Lone Star Labor: Our Final TX Lege Takeaways
This week, the Texas Legislative session came to a close.
Over the last five months, workers showed up to testify, rally, and hold our lawmakers accountable. But while we did win a few protections this session, Greg Abbott chose to side with the billionaires and the big corporations. Texas labor isn’t going anywhere, and we’ll keep fighting for all Texas workers.
7 Wins for workers this session include:
1. Protecting utility workers: Senate Bill 482 (SB 482)
Utility workers in Houston faced threats and physical assaults last year after Hurricane Beryl caused prolonged power outages. The advocacy of the leadership and membership of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 66 in Houston played a key role in the passage of the bill.
2. Expanding ERS retirement eligibility: SB 1737
SB 2137 would broaden eligibility for certain employees of Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) to access service credit under Employee Retirement Services (ERS), and additionally would allow them to retire after 20 years. TJJD officers have the highest turnover in the state, at nearly 70%. This increased benefit is one step towards lowering that turnover and supporting state workers.
3. Increasing railroad safety: SB 2129
SB 2129 increases the penalty for failing to obey a signal indicating the approach of a train, aiming to enhance railroad safety for railroad employees, specifically railroad flagger employees.
4. Educator pay raises: House Bill 2 (HB 2)
HB 2 still does not bring schools back to 2019 funding levels, but it does make meaningful and long overdue investments in educator pay. It is the Texas American Federation of Teachers (Texas AFT’s) sincere hope that the investments made in the classroom deliver on the Republican majority’s promise of staving off the major cuts and layoffs and offsetting the most severe deficit budgets.
5. Legislative leave for correctional officers: HB 1828
This bill establishes a legislative leave pool for Texas Department of Criminal Justice employees, allowing correctional officers to participate in the legislative process without risking their time off. These men and women work in incredibly difficult environments and deserve a seat at the table when decisions are being made.
6. Supporting EMS education: HB 1105
This EMS priority bill will make paramedics eligible for tuition and laboratory fee exemptions when enrolled in emergency medical services courses at public schools. Firefighters already have this same benefit!
7. Significant investment in Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship Programs: SB 1 (budget)
Texas needs to grow existing high-quality apprenticeship programs to train skilled workers. This year, the Legislature increased its state support of Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship Programs by $10 million, helping us train the next generation of Texans.
3 Major attacks on workers passed this session include:
1. Private school voucher scam: SB 2
Don’t mess with Texas schools! Texas AFT members fought valiantly against Greg Abbott’s private school voucher scam, but with a last-ditch phone call from Donald Trump, most Republican lawmakers fell in line to vote for this dangerous bill. Abbott signed the bill during the session, surrounded by his billionaire backers.
2. ICE cooperation in our communities: SB 8
This bill forces sheriffs in counties with more than 100,000 residents to cooperate with ICE. Texans know that immigrant workers are a critical part of our communities, economy, and labor movement. Our partners at Workers Defense Action Fund fought against this bill throughout the entire session.
3. So-called “Parents Bill of Rights”: SB 12
This bill bans Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts in public schools from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. The bill prohibits discussions of race, gender, and sexual orientation, and restricts the privacy of transgender and nonbinary students. It also makes it illegal for school districts to consider DEI factors in hiring and employment decisions. Texas AFT fought hard against this bill.
As you know, our work doesn’t end just because the legislative session is over. Stay tuned for more ways we can hold our lawmakers accountable!
AS GOES TEXAS LABOR…
San Antonio: Union-backed trustees, now a majority, flex muscle on Northside ISD board — San Antonio Express-News featuring Northside American Federation of Teachers (AFT).
Statewide: Will Texas Workers Ever Get a Break from the Summer Heat? — The Texas Observer featuring Ana Gonzalez, Texas AFL-CIO organizing and advocacy director.
Statewide: Texas Legislature passes bill protecting utility workers from assaults, harassment during disasters — KXAN featuring International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 66 Business Manager / Financial Secretary Ed Allen, Texas AFL-CIO President Rick Levy, and Texas AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Leonard Aguilar
NEWS TO USE
Judge grants preliminary injunction to protect collective bargaining agreement for TSA workers — The Associated Press
Government job cuts have disproportionate effect on Black federal workers — WAMU
Oil Industry Opposes a Planned Rule to Limit Heat Deaths among Workers — Scientific American
Trump cuts threaten safety training for America’s most dangerous jobs — Reuters
TEXAS LABOR FAMILY NEWS
🏃 Labor on the Move
Congratulations to the dancers of Texas Ballet Theater in DFW, who secured their FIRST collective bargaining agreement on May 29! This comes after a hard-won victory to join the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) in 2023. ✊🏼
Congratulations to the artists and staff of The Dallas Opera, also with AGMA, who just secured a new 5-year collective bargaining agreement! ✊🏼
Congratulations to the third Houston cohort of the Texas Construction Career Pathways (TCCP) program, who have completed the nationally recognized Multi-Craft Core Curriculum (MC3) and are ready to pursue union apprenticeships and careers in construction and clean energy.
Congratulations to Samuel Pierce and Bryce Valore of IBEW Local 66, each topping out to the classification of Journeyman Lineman!
Congratulations to International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 5538, chartered May 1 this year out of Jersey Village!
Best of luck to Plumbers & Pipefitters (UA) Local Union 286 apprentice Luke Jones, who is competing at the District Three Apprenticeship Contest in Louisiana!
💐 In Memory
UA Local 286 mourns the passing of Jim Caroselli, 84. Donations in Jim's memory can be made to the Animal Defense League of San Antonio or any pet adoption service of your choice. Our hearts go out to his friends and family.
📜 This Week in Labor History…
On June 7, 1979, the Retail Clerks International Union and the Amalgamated Meatcutters and Butcher Workmen of North America merged to form the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), which now represents 1.2 million workers. Learn more.
SOLIDARITY CORNER: EVENTS & ACTIONS
🚨 Take Action
SUPPORT RAIL WORKERS: Send a letter to your U.S. Representative urging them to enforce labor and transportation laws! Right now, freight rail companies are beginning to outsource American railway jobs, hurting union members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET). Send a letter 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
Saturday, June 7: Election Day for June Runoffs
If you didn’t vote early, this is your final chance! Polling locations will be open from 7am to 7pm across the state. Find your polling place and preview your ballot HERE.
Wednesday, June 11 in Temple: AFGE Rally to Fight for Federal Workers
Join AFGE Local 1822 and the Texas AFL-CIO as we rally to fight for and protect federal workers! RSVP here.
💪 Trainings & Conferences
Saturday, June 7 in Houston: Workers Defense Project Family Emergency Preparedness Workshop
Families can join Workers Defense Project to receive help with completing and gathering essential documents, understanding their rights, and creating a plan in case the worst happens.
⭐️ Texas AFL-CIO 2025 Constitutional Convention: A Labor Movement as Big as Texas!
June 26-28 at the Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk. The deadline to book your hotel room with our block rates is Tuesday, June 10.
- Register HERE!
- Sponsorship opportunities are available! 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
📸 Photo of the Week
Volunteers from San Antonio AFL-CIO affiliated unions came together to block walk and door-knock for pro-labor candidate Gina Ortiz Jones for Mayor. Thank you all for getting out the vote!
Photo courtesy San Antonio AFL-CIO.
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