Lone Star Labor: Out in the West Texas town of El Paso
Nearly 70 union members representing 15 unions joined us in El Paso for our Labor Town Hall! Folks are ready to organize, stand up against billionaires, and hold our elected officials accountable.
Themes from the Town Hall included protecting pensions, fighting attacks on workers from the Texas Legislature, solidarity amongst our unions, and how we can create better messaging for working people.
Remember: We are part of a movement that has existed for centuries. We have more potential than any other movement to make a difference!
Thank you to IAFF Local 51 for hosting us, and thank you to members from AFGE, AFT, APWU, CWA, Doctor’sCouncil, Firefighters, IBEW, Ironworkers, IUOE, NATCA, NNOC, SEIU, TARA, TSEU, TSTA, and UA for attending. We’re heading across the state to talk to union members in every region — stay tuned!
AS GOES TEXAS LABOR…
Austin: Trump's first 100 days left some Texas federal workers jobless — Spectrum News, featuring Texas AFL-CIO President Rick Levy
Baytown: Exxon, USW Settle Texas Court Case About Grievance Spat — Law360 ($)
Dallas: North Texas union leader arrested after anti-Trump rally — WFAA TV
San Antonio: Laborers Local 1095 and Acme Brick: Building Futures Together — LIUNA Southwest Laborers’ District Council
NEWS TO USE
Judge blocks Trump administration from nixing collective bargaining for most federal employees — AP
New lawsuit argues Trump and DOGE's government overhaul is unconstitutional — NPR
More than 50,000 Los Angeles County workers take to picket lines demanding higher pay — AP
The Indispensability of the Labor Organizer — In These Times
TEXAS LABOR FAMILY NEWS
📜 This Week in Labor History…
The International Association of Machinists (IAM) was founded on May 5, 1888 by Thomas W. Talbot. Learn more.
🏃 Labor on the Move
Jesse Corona has joined the Texas AFL-CIO team as our new Digital Organizer. Jesse has created media for statewide political campaigns and was previously a member of OPEIU local 277. Welcome, Jesse!
💐 In Memory
Gary Lee Tate, a member of SMART Local 67, passed away on Apr. 22 at the age of 70. Donations in memory of Gary can be made to the Alzheimer's Association.
SOLIDARITY CORNER: EVENTS & ACTIONS
🚨 Take Action
Call your Member of Congress and tell them to co-sponsor the Protect America’s Workforce Act, H.R.2550! As of Apr. 30, all Texas Democrats have co-sponsored the bill. Call your Member HERE.
Send an email to State Representatives and tell them to end the attacks on Texas construction workers! Texas lawmakers shouldn't be trying to take a tool out of our toolbox — leave Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) alone. Send your message HERE.
Donate to support legal representation for a member of International Rescue Committee Workers Unite Texas, Office and Professional Employees International Union (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
Thursday, May 1: May Day
May Day, also called Workers' Day or International Workers' Day, is the day that commemorates the struggles and gains made by workers and the labor movement across the world.
- Austin: May Day Strong Rally
- Dallas: May Day Indoor Picnic
- San Antonio: May Day Rally - The People Over Billionaires
- Other events across the state
Saturday, May 3: Election Day for Texas's 2025 Local Elections
Find a guide to voting in Texas's May 2025 Local Elections HERE.
Monday, May 5 in Houston: AFGE Strong Rally
Join AFGE Local 1454 for a rally to stop the war on America's workforce!
Friday, May 10: Stamp Out Hunger with NALC
Join the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) on May 10 for the 2025 Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive! Since launching in 1993, the NALC’s annual program has grown into the nation’s largest one-day food drive, helping to fill the shelves of food banks in cities and towns throughout the United States. Simply leave your donation of nonperishable food in a bag near your mailbox on the second Saturday in May, and your letter carrier will do the rest.
📝 Applications & Programs:
- 2025 Strategic Corporate Research Summer School for folks interested in working in the labor movement at the Cornell School of Industrial and Labor Relations, applications due TODAY, May 1.
- Texas AFL-CIO Career-Building Scholarship for affiliated union members furthering their career, application due TOMORROW — Friday, May 2.
🇺🇸 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
⭐ Texas AFL-CIO 2025 Constitutional Convention: A Labor Movement as Big as Texas!
Registration is open for the Texas AFL-CIO 2025 Constitutional Convention, happening June 26-28 at the Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk.
- Purchase your early registration tickets HERE. Early bird pricing ends on May 23.
- Sponsorship opportunities are available! Details HERE.
📸 Photo of the Week
GREAT THANKS to all the union members, activists, newspersons, and political leaders who responded to the call to get Tarrant County labor leader Angi DeFelippo and May Day protest organizer Rick Mazemdarrick out of jail early Monday morning.
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