidarity: Houston Rally Keeps Growing — SMART Union, featuring International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers General President Michael Colema and many members of its Transportation Division (SMART-TD).

San Antonio: SAISD turns to strict classroom structure as it fights academic struggles — San Antonio Express-News, featuring San Antonio Alliance President Alejandra Lopez

NEWS TO USE

‘Hunted like animals’: inside Trump’s war on the people who build America — Guardian

Trump appointees asked a federal cybersecurity agency to secretly acquire a voting machine — and Hack It — ProPublica

Sectoral bargaining is key to protecting workers during AI transition — Center for American Progress

🤖 AI & TECH NEWS BITE

AI-generated political ads undermine trust in democracy and increase polarization and misinformation, especially in undecided voters.

Test yourself: Who’s real and who’s AI generated?

AI-generated images and videos are becoming increasingly more difficult to spot as technology improves. Can you tell the difference? Check the answer at the bottom of this article.*

Despite calls for stronger regulation, Texas law only bans AI-generated videos, or “deepfakes,” in political campaigns within 30 days of an election. Outside of that window, however, AI-generated political ads are allowed without any required disclosure labels.

Spending on AI deepfake political ads this election cycle has spiked to $137 million, according to The New York Times.

AI-generated images have some common giveaways. Check for:

• Garbled or gibberish text
• Too-perfect lighting
• Warped anatomy
• Physical errors (objects floating awkwardly, shadows going the wrong way)

And ask yourself:

• Does the video or image play on your emotions?
• Is there another place you can find this information? Is there a cited source?
• Does it make sense? Would a person have said or done this?
• Does it really make a difference in how you’d vote?

We can all do our part in preventing misinformation and helping each other focus on real issues that working people face, not fabricated lies and distractions. 

TEXAS LABOR FAMILY NEWS

🏃 ON THE MOVE

🏆 Texas Ash Grove Cement workers in Midlothian voted 65-25 in favor of unionizing with the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers (IBB) following a robust organizing campaign.

💐 IN MEMORY

Sister Barbara D. Kirk, Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1338 (Dallas) member, former Shop Steward and Vice President of ATU Local 1338’s Black Caucus Chapter, and wife of ATU International Secretary-Treasurer Kenneth Kirk, passed away on Oct. 18 at age 64.

Our hearts go out to their union families and all who loved them.

SOLIDARITY CORNER: EVENTS & ACTIONS

🚨 TAKE ACTION

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.

📆 EVENTS THIS WEEK

Thursday, Oct. 22 in Houston: ☎️ Gulf Coast Union Phone Bank

Join the Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation for a phone bank for labor-endorsed candidates! Details.

DEADLINE: Friday, Oct. 23 statewide: 📩 Mail-In Ballot Applications Due

Friday is your last day to the last day your application for a ballot by mail can be received by your Early Voting Clerk. Applications to vote by mail must be submitted in person or by mail, common or contract carrier, email or fax. Details.

Friday, Oct. 23 in Austin: ✊ “The Long Game Film” Screening & GOTV Rally

Join Texas AFT for a free screening and panel discussion of “The Long Game” documentary with free food and drinks. Details.

Saturday, Oct. 24 👟 Union Block Walks:

• 8:30am in Houston
• 10am in Corpus Christi
• 10am in San Antonio
• 10am in McAllen
• 10am in Collin County
• 10am in Williamson County
• 1pm in Austin

Sunday, Oct. 25 in San Antonio: 🗳️ LCLAA Party at the Polls

Join the San Antonio Labor Council for Latin American Advancement Chapter for a celebration of civic power, paletas, and community spirit! Details.

Sunday, Oct. 25 online: ☎️ National Union Phone Bank (statewide)

Union members are coming together to call union voters in battleground states across the country to make sure they turn out for pro-worker candidates. Details.

Sunday, Oct. 25 online: ☎️ National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Texas Union Phone Bank (statewide)

Union members are coming together to call union voters. Join NALC for this national phone bank focused on Texas! Details.

Monday, Oct. 26 in McAllen: ✊ “The Long Game”: Film Screening & GOTV Rally

Join RGV AFT for a free screening of The Long Game and a GOTV rally, featuring special guest AFT National President Randi Weingarten. Details.

Monday, Oct. 26 online: 📱 Union Text Bank (statewide)

Join the Texas AFL-CIO for a statewide virtual text bank for our labor-endorsed candidates. Details.

Wednesday, Oct. 28 online: ☎️ Union Phone Bank (statewide)

Join the Texas AFL-CIO for a virtual phone bank for our labor-endorsed candidates. Details.

Wednesday, Oct. 28 online:  ☎️ Pride At Work Texas Phone Bank (statewide)

Pride at Work union members and allies are coming together to turn concern into action, build community, and make sure working people have their voices heard this election. Details.

Thursday, Oct. 29 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.

Thursday, Oct. 29 in Houston: ☎️ Gulf Coast Union Phone Bank

Join the Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation for a phone bank for labor-endorsed candidates! Details.

LAST CHANCE TO EARLY VOTE: Friday, Oct. 30 statewide: 🗳️ Early Voting Ends

This is your last day to vote until Election Day, Nov. 3. Details.

See all upcoming Texas labor events here.

📝APPLICATIONS & PROGRAMS

Early Bird pricing ends Oct. 31: ✊ AFL-CIO Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Civil and Human Rights Conference in Washington, DC 

The AFL-CIO is hosting its annual conference in the nation’s capital this January, continuing Dr. King’s legacy of civil rights and labor solidarity. Details.

Regular pricing ends Nov. 5: ✊ Texas AFL-CIO Women’s Summit in San Marcos, TX

Registration is open for the 2026 Texas AFL-CIO Women’s Summit from Nov. 20-22 in San Marcos, TX. Can we count on you or your members to join us?

💪 TEXAS UNION STAFF JOBS

Construction Instructional Coordinator (Austin) — Texas Climate Jobs Project

Organizer / Representative (Gatesville) — AFSCME Texas Corrections Employees Council 907

📸 PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Members from local unions and pro-worker candidates Montserrat Garibay for HD 49, Johnny Garcia for CD 35, and Kristian Carranza for HD 118 gathered at San Antonio Alliance for a block walk this past Saturday. Together, we have connected with hundreds of union members at their doors. Thank you to everyone who has volunteered their time to help working Texans win this election!

*Person B was AI-generated. Person A is Starbucks CEO Brian Niccols.

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