Lone Star Labor: A Not-So-Special Session
As many of you know, Gov. Greg Abbott has called a special session of the Texas Legislature, and it starts on Monday, July 21.
What’s a special session? In Texas, our legislators only meet for 140 days every two years. In between those regular sessions, the Governor is able to call a “special” 30-day session to address topics that he chooses.
But instead of focusing on emergency preparedness or helping Central Texans recover from the July 4 flooding, Abbott and his followers are playing politics. They want state lawmakers to take on redrawing Congressional districts — known as “redistricting” — to help certain lawmakers win elections over others.
Abbott is burying flood relief under this redistricting scheme to help Trump steal congressional seats and maintain GOP control of the House.
As Hill Country families still search for missing loved ones and rebuild their lives, Abbott has prioritized a political power grab over the flood infrastructure and warning systems that could have saved lives.
Texas workers are saying: Drop the politics! Put Texans first! We’re ready to fight back against any attack on Texans, and we’re ready to hold lawmakers accountable for their actions. But we’re going to need your help.
Stay tuned — we’ll keep you posted on ways to take action in the coming days.
CENTRAL TEXAS FLOOD RESOURCES & HOW TO HELP
We’ve compiled a list of resources and how to help here. Thank you to all of our emergency responders for their work during this crisis.
AS GOES TEXAS LABOR…
Brownsville: Gámez secures 100 percent rating on Texas AFL-CIO’s ‘Pro-Worker’ scorecard — Rio Grande Guardian featuring Texas AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Leonard Aguilar
Statewide: Rep. Monica De La Cruz proposes beefing up temporary worker program to ease farm labor shortages — The Texas Tribune
Beaumont: Beaumont baristas and union supporters host “Sip-in” — Beaumont Enterprise
Amarillo: Texas Teamsters Took Down Tyson's — Current Affairs
NEWS TO USE
Third postal union ratifies new labor contract — Government Executive
Department of Education employee facing layoff reacts to Supreme Court decision — featuring President of AFGE Local 252 Sheria Smith ( 📺)
Union demands EPA reinstate workers, charging illegal retaliation — The Hill
AI Could Spur the Return of Trade Unions, Expert Says — KTRH-AM ( 📻)
TEXAS LABOR FAMILY NEWS
🏃 LABOR ON THE MOVE
Our best wishes to Brian Golden, a member of TWU Local 591 (DFW), who has stepped away from his role as President of the Tarrant County Central Labor Council after 10 years of service due to pressing family health matters. Brian will remain involved as a delegate through Jan. 26. Thank you for your many years of service and solidarity!
Congratulations to the new President of the Tarrant County Central Labor Council, Tevita ‘Uhatafe, member of TWU Local 567!
Congratulations to the newly elected President of IBEW Local 72 (Waco), David Rodriguez!
Thank you to IBEW Local 72 (Waco) member Tommy Davis for 70 (yes, seventy!) years of membership!
IAFF Local 2922 (Big Spring) Captain Benji Davila retired this month. He first became a union member in 1998. Thank you for your years of service, brother!
Congratulations to IBEW Local 66 (Gulf Coast) brother David Barrera, who topped out to journeyman lineman.
Congratulations to UA Local 68 (Gulf Coast) and the 98 apprentices sworn in on July 10. Welcome to the labor union family!
💐 IN MEMORY
Retired LIUNA General President Arthur A. Coia passed away at the age of 82. He was a pioneer in the U.S. labor movement. Learn more from Rhode Island PBS.
IAFF Local 51 in El Paso mourns the passing of former Training Chief Jerry Floyd McLain, who passed away at the age of 75.
Our hearts go out to their friends and family.
📜 THIS WEEK IN LABOR HISTORY…
On July 19, 1848, the Seneca Falls Convention was held in the Wesleyan Chapel of Seneca Falls, NY. This was the first women’s rights convention and was a galvanizing moment for the women’s suffrage movement. Resolutions included demands for equal access to jobs and the right for women to own property, including wages earned. Learn more.
SOLIDARITY CORNER: EVENTS & ACTIONS
🚨 TAKE ACTION
Call your member of Congress and tell them to sign the discharge petition and pass the Protect America’s Workforce Act, H.R. 2550! This bipartisan bill will overturn President Trump’s executive order that ripped the right to collectively bargain away from hundreds of thousands of federal workers. We need every single member of Congress who says they support America’s unions to sign the discharge petition now. Call your Member HERE.
Donate to support our union brother Jamal, a member of International Rescue Committee (IRC) Workers Unite Texas, OPEIU Local 277, who was abruptly detained by ICE more than three months ago. Make a donation to the GoFundMe! to help with legal and bond fees.
Donate to the AFGE Federal Employee Defense Fund to fund legal action and other strategies to defend American public employees.
📆 EVENTS
Planning a Labor Day event? Please send details to maria@texasaflcio.org.
UPDATE: Friday, Sep. 5 through Sunday, Sep. 7 in Dallas: Texas YALL’s 2025 Hot Labor Summer Summit
Join the Texas Young Active Labor Leaders (YALL) for the 2025 Hot Labor Summer Summit. Any union members 40 years old or younger are welcome to join YALL. Details & registration here.
📝 APPLICATIONS & PROGRAMS
The Austin Chapter of National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) 2025-2026 Scholarships: Multiple awards are available. Visit the link for eligibility and to download the application, which is due next Friday, Jul. 25.
Northside AFT (San Antonio) is hiring for a fierce, passionate union organizer! Details here.
📸 PHOTO OF THE WEEK
This week, the Texas AFL-CIO graduated 31 labor leaders from the Ruth Ellinger Leadership Academy, a one-year program that focuses on building organizing, political, legislative, and leadership skills while building solidarity across unions in Texas!
Interested in learning more about future Ruth Ellinger Leadership Academy classes? Sign up here.
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