Lone Star Labor: Solidarity makes the difference
Thanks to your solidarity, workers at Ashland Specialty Chemicals just ratified a new contract, ending their 42-day strike!
This wouldn’t have happened without you. Our Texas City Metal Trades Council members showed up for each other, every single day, and the community showed up with them.
“A strike is never easy. It asks everything of our members and their families, and this one asked more than most,” said Lewis Crawford, IUOE Local 564 Business Agent and lead negotiator for the Texas City Metal Trades Council, AFL-CIO. “We didn't win every fight at that table — but we won something no contract can put a price on: trust, unity, and a brotherhood forged on that picket line. We're not just going back to work. We're going back stronger, together, than the local that walked out 42 days ago."
When working families fight alongside each other – right here in Texas – they win. That’s the union difference.
AS GOES TEXAS LABOR…
Austin: Austin airport employees report hot working conditions; officials point to summer heat, passenger volume — KVUE, featuring UNITE HERE Local 23 Organizer Iris Leija
College Station: Professors sue Texas A&M System over classroom ban on race, gender ideology — San Antonio Express-News, featuring American Association of University Professors (AAUP-AFT) President Todd Wolfson and members
Katy: Teachers’ union delivers health care petition to KISD board during public comments — Katy Times, featuring Katy American Federation of Teachers (Katy AFT) member Allison Knight
San Antonio: James Talarico highlights worker pay, skilled trades in San Antonio — News4SA, featuring United Association (UA) Local 142
San Marcos: Public defender union calls off strike — Queens Daily Eagle, featuring the Association of Legal Advocates and Attorneys (UAW Local 2325)
Statewide: Why is Texas taking over so many school districts? — Texas Monthly, featuring Education Austin (AFT Local 2048) President Ken Zarifis
Statewide: Texas releases first Education Freedom Account participation data — FOX26Houston, featuring Texas AFT President Zeph Capo
NEWS TO USE
Employers Stall Labor Contracts for Years. A New Bill Could Change That. — The American Prospect
Democrats Must Pick a Side: Billionaires or Working-Class | Opinion — Newsweek, by United Auto Workers (UAW) President Shaun Fain
The Cost of Deportations Calculator: The Trump administration is taking billions of taxpayer dollars to pay for mass deportations. What could this money be used for instead? — Economic Policy Institute
‘They’re selling the safety of the traveling public’: TSA workers decry Trump privatization push — The Guardian
AI & TECH NEWS BITE
New Resource: The AFL-CIO’s AI Tech Institute released a new document highlighting AI policy protections being advanced at the state level across the country.
TEXAS LABOR FAMILY NEWS
🏃 ON THE MOVE
Representatives of the North Texas Area Labor Federation were invited for a special meeting with U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico before the campaign’s huge rally in Arlington.
UA Plumbers Local 68 (Houston) Financial Secretary-Treasurer, William “Bill” Venable was featured in the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials’ (IAPMO) Official magazine.
UA Plumbers Local 68 (Houston) welcomed Hamilton Plumbing Services, a commercial and residential plumbing service provider, to the union family.
Lauren Benton has been appointed to the Northeast Houston AFT Executive Board, agreeing to advocate for the educators in Channelview ISD, Galena Park ISD and Sheldon ISD.
SOLIDARITY CORNER: EVENTS & ACTIONS
🚨 TAKE ACTION
MAKE A CALL: Protect Workers from Extreme Heat
Working in extreme heat, both inside and outside, makes workers vulnerable to heat-related illness and even death. Tell Congress to protect workers from heat—and not block heat safety protections. Dial 844-937-2517 or fill out the form to make a call.
ADD YOUR NAME:
- Fort Worth: Fair contract for the Fort Worth NewsGuild
- Harris County: Give Harris Center employees a raise & stop union busting, supporting United Workers of Harris Center (UWHC - CWA Local 6154)
📆 EVENTS THIS WEEK
Thursday, Aug. 6 online: 👩🏻🏫 AFL-CIO Training: Frontline Solidarity: Immigration Tools for Organizers and Activists
This session will provide participants with information to navigate the escalating attacks on immigrant workers and discuss resources available for unions and organizers. Details.
Friday, Aug. 7 in Houston: ✊ Caravan for Lorenzo
Join organizations and neighbors for a caravan to commemorate one month since ICE killed Lorenzo Salgado Araujo. Details.
Friday, Aug. 7 in Texas City: ✊ Ratification Rally with Ashland Workers
Join Texas City Metal Trades Council members to celebrate their new contract at Ashland Specialty Chemicals and commemorate 42 days on the picket line. Details.
Saturday, Aug. 8 in Corpus Christi: 🤝 Back to School Giveaway
Join the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 278 as they pass out free school supplies for the community. Details.
Saturday, Aug. 9 in Houston: 🤝 Back to School Giveaway
Join Houston Educational Support Personnel (HESP Local 6315) for their Back-to-School giveaway for bus drivers, custodians, food services, CFS workers, and their families and friends. Details.
Saturday, Aug. 8 in Baytown: 💸 USW 13-2001 Scholarship Market
Join United Steelworkers (USW) Local 13-2001 for their annual market to raise funds for local scholarships. Details.
Tuesday, Aug. 11 online: 👩🏻🏫 AFL-CIO Training: Volunteer Recruitment
Learn about the most effective methods and messaging for moving union members to take action. Details.
Friday, Aug. 14 in Houston: 💸 Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation's Working Families Awards Celebration
Join labor leaders, union members, community allies, and elected officials for an evening of recognition, solidarity, and inspiration as we celebrate the power of collective action and the people who make our movement strong. Details and tickets.
See Labor Day Events and all upcoming Texas labor events here.
📝 APPLICATIONS & PROGRAMS
Union Plus is giving away more than $150,000 in prizes to union families for their 40th anniversary! Union members can enter before Aug. 19. Details.
💪 TEXAS UNION STAFF JOBS
- Field Communications & Campaign Support Specialist – Communications (Western Region) — AFL-CIO
- Waco Area Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committee Electrical Instructor (Waco) — IBEW Local 72
📸 PHOTO OF THE WEEK
This week, more than 60 union members representing dozens of unions joined us for our Texas AFL-CIO North Texas Labor Town Hall! Members are ready to organize, build power, and elect pro-worker candidates in DFW.
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