Lone Star Labor: On the Road Again
ONE BIG THING: WE’RE HITTING THE ROAD
Forget Taylor Swift. The biggest tour of the year is about to kick off right here in Texas!
Over the course of the year, the Texas AFL-CIO will be hitting the road on a statewide Listening Tour! Starting in San Antonio on April 1, we’ll be stopping in cities in every corner of the state to hear from YOU – Texas workers.
After the November election, and still today, a lot of people are trying to figure out where our movement goes next. While workers are unionizing now more than ever and union popularity is at a 60-year high, that’s not translating to electing more lawmakers who are willing to put workers ahead of their billionaire donors.
That’s why we need to hear directly from Texas union members about what the future of the Texas labor movement should look like, what our values should be, and what you want from your state elected officials.
Our movement is under attack from anti-worker billionaires and their political puppets. Now more than ever, we need to stand strong together and make sure our solidarity never wavers. That starts by listening to what YOU have to say about our movement – and where we go from here.
Are you a San Antonio union member? RSVP here for our San Antonio Labor Town Hall on April 1. Otherwise, stay tuned for announcements about our upcoming stops. See you on the road!
AS GOES TEXAS LABOR…
Austin: Texas Construction Career Pathways apprenticeship program holds first graduation
Corpus Christi: Local union unites to fight for fair wages against CCISD
Dallas: Dallas Labor revs up fight against DOGE with demonstrations
El Paso: Firefighters aim to transform the battle against occupational cancer in Borderland
Washington, D.C.: ASL Interpreters Union holds press conference in front of FCC building
NEWS TO USE
Parents and students protest Texas school vouchers during PTA Rally Day at State Capitol – Austin American-Statesman
VA fires workers at clinics, hospitals in San Antonio, Austin and Houston – San Antonio Express-News
DoorDash to pay NY delivery workers $17 million for using their tips to cover wages – AP News
Federal agency investigating Elon Musk's Tesla hit with DOGE layoffs – USA Today
U.S. House Passes G.O.P. Budget Teeing Up Enormous Tax and Spending Cuts – The New York Times ($)
TEXAS LABOR FAMILY NEWS
🏃 Labor on the Move
Congratulations to the recently elected leadership of the Tarrant County, and El Paso Central Labor Councils!
Tarrant County
Brian Golden, President
Tevita Uhatafe, 1st Vice President
John Gardner, 2nd Vice President
Dr. Bobbie Thompson Williams, 3rd Vice President
Marc House, Financial Secretary/Treasurer
Mariah Warwick, Recording Secretary
Ben Lamkin, Sergeant at Arms
El Paso
Paul Thompson, President
Carlos Gonzalez, Vice President
Leticia Marcum, Treasurer
Barbara Wilson, Recording Secretary
Eddie Trevizo, Volunteer in Programs/Politics
Shawn O’Donnel, Trustee
Sylvia Searfoss, Executive Committee Member
✊🏿 Black History Month
Last week’s Black History Month was John W. Bland, longtime civil rights and Transport Workers Union (TWU) leader! His dedication to our twin fights for racial and economic justice can be summed up in his own words: “As long as God gives me breath, I will keep fighting for the rights and the privileges of the underprivileged to get what we so richly deserve.” Read his full highlight here and keep an eye on our social media to see this week’s!
💐 In Memory
The Texas AFL-CIO mourns the passing of Manuel Rodriguez of El Paso Fire Fighters Local 51. From the local: “A 22 year veteran of the El Paso Fire Department, Brother Rodriguez also served his country as a US Army Paratrooper prior to his time in the Fire Service. Following his time with the EPFD he continued his service to the El Paso community as a small business owner. Brother Rodriguez will be greatly missed by his friends, family and fire department family.”
SOLIDARITY CORNER: EVENTS & ACTIONS
Sunday, Mar. 2: Houston United for Justice Rally
Join Houston advocacy groups, elected officials, labor leaders, and more for a collective day of action on Sunday, March 2! Details HERE.
Tuesday, Mar. 4: Corpus Christi AFT Rally
Fight back against attacks on public education with Corpus Christi AFT at 12pm on March 4 at the Corpus Christi ISD building! Details HERE.
Thursday, Mar. 6 in Austin: Retirement Party Honoring Ed Sills
This year, Ed Sills retired after 31 years of service with the Texas AFL-CIO and the broader Texas labor movement. Join us on March 6 from 4-7pm to celebrate! Details and RSVP 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
Share Your Story with the AFL-CIO
Are you a federal worker affected by Trump’s Executive Orders or Musk’s DOGE? Is your school being targeted by ICE raids? Is your union election on hold while the NLRB hangs in limbo? The national AFL-CIO wants to hear from you! Share your story here so the world can see how the Trump administration’s policies are affecting working people.
Applications Open: Texas AFL-CIO Career-Building Scholarship
Union members: Are you planning on going back to school to build your career? We can help! Apply for our 2025 Career Building Scholarship to receive a $1,500 grant or share with your networks to get the word out. Applications close May 2nd. Details and application HERE.
Applications Open: AFL-CIO Organizing Apprenticeship Application
Want to become an organizer? Apply for the national AFL-CIO Organizing Institute Organizer Apprenticeship training! Applications are open for the next training in Washington, D.C. from April 23-25. Details HERE.
Applications Open: Coalition of Black Trade Unionists Leonard C. Ball & James H. Bell Scholarship
Soon-to-be and current undergraduate students of CBTU families can apply to receive a $2,000 scholarship! Applications are due April 11, 2025. Details HERE.
📸 Photo of the Week
Twelve outstanding participants celebrated graduating the Texas Construction Career Pathways program at UA Local 268 in Austin on February 21! Congratulations, y’all!
Did you enjoy this newsletter? Let us know and submit photos, events, and other Texas labor news at labor@texasaflcio.org!