Lone Star Labor: Texas educators are under attack — and fighting back.
First, there was the Texas A&M professor fired after a video of a classroom discussion went viral and Greg Abbott called for her removal. Then, Texas State University fired a tenured professor with no notice for statements he made at a conference. Next, the Texas Education Agency has threatened nearly 300 teachers with suspension and the end of their teaching careers for thoughts expressed on their private social media accounts.
In each case, Greg Abbott and other elected officials are applying political pressure to punish people for sharing the “wrong” political opinions. Educational institutions are complying with their demands, often without due process. This is an erosion of academic freedom, and this is a direct attack on our First Amendment rights.
We can’t expect our institutions to defend us. We must come together, raise our voices, and fight back. And that’s exactly what the Texas American Federation of Teachers (Texas AFT), Texas State Employees Union (TSEU CWA Local 6186), and the Texas Conference of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) are doing.
As Texas AFT President Zeph Capo said, “If you value your freedom, now is the time to speak up and defend the rights of all Texans to exercise their constitutional right to have an opinion on matters of civil discourse.”
Take action to support union members and defend academic freedom:
- Petition for Texas State University students, staff, and alumni: Reinstate Dr. Tom Alter, Defend Free Speech at Texas State University
Petition for all allies of higher education: Reinstate Dr. Tom Alter, Defend Free Speech at Texas State University
AS GOES TEXAS LABOR…
Arlington: Labor leaders stand in solidarity with WNBA players advocating better pay — NBCDFW featuring Tarrant County Central Labor Council President Tevita Uhatafe and Texas AFL-CIO Texas Immigrant Worker Project Coordinator Fabiola Barreto
DFW: Workers at Tom Thumb, Albertsons stores in DFW hope to unionize — Dallas Business Journal ($)
Houston: Judge issues partial injunction against Houston ISD in pay-for-performance dispute with teachers’ union — Houston Public Media featuring Houston Federation of Teachers President Jackie Anderson
Houston: Historic hotel worker strike enters third week, postpones Houston's State of the City address — ABC 13 featuring UNITE Here Texas President Franchesca Caraballo
Houston: Teachers union calls for school officials to cancel business during hotel workers' strike — Houston Chronicle featuring Texas AFT President Zeph Capo and Unite Here Local 23 Secretary-Treasurer Willy Gonzalez
San Antonio: Free legal clinic offers help to permanent residents who aim to be U.S. Citizens — Texas Public Radio featuring Texas AFL-CIO
San Marcos: Texas State professor fired over remarks files lawsuit against university — Spectrum News
NEWS TO USE
Bill to nullify Trump’s union executive orders introduced by 48 senators — Government Executive
US senators demand Wells Fargo welcome employee unions — Reuters ($)
‘Like working in a prison’: cuts, fear and understaffing at Trump’s labor department — The Guardian
'Abbott Elementary’ Production Assistants File for Union Election — The Hollywood Reporter
TEXAS LABOR FAMILY NEWS
🏃 LABOR ON THE MOVE
NEW ORGANIZING ✊ - Solidarity with the workers at Tom Thumb and Albertsons stores in DFW looking to unionize and join United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW)
NEW ORGANIZING ✊ - Solidarity with the 14 employees at Spec’s Wine, Spirits, & Finer Foods in Temple, TX, who have filed for a union election to join Teamsters Local 657!
Congratulations to IBEW Local 66 (Pasadena) brothers Michael Franks and Cecilio Garcia, who topped out as journeymen linemen!
Congratulations to brother Randall Rutledge of UA Local 142 (San Antonio), who received his 50-year membership certificate and pin.
Join Teamsters Local 767 (DFW) in celebrating their UPS retirees. You can view the complete list here.
💐 IN MEMORY
USW Local 13-1 mourns Vice President Reverend James Daniels, who passed away at age 77. He was a member of the Laborers Union, AFSCME, OCAW, PACE, and USW; a union member for over 50 years. Rev. Daniels was instrumental in organizing the City of Galveston, City of La Marque, City of Texas City, and Galveston County to join USW Local 13-1 in the 1990s.
Pipe Fitters Local 211 mourns brother Charles R. Johnston, who passed away at the age of 56, and brother Robert E. West, who passed away at the age of 84.
UA Local 286 mourns brother William “Bill” Hoover, who passed away at the age of 78.
The Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association mourns brother Stephen Scott, a 30-year veteran who passed away in the line-of-duty.
Our hearts go out to their friends and family.
📜 THIS WEEK IN LABOR HISTORY…
On September 19, 1981, between 250,000 and 500,000 unionists converged on Washington, D.C. for the AFL–CIO's Solidarity Day march. Learn more and see photos from that day.
SOLIDARITY CORNER: EVENTS & ACTIONS
🚨 TAKE ACTION
Contribute to the hardship fund for striking UNITE HERE Local 23 workers in Houston here. Workers are on strike for fair wages. Learn more and donate HERE.
NEW Pledge not to cross the picket line if Starbucks baristas decide to go on strike. Stand with Starbucks Workers United until they win the contract they deserve. Learn more and take the pledge HERE.
NEW Support IRC Workers Unite (OPEIU Local 277): Tell the International Rescue Committee (IRC) to prioritize their staff and clients and give workers more bargaining dates before Sept. 30! More information HERE.
NEW Pledge to boycott T-Mobile and other products to support union members across the country. See the official AFL-CIO Boycott List HERE.
Donate to the AFGE Federal Employee Defense Fund to fund legal action and other strategies to defend American public employees.
📆 EVENTS THIS WEEK
ONGOING in Houston: Join the picket line with UNITE HERE Local 23
Join community members standing in solidarity with UNITE HERE Local 23 members on strike at Houston’s Hilton Americas hotel.
TODAY at 6pm CT - Thursday, Sep. 18 in San Antonio: Second Annual Fiesta Patrias
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with the San Antonio chapter of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA). Details here.
Saturday, Sep. 20 in Irving: Teamsters Local 767 2nd Annual Golf Tournament
Teeing off for a good cause! All proceeds go towards the Teamsters Local 767 Scholarship Fund. Details here.
Monday, Sep. 22 virtually: AFL-CIO Training: Common Sense Economics: Project 2025
This workshop explores Project 2025’s impact on workers and how we can fight back against its anti-worker policies. Details here.
Tuesday, Sep. 23 virtually: AFL-CIO Training: Coalition Building
Learn about creative, nonviolent tactics that the labor movement can use to fight for freedom, fairness and security for all workers. Details here.
Tuesday, Sep. 23 in Dallas: Rally to Fight Against Job Cuts to Essential Workers
The Dallas City Council has just passed a budget that includes a reduction-in-force affecting approximately 100 employees. Join the rally to fight for essential workers! Details here.
📆 PLAN AHEAD
Monday, Sept. 29 in Austin: Austin Labor Town Hall
Texas AFL-CIO President Rick Levy and Secretary-Treasurer Leonard Aguilar are hitting the road for our Statewide Listening Tour to hear from Texas union members. Our next stop is in Austin! RSVP here.
Wednesday, Oct. 8 in Leander: 22nd Annual Texas AFL-CIO • Walter Umphrey Golf Tournament
Support the Texas AFL-CIO Membership Education Fund and the Texas AFL-CIO Scholarship Fund at this Four-Person scramble at the Crystal Falls Golf Course. Details & registration here.
January 24-25, 2026 in Georgetown: Texas AFL-CIO 2026 COPE Convention
Save the date for our 2026 COPE Convention. More details coming soon!
📝 APPLICATIONS & PROGRAMS
2026 Ruth Ellinger Leadership Academy
This one-year training program is a skill-building and leadership development course managed by the Texas AFL-CIO to help grow and support the next generation of union leaders in Texas. Applications are due by Monday, Nov. 3. Apply here.
📸 PHOTO OF THE WEEK
The brothers and sisters of SMART Local 67 (San Antonio) recently came together during their free time to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity.
Photo courtesy SMART Local 67
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