Lone Star Labor: Texas organizing, solidarity, & the Spurs
Organizing WORKS, especially in places like Texas. We’ve beat unimaginable hurdles with our movement’s solidarity. That’s why our movement is growing!
In 2025, Texas had 673,000 union members. That’s the highest number in 25 years and our fourth straight year of growth. Texas now has the fourth-most union members of any state in the U.S., following California, New York, and Illinois. And unions are more popular than ever because all workers want better pay, safer working conditions, and a voice in the workplace.
Texas has its unique challenges, but organizing and solidarity are our super power.
Ahead of the NBA Finals, we agreed to a friendly wager with the New York State AFL-CIO. If the Spurs bring home the championship, New York owes us two dozen of their finest bagels. If the Knicks win, we’ll ship two dozen of the world’s best conchas to them.
We have complete faith in the Spurs. Through their own solidarity, they overcame their underdog status and charmed the country.
And like the Spurs, our Texas labor movement can win anywhere. In industries that once seemed impossible to unionize or improve, workers are inspired by our wins and are organizing themselves.
Every organizing effort makes a difference and builds momentum. It shows workers what is possible when we come together.
That’s why we’re excited the AFL-CIO Organizing Institute is coming back to Austin this July. It’s three days of hands-on training for union organizers at every level. Participants will learn:
- Day 1 - How to have the Right 1-on-1 Organizing Conversation;
- Day 2 - Recruiting and Developing Key Workplace Leaders;
- Day 3 - How to Run Issue Campaigns to Build Momentum!
This is how we build worker power in Texas. If you’re interested, visit our website for details and the registration link.
Game 1 didn’t go how we hoped. The Spurs have work to do. So do we. Let’s keep organizing.
Go Spurs Go. 🩵🩷🧡
AS GOES TEXAS LABOR…
Austin: Has TEA Set the Stage to Take Over Austin ISD? — Austin Chronicle featuring Education Austin President Ken Zarifis
Houston: HISD’s Mike Miles was paid consulting fees after state ban. What happens next? — Houston Chronicle featuring Texas State Employees Union (TSEU) Communications Workers of America (CWA) 6186 & CWA 1180 member State Rep. Lauren Ashley Simmons (HD 146)
Houston: Houston City Council tackles budget challenges, new admin fee ahead of June 10 vote — Fox 26 Houston featuring Houston Organization of Public Employees (HOPE) American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 123 Vice President Damien Allen, and Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation Executive Director Hany Khalil
San Antonio: Meet Democrats’ pick for Texas House District 125, a local public school teacher — San Antonio Report featuring San Antonio Alliance Vice President Adrian Reyna, Texas American Federation of Teachers (AFT) President Zeph Capo, and Texas AFL-CIO President Leonard Aguilar
South Texas: ‘La Causa’ Continues in South Texas — Texas Observer featuring United Farm Workers (UFW) and the Texas AFL-CIO
Statewide: Texas parents want more childcare flexibility, time with kids, survey says — Fort Worth Star-Telegram
NEWS TO USE
Fact Sheet: There is a Nurse Retention Crisis, Not a Nurse Shortage — National Nurses United
United States added to Watchlist as attacks on workers’ freedoms accelerate the erosion of democracy: ITUC Global Rights Index 2026 — International Trade Union Confederation
Unions flex muscle as states weigh data center rules — E&E News by Politico
‘We want fans to know the risks’: US immigrant rights groups mobilize across World Cup host cities amid ICE fears — The Guardian
AI & TECH NEWS BITE
Worker-Centered AI Principle #3: Support and promote copyright and intellectual property protections
AI can recreate workers’ voices, faces, and creative work, often without consideration of consent or compensation. That puts jobs at risk and makes it harder for artists, actors, and athletes to earn a fair living. Strong copyright protections that limit how AI can be used mean workers get a say in how their work is used, and ensure they get paid.
TEXAS LABOR FAMILY NEWS
🏃 ON THE MOVE
NEW ORGANIZING ✊ Workers at El Paso Electric Company have voted to unionize with International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 960.
Congratulations to Kara Cervantes, the new president of AFT Local 3483 (El Paso AFT)!
Congratulations to Education Austin member Erica Garza, who just celebrated 25 years of service.
Congratulations to the graduating apprentices of United Association (UA) Local 286 (Austin).
Congratulations to brothers Nicholas Luebke, Blake Pasterello, Joseph Nichols, Juan Gonzalez, Branton Keller, and Robert Reyes of IBEW Local 681 (Wichita Falls), who are now Journeyman Wiremen.
💐 IN MEMORY
Dean Corgey, Seafarers International Union (SIU) Vice President, passed away at the age of 73. For more than 50 years, Dean fought for maritime workers, strengthened unions across Texas, and mentored the next generation of labor leaders. As a Texas AFL-CIO Executive Board Member, he offered wisdom through straight talk and would sometimes even grace us with a song.
Sylvia Collins, a longtime activist and member of the Texas Alliance for Retired Americans (TARA) Dallas Chapter, passed away on May 28 at the age of 75.
Edgar Vazquez, member of IBEW Local 520 (Austin), passed away on May 25 at the age of 23.
Our hearts go out to their friends and family.
SOLIDARITY CORNER: EVENTS & ACTIONS
🚨 TAKE ACTION
SHARE or DONATE to GoFundMe pages for Texas union members:
- IBEW Local 520 (Austin) brother Edgar Vazquez Edgar suddenly passed in a tragic accident, and his family is raising funds to lay him to rest with family in Mexico. Donate here.
CALL TO END UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICES: Tell Spring Glass: Stop committing ULP! IUPAT District Council 10, Glaziers Local 1778, is on an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) strike against Spring Glass. Call Spring Glass to demand that they respect workers' rights! Take action here.
CALL YOUR MEMBER OF CONGRESS: Tell Congress: No Blank Checks for ICE! It’s time for Congress to do their job and refuse to use taxpayer dollars to fund agencies that are accountable to no one. Workers want affordability and stability, not fear and chaos! Take action here.
📆 EVENTS THIS WEEK
Saturday, June 6 in Arlington: 👟 Union Block Walk for Jason Shelton for City Council
Join the North Texas Area Labor Federation to knock doors for labor-endorsed candidate Dr. Jason Shelton for Arlington City Council District 8 (at-large). Details.
See all upcoming Texas labor events here.
📆 PLAN AHEAD
SAVE THE DATE! Thursday, Oct. 1 in Leander: 23rd 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.
📆 APPLICATIONS & PROGRAMS
American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) is hiring for a Field Legislative & Political Action Organizer based in Texas. This role is responsible for developing and implementing national and grassroots lobbying strategies/campaigns, issue mobilization campaigns, federal election strategies, and membership recruitment. Apply here.
The Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation is hiring for a Political & Communications Director based in Houston. This role is responsible for leading the federation’s political and member mobilization efforts across multiple counties in the Houston Region to elect labor champions to local, state, and federal offices. Apply here.
Enter the Union Plus Unions Power America Hometown Heroes Contest: Grand Prize of $40,000 and a trip to New York
In honor of their 40th anniversary, Union Plus is giving away more than $150,000 in prizes to union members. Enter by June 17. For details and to enter the sweepstakes, visit unionplus.org/laborday.
📸 PHOTO OF THE WEEK
Fort Worth Reporters Guild members had their first official bargaining session. They’re fighting for regular raises, a transparent pay scale, and protections against unjust firings and layoffs. ✊🏽
Photo via Fort Worth Reporters Guild
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