Lone Star Labor: Our pro-worker principles

Following a record number of worker wins this election, the momentum heading into the upcoming 90th Legislative Session is undeniable.

More than 1,260 bills were filed on Day 1 alone. From expanding Medicaid to raising the minimum wage, these bills show that we made our voices heard loud and clear this election and our pro-worker leaders are wasting zero time getting to work on the change we need. Now, we need to make sure they deliver!

Over the past year on our Statewide Listening Tour, we traveled over 4,500 miles across the state to hear directly from over 600 union members. Together, we created our pro-worker principles that we expect Texas lawmakers to uphold. Every bill we support—and every anti-worker bill we oppose—will be measured against this ten-point commitment to working Texans:

1️⃣ You have the right to organize.

2️⃣ You have the right to a living wage.

3️⃣ You have the right to a quality education.

4️⃣ You have the right to retire with dignity.

5️⃣ You have the right to fairness and safety on the job.

6️⃣ You have the right to high quality training.

7️⃣ You have the right to unemployment benefits and workers’ compensation.

8️⃣ You have the right to a clean energy future.

9️⃣ You have the right to quality healthcare and work-life balance.

1️⃣0️⃣ You have the right to equal protection, regardless of status.

Keep an eye on your inbox for upcoming action alerts, committee hearing schedules, and lobby day announcements as we gear up for January.

When we stand in solidarity, we win. Let’s make sure we secure better wages, healthcare, education, and futures for all working families this session!

AS GOES TEXAS LABOR…

Statewide: Democratic allies spent years building power in Texas. Now they want a say — Houston Chronicle, featuring Texas AFT President Zeph Capo and Communications Workers of America (CWA) District 6 Vice President Derrick Osobase

Statewide: As power shifts in Texas, the state’s economic strength is based on more than politics — The Texas Tribune, featuring Texas AFL-CIO President Leonard Aguilar

Statewide: Democrats' blue wave carries several union members to Congress — HuffPost, featuring AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler

Statewide: Hinojosa taps anti-school voucher Republican, education and labor allies for Texas transition team — Houston Public Media, featuring Texas State Building and Construction Trades Council Executive Director and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 520 member Ryan Pollock

Houston: Con rosas azules, líderes sindicales rindieron homenaje a Lorenzo Salgado Araujo — Univision, featuring Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation members and staff

NEWS TO USE

A labor look at the November 2026 election results — Northwest Labor Press

US workers are fighting to protect their jobs from AI – and winning — Guardian

The new House will have genuine working-class people. Will it matter? — The New Republic

🤖 AI & TECH NEWS BITE

Legislators must work with labor unions to secure worker protections as artificial intelligence develops.

Texas legislators have already filed several bills on AI regulation, including in public schools, political advertising, and grocery stores.

Some of the bills include:

Rep. John Bucy III (Austin) filed legislation that would ban public agencies from using Flock cameras and other AI automated license plate readers.
Rep. Mary González’s (San Elizario) bill would require businesses to disclose when they use surge pricing, or AI technology that raises prices for consumers depending on the time of day, demand, or competitor’s prices.
After an election season with record spending on AI-generated “slopaganda,” Rep. Salman Bhojani (Euless) introduced a bill banning AI deepfakes in political ads.

We’re fighting for workers to stay in the drivers’ seat when deciding to implement artificial intelligence. Developing new technology should never come at the expense of exploiting working families—we must fight to protect our jobs, our autonomy, and our dignity. #WorkersDoItBetter

TEXAS LABOR FAMILY NEWS

🏃 ON THE MOVE

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 301 recently graduated the Texarkana Electrical Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committee (JATC) Class of 2026 with graduates Noah Corbit and William Matthews earning the distinction of Top Apprentices.

💐 IN MEMORY

Brother Jerome M. Kraus, a 65-year member of United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 142 (San Antonio), passed away on Nov. 3 at age 84.

Brother Abel S. Ledezma, a 52-year member of United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 142 (San Antonio), passed away on Nov. 8 at age 78.

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

SOLIDARITY CORNER: EVENTS & ACTIONS

🚨 TAKE ACTION

SIGN UP: ✊ 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?

SIGN THE PETITION: 📝 Make the “Human Made, Human Paid” pledge

The American Federation of Musicians is fighting to make sure musicians are fairly compensated, credited, and consulted as AI technology develops. Sign the petition.

SIGN THE PETITION: 📝 Tell San Antonio ISD to end the "High 5"

San Antonio Alliance is urging the San Antonio Independent School District Board of Trustees to get rid of the “High 5,” rigid, one-size-fits-all expectations forced on every classroom teacher in SAISD. Sign the petition.

SIGN THE PETITION: 📝 Stand with South Texas ISD workers

Rio Grande Valley AFT is demanding that the South Texas Independent School District Board of Trustees reinstate previously available vacation benefits for auxiliary workers. Sign the petition.

📆 EVENTS THIS WEEK

Sunday, Nov. 15 in Austin: 👟 Pro-Worker Candidate Runoff Block Walk

Join the Texas AFL-CIO and Austin Central Labor Council to knock doors for D5 Austin City Council Candidate Ryan Alter. Details.

Wednesday, Nov. 18 in Austin: ✊ “The Long Game” Film Screening and Live Q&A

Join Education Austin President Ken Zarifis and other pro- public education allies for a free screening and panel discussion of “The Long Game” documentary. Details.

Thursday, Nov. 19 in Austin: 📣 Rally for Academic Freedom

Join UT Austin staff, students, and Texas State Employers Union (TSEU / CWA Local 6186) members at a rally to demand the UT Board of Regents restore staff and faculty governance. Details.

Friday, Nov. 20-22 in San Marcos: ✊ Texas AFL-CIO Women’s Summit

Join Texas AFL-CIO and union women from across the state to hear from dynamic speakers, share ideas, and attend training workshops on public speaking, organizing, equal work, and mentorship. Details.

💪 TEXAS UNION STAFF JOBS

Construction Instructional Coordinator (Austin) — Texas Climate Jobs Project

Digital Media / Legislative Aide (Austin) — Texas State Employees Union (TSEU - CWA 6186)

Labor Representative (El Paso) — National Nurses United (NNU)

📸 PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Texas AFL-CIO President Leonard Aguilar joined hundreds of union letter carriers in San Antonio at the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Committee Of Presidents meeting hosted by NALC Branch 421 this past Sunday. Let’s keep building union solidarity across Texas!

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