Lone Star Labor: People power beats billionaires
Early voting starts in FIVE DAYS! It’s time to get out the vote for our labor-endorsed candidates.
Elections aren’t decided by social media posts or conversations alone. They’re won by the people who show up, volunteer, and turn interactions into real votes.
We just saw what’s possible. Our union brother and Senator-elect Taylor Rehmet won in Texas Senate District 9. His pro-worker message, backed by the Texas labor movement and our allies, was unstoppable. It didn’t matter how much more money his opponent raised. People power will beat billionaires if we come together and do the work.
Let’s keep the momentum of Taylor’s win going. Let’s volunteer for the candidates who will deliver real change. Here’s how you can help:
THIS SATURDAY, Feb. 14, we’re hosting a special Valentine's Day "Labor of Love" Primary Kick Off — with block walks and phone banks for our labor-endorsed candidates. There’s a chance of rain, so come prepared because these events will happen, rain or shine!
- In Austin, we’re block-walking with Communications Workers of America (CWA) District 6, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 1624, Austin Central Labor Council. Details here.
- In Grand Prairie, we’re block-walking with the Texas AFL-CIO, CWA District 6, United Steelworkers (USW), and the North Texas Area Labor Federation. Details here.
- In Houston, join the Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation to text and phone bank for Abbie Kamin for Harris County Attorney. Details here.
- In Port Arthur, we’re block-walking with USW, Sabine Area Central Labor Council, and allies. Details here.
If you can’t make it this weekend, no worries, we have other events you can join. Visit https://www.mobilize.us/txaflcio/ to see the rest of our volunteer opportunities.
Prepare for early voting!
AS GOES TEXAS LABOR...
Statewide: Texas Senate upset shows growing power of working-class candidates, unions say — Fort Worth Star-Telegram featuring International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Texas State Council President Taylor Rehmet, USW District 13 Assistant Director Marcos Vélez, and Texas AFL-CIO President Leonard Aguilar
Austin: Austin teacher defends educators and students as controversy over protests continues — CBS Austin featuring Education Austin member Taylor Carriker-Cavin
Houston: Steelworkers reach agreement with Marathon Petroleum, avert national strike — Houston Chronicle featuring USW
North Texas: American Airlines flight attendants vote no confidence in Isom as carrier underperforms — Dallas Morning News featuring Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA)
Statewide: Taylor Rehmet Shows Working-Class Politics Can Win Everywhere — Jacobin featuring IAM’s Taylor Rehmet
Statewide: Does Taylor Rehmet’s Victory Foreshadow an Anti-MAGA Wave? — Texas Observer featuring IAM’s Taylor Rehmet
Statewide: Texas' new teacher watchdog promises fairness as critics question political bent — Houston Chronicle featuring Texas American Federation of Teachers (Texas AFT)
NEWS TO USE
Trump administration plans to reclassify 50,000 federal workers, making them easier to fire — CNN
Trump’s War on Wind Energy Is Costing Him Blue-Collar Support — NOTUS
FEMA will resume staff reductions that were paused during winter storm, managers say — Associated Press
US union elections declined in 2025 after Trump hobbled labor board — The Guardian
TEXAS LABOR FAMILY NEWS
🏃 LABOR ON THE MOVE
Congratulations to AFSCME President Lee Saunders, who will retire in Aug. 2026 after 14 years of service! President Saunders started his tenure at a time when public service workers faced new attacks and challenges, but his leadership charted a clear path forward. In his own words, “Leadership changes hands, but the power stays exactly where it has always been, with the workers. Worker power endures, and AFSCME is built for the fights ahead.“
Solidarity with NewsGuild members at ProPublica, The Texas Tribune, and the Austin American-Statesman, who held a practice picket for fair contracts!
Congratulations to Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW) Texas President Pauline Mims, who was celebrated by Rep. Chris Turner, our labor-endorsed candidate for HD 101!
Join us in honoring National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Alamo Branch 421 carrier and Army veteran Ernest Fuentes Jr., who helped a driver to safety after witnessing a serious car accident. Ernest, we are so proud of you for your heroism. Thank you for immediately jumping into action.
The new mural at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 278 (Corpus Christi) by Malachy McKinney is now completed! Make sure to check it out the next time you’re in the area.
💐 IN MEMORY
John Nash, a longtime East Texas labor leader, passed away on Feb. 6 at the age of 86. He served for 30 years as president of USW Local 746 (previously United Rubber Workers Local 746). Throughout his career, he fought for workers, secured fair wages, and protected jobs
Nash also served as an officer in the Smith County Central Labor Council and in multiple leadership roles at the Texas AFL-CIO. He was inducted into the Texas Labor Hall of Fame in 2006. Read more about his legacy.
Our hearts go out to his friends and family.
SOLIDARITY CORNER: EVENTS & ACTIONS
🚨 TAKE ACTION
ADD YOUR NAME: Tell Hearst: Keep Texas news written by Texans! Hearst Media has bought up dozens of local newspapers across the state and now owns the four largest newspapers in Texas. We need to make sure that our local news and journalists’ jobs are protected! Take action 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.
DONATE TO PROPUBLICA GUILD’S STRIKE FUND: Donate to the ProPublica guild members' strike fund! The unionized workers at ProPublica are fighting for a fair contract. After two years of bargaining, they are preparing to strike. Help them win this fight! Donate here.
DONATE TO SUPPORT UNION BROTHER CHRIS CHANDLER: Help cover medical bills and expenses during Chris’s recovery! Chris, a member of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 205 (Austin), suffered a traumatic brain injury after taking a fall while working as a stagehand. Donate here.
📆 EVENTS THIS WEEK
TODAY, Feb. 12 in Fort Worth: Protest at Skyview with APFA
Join Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) for a protest outside of American Airlines Headquarters, Skyview 8, to demand accountability, improved operational support, and leadership change. Details here.
Saturday, Feb. 14: “Labor of Love" Primary Kick Off Block Walks & Events
Join us for a special Valentine's Day "Labor of Love" Primary Kick Off to knock doors for our labor-endorsed candidates.
- AUSTIN: Block walk with the Texas AFL-CIO, Communications Workers of America (CWA) District 6, AFSCME Local 1624, Austin Central Labor Council, and allies. Details here.
- GRAND PRAIRIE: Block walk with the Texas AFL-CIO, CWA District 6, United Steelworkers (USW), the North Texas Area Labor Federation, and allies. Details here.
- HOUSTON: Join the Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation to text and phone bank for Abbie Kamin for Harris County Attorney. Details here.
- PORT ARTHUR: Block walk with the Texas AFL-CIO, USW, Sabine Area Central Labor Council, and allies. Details here.
Tuesday, Feb. 17 statewide: First Day of Early Voting
Texas’ next Election Day is Tuesday, March 3. Early voting begins Feb 17 and runs through Feb 27. Click for details.
Tuesday, Feb. 17 virtually: Virtual Union Text Bank for Labor-Endorsed Candidates
Join the Texas AFL-CIO for a virtual text bank for our labor-endorsed candidates: Gina Hinojosa for Governor, Marcos Vélez for Lt. Governor, and Jose Loya for HD 101! Details here.
Thursday, Feb. 19 virtually: Virtual Union Phone Bank for North Texas Labor-Endorsed Candidates
Join the Texas AFL-CIO, CWA District 6, and North Texas Area Labor Federation for an in-person phone bank for our labor-endorsed candidates: Venton Jones for HD 100 and Chris Turner for HD 101! Details here.
Saturday, Feb. 21 in Cedar Creek: The Bigger Broader Bolder Bash
Join the Texas AFL-CIO for our inaugural Texas AFL-CIO Bigger Broader Bolder Bash to celebrate retired President Rick Levy’s years of commitment to the Texas labor movement! Details here.
See all upcoming Texas labor events here.
📝 APPLICATIONS, PROGRAMS & TRAININGS
DUE WEDNESDAY, Feb. 18: Register for the AFL-CIO Organizing Institute (OI) 3-Day Training! Our upcoming OI 3-Day Training will take place Mar. 11-13 in Austin. Attendees will gain valuable tools for union organizing campaigns. Details and registration link.
AFL-CIO Upcoming Trainings:
- Friday, Feb. 13: Recruiting Local Union Coordinators
- Tuesday, Feb. 17: Script Writing for Political Campaigns
- Wednesday, Feb. 18: Google Tools for Campaign Management
📸 PHOTO OF THE WEEK
The San Antonio Alliance of Teachers and Support Personnel, Local 67 made a strong showing at the Texas AFT San Antonio Regional Leadership Conference!
Photo via San Antonio Alliance
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