Lone Star Labor: Pay our TSA officers

How long could you go without a paycheck?

TSA officers across Texas are again required to work without pay. In the past few weeks, more than 480 TSA workers have quit their jobs nationwide. Thousands more are calling out sick. Airport lines are getting longer. And the people who keep our skies safe are being forced to choose between gas and groceries. 

These workers, represented by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), are frustrated by the situation and are blaming both political parties for failing to reach a compromise and for allowing workers to go unpaid while negotiations stall.

“The workforce is sick and tired of being political pawns in the middle of these games, and unfortunately, we are the chess pieces – not just the TSA officers but our colleagues at the Coast Guard and FEMA and other agencies that are not being paid and are struggling,” said AFGE Council 100 Secretary-Treasurer Johnny Jones.

Long lines and airport delays are the result of a system that fails the very workers meant to protect us when we fly. When billionaire politicians set our legislative priorities, working people pay the price.

That’s why unions exist. And that’s why we keep fighting. Call your Senator NOW to tell them to pass the Shutdown Fairness Act and pay our TSA officers! 

AS GOES TEXAS LABOR...

Austin: Dan Patrick shuts out Tarrant County Democrat from Senate committees, sparking backlash — The Dallas Morning News featuring International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Texas State Council President Sen. Taylor Rehmet (SD 9)

Beaumont: State labor leaders visit workers in Beaumont — Beaumont Enterprise ($) featuring Texas AFL-CIO President Leonard Aguilar and Secretary-Treasurer Lorraine Montemayor, and Sabine Area Central Labor Council President Justin Cooper and Secretary-Treasurer Bryan Gross

Dallas: DFW, Love Field TSA workers deployed to Houston to ease critical staffing shortages — WFAA featuring AFGE Local 1040 President Johnny Jones

Houston: New Harris County policy allows labor unions to serve as consultants for county employees — Community Impact featuring Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation Executive Director Hany Khalil and American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) member Guillermo Vazquez

San Antonio: San Antonio and Edgewood ISD boards will vote next week on handing over control of four campuses to Colorado-based charter school operator Third Future— San Antonio Express-News featuring San Antonio Alliance of Teachers and Support Personnel Local 67 President Alejandra Lopez

San Marcos: Texas State professor sues to keep his job following remarks about Israel and Palestine — San Antonio Express-News featuring Texas State Employees Union (TSEU), Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 6186 member Dr. Idris Robinson

Statewide: Mythbusting Texas’ Reactionary Past — Texas Observer featuring the Texas AFL-CIO

NEWS TO USE

Postal unions and stakeholders wary as Trump nominates little-known picks to USPS board — Government Executive

VA restores AFGE labor contract, but isn’t implementing it, court documents show — Federal News Network

Trump Strips Federal Worker Union Rights as Legal Fights Drag On — Bloomberg Law

How Texas became ground zero for AI data centers reshaping the energy industry — Houston Chronicle

AI & TECH NEWS BITE

“There is no worker, no industry that [AI and new tech] doesn’t touch. Every job is now a technology job… We’re at the most important fork in the road our economy has faced in 100 years.” — AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler discussing the challenges we face due to AI.

OpenAI is shutting down Sora, its video-generating tool. Video professionals were concerned by Sora’s capabilities, as well as the monetary and resource costs it required. For many reasons, AI can never replace people’s actual creativity. 

TEXAS LABOR FAMILY NEWS

🏃 LABOR ON THE MOVE

NEW ORGANIZING ✊🏽: Solidarity with staff at Graphic Packaging International in Waco, who voted overwhelmingly to form a union with United Steelworkers (USW)!

Congratulations to American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Local 3216 (San Antonio) members, who won policy changes that ensure the employee grievance process at Northside Independent School District is managed through a fair and timely process.

Solidarity with all who organized the Metroplex Career Rally last week in Austin, including the  International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers (SMART) LOCAL 67 (San Antonio), Iron Workers Local 482 (Austin), Insulators Local 87 (New Braunfels), IBEW Local 520, and United Association (UA) Local 286 (Austin).

Congratulations to the newly elected 2026-2028 AFT Local 6583 (Edinburg) Executive Board, including President Marsha Gonzalez, Vice President Carmen Peralez, and Treasurer Javier Olivarez! View the full list here.

Congratulations to IBEW Local 66 (Pasadena) brother Daniel Sartain, who was named the 2026 Apprentice of the Year by Southwestern Line Constructors Joint Apprenticeship and Training Program (SWLCAT), and to brother Kristopher Gruver, who topped out as journeyman lineman!

💐 IN MEMORY

Niges Jackson, member of UAW Local 276 (Grand Prairie), passed away at the age of 52.

Donald R. Leonard, member of UA Local 211 (Deer Park), passed away at the age of 71.

Our hearts go out to their friends and family.

SOLIDARITY CORNER: EVENTS & ACTIONS

🚨 TAKE ACTION

CALL YOUR SENATORS: Tell Your Senators: Don’t Make Voting Harder for Working People! The SAVE America Act would make it harder for millions of Americans to vote. Call your senators and tell them to stop this voter suppression bill. Take action here.

ADD YOUR NAME: Tell the FCC to update its VoIP oversight for the internet age! Sign this petition to tell the FCC to reclassify VoIP as a common carrier service and ensure everyone has access to high-quality phone service. Take action here.

SHARE or DONATE to GoFundMe pages for Texas union members:

• IBEW Local 520 (Austin) brother Brian
  Brian is an asylum seeker from Colombia and a proud member of IBEW Local 520. Donate here.
• IBEW Local 60 (San Antonio) sister Keyla 
  Keyla came to the U.S. legally from Honduras, leaving behind an awful life marked by poverty, unsafe living conditions, and constant danger. Today, she’s a licensed electrician and proud IBEW Local 60 member. Donate here.
• IBEW Local 66  (Pasadena) brother Chris
  Chris Kulhanek is currently facing a serious illness and could use our help. Donate here.

DELETE THE STARBUCKS APP: Stand with Starbucks Workers United! Union baristas are calling on Starbucks customers to #DeleteTheApp to show Starbucks that you stand with baristas, not billion-dollar companies. Take action here.

📆 EVENTS THIS WEEK

TODAY, Mar. 26 in Denton: The Fight for Free Speech Panel with Dr. Tom Alter
Join Dr. Tom Alter and the DFW Support Committee forl a discussion on the suppression of our First Amendment rights. Details here.

Saturday, Mar. 28 in Pasadena: Houston Citizenship Clinic
After attending an information session and confirming you are eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship, attend the Citizenship Clinic on Mar. 28! Details here.

Saturday, Mar. 28 in Pasadena: IBEW 66 Lineman's Rodeo 2026
IBEW Local 66 is proud to host their 2026 Lineman’s Rodeo! Stop by to watch 30 Journeyman Lineman teams and 40 Apprentices compete. Details here.

Saturday, Mar. 28 statewide: No Kings Day
When our families are under attack and costs are pushing people to the brink, silence is not an option. Find an event near you at nokings.org 

Thursday, Apr. 2 in Grand Prairie: Electricians Job Fair
IBEW Local 20 (Grand Prairie) and We Power America are hosting a Job Fair for experienced electricians. Drop in to ask questions and see what opportunities are available. Details here.

See all upcoming Texas labor events here.

📝 APPLICATIONS, PROGRAMS, & TRAININGS

AFL-CIO Upcoming Trainings:

• Monday, Mar. 30: Campaign Integrity
• Tuesday, Mar. 31: Debriefing for Effective Voter Contact

Saturday, Mar. 28 in Dallas: Texas Solidarity School
Develop skills to plan direct actions and work together to coordinate a May Day 2026 event that centers workers over billionaires. Details here.

Thursday, Apr. 9 through Friday, Apr. 10 in Houston: Managing with Labor's Values Workshop
Over two days, participants will learn how to be an effective manager while staying true to the values of the labor movement. Details here.

Saturday, Apr. 11 in Houston: Building Union Power Workshop
Members from over a dozen unions will come together to gain the skills and confidence to effectively demonstrate and exercise collective power. Hosted by Houston Workers Deserve Better. Details here.

Due May 1: Apply for a 2026 Texas AFL-CIO Career-Building Scholarship! Each year, the Texas AFL-CIO awards $1,500 scholarships to affiliated union members who have returned to school to advance their careers. Learn more and apply here.

📸 PHOTO OF THE WEEK

In Houston, future union members are learning the skills they need to launch their careers at the Texas Construction Career Pathways’ Multi-Craft Core Curriculum (MC3) Apprenticeship Readiness Program! Texas AFL-CIO President Leonard Aguilar and Secretary-Treasurer Lorraine Montemayor shared their labor movement origin stories and answered questions about what comes next.

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