Lone Star Labor: Texas Union Members Are Fighting Back
Texas union members showed up in force at the rallies and hearings in Austin, Houston, and Arlington to oppose the corrupt redistricting process. Thank you to all who participated and showed that the labor movement will always be at the forefront of protecting Texas workers. Here’s a playlist of videos that will be updated as our fight continues.
Yesterday, Texas lawmakers dropped the gerrymandered map they plan to use to rig elections before we even get to the ballot box. Tomorrow, the Texas House Select Committee on Redistricting will hold a public hearing on the map. We need you to show up and speak out. Here’s how you can take action:
1. On Friday, pack the Capitol and sign up to testify: https://bit.ly/capitolfight
We'll be meeting in the main rotunda inside for a mini-rally at 10am.
2. If you're unable to join us in Austin, send a letter to your state representative ASAP: https://bit.ly/txredistrictingletter
3. Make your voice heard by submitting an online public comment: https://bit.ly/txredistrictingcomment
RESOURCES & QUICK LINKS:
CENTRAL TEXAS FLOOD RESOURCES & HOW TO HELP
We’ve compiled a list of resources and how to help here. Thank you to all of our emergency responders for their work during this crisis.
AS GOES TEXAS LABOR…
Arlington: North Texans rally against redistricting at UT Arlington hearing amid controversy over maps, voting rights — CBS News
Austin: 'We will not let Trump take over': Texans rally as state lawmakers begin redistricting hearings — KUT
Austin: Coalition of Texas women declares ‘let us pee in peace’ in opposition to Republican bathroom bill — The Advocate featuring Texas AFL-CIO Organizing & Advocacy Director Ana Gonzalez
Houston: Houston-area residents attack GOP redistricting plan at crowded hearing on UH campus — Houston Chronicle
Houston: Meow Wolf Workers in Houston Announce Union with Communications Workers of America — CWA
McAllen: ‘Redistricting scam’: Valley residents weigh in on new Texas map lines — Valley Central featuring Texas AFL-CIO Director of Politics and Policy, Emily Amps
Killeen: Killeen council approves firefighter association as sole bargaining partner, authorizes city to confer with it — Killeen Daily Herald
NEWS TO USE
‘The High Road’s Not Available to Us’: Texas Democrats Have Had Enough — New York Times featuring Texas AFL-CIO Secretary Treasurer Leonard Aguilar
Trump-appointed judge tosses White House lawsuit against labor unions — Politico
Trump’s Labor Department proposes more than 60 rule changes in a push to deregulate workplaces — AP
Largest rail union to challenge Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern mega-merger — CNBC
US labor activist Chris Smalls assaulted by IDF during Gaza aid trip, group says — The Guardian
TEXAS LABOR FAMILY NEWS
🏃 LABOR ON THE MOVE
Congratulations to the new Business Representative for IAM District 776 (Fort Worth), Zavier Myles!
Congratulations to LIUNA Local 1095 (San Antonio) Business Representative Lyn Hendricks, who will serve on the City of Austin Airport Commission!
Congratulations to IBEW Local 716 (Houston) President Mitch Mayon, who was recently sworn into the Court Appointed Special Advocates Program!
Congratulations to Teamsters Local 767 (Forest Hill) sister Leticia Guerra, who has been chosen as their very first Steward Spotlight recipient! Click to read her long list of accomplishments.
Congratulations to the new stewards of CWA Local 6733 (El Paso)!
Congratulations to IBEW Local 66 (Pasadena) brother Michael Nava Reyes, who topped out as journeyman lineman!
Join IAFF Local 51 (El Paso) in congratulating brother Mark Torres on his retirement after 30 years of service!
Congratulations to the workers at Universal Logistics in Wylie, who voted overwhelmingly to join Teamsters Local 745 (Dallas)!
We stand in solidarity with United Airlines Teamsters, who rallied outside George Bush Intercontinental Airport last week to demand a fair, industry-leading contract. Keep up the fight!
📜 THIS WEEK IN LABOR HISTORY…
The Medicare and Medicaid Act was signed into law on July 30, 1965, by President (and fellow Texan) Lyndon B. Johnson. The benefits this Act has provided to Americans are immeasurable. Learn more about the signing of the Medicare and Medicaid Act.
SOLIDARITY CORNER: EVENTS & ACTIONS
🚨 TAKE ACTION
Send a letter to your state representative telling them to reject this corrupt redistricting process!
Call your member of Congress and tell them to sign the discharge petition and pass the Protect America’s Workforce Act, H.R. 2550! This bipartisan bill will overturn President Trump’s executive order that ripped the right to collectively bargain away from hundreds of thousands of federal workers. We need every single member of Congress who says they support America’s unions to sign the discharge petition now. Call your Member HERE.
Donate to the AFGE Federal Employee Defense Fund to fund legal action and other strategies to defend American public employees.
📆 EVENTS
Friday, Aug. 1 in Austin: Pack the Capitol, Testify for Fair Maps
Governor Abbott is using the special session to push Trump’s political agenda rather than addressing the real crises Texans are facing. We need to show up and speak out. Details HERE.
Wednesday, Aug. 6 in Corpus Christi: Corpus Christi Labor Town Hall
Texas AFL-CIO President Rick Levy and Secretary-Treasurer Leonard Aguilar are hitting the road to hear from YOU about what the future of the Texas labor movement should look like. Details HERE.
Thursday, Aug. 7 in Harlingen: Rio Grande Valley Labor Town Hall
Texas AFL-CIO President Rick Levy and Secretary-Treasurer Leonard Aguilar are hitting the road to hear from YOU about what the future of the Texas labor movement should look like. Details HERE.
Friday, Sep. 5 through Sunday, Sep. 7 in Dallas: Texas YALL’s 2025 Hot Labor Summer Summit
Join the Texas Young Active Labor Leaders (YALL) for the 2025 Hot Labor Summer Summit. Any union members 40 years old or younger are welcome to join YALL. Details & registration here.
📝 APPLICATIONS & PROGRAMS
Enter Unions Power America Sweepstakes: Grand Prize of $40,000
This summer, Union Plus is giving away more than $300,000 to celebrate union members. Enter by August 18th! For details and sweepstakes entry, visit unionplus.org/laborday.
📸 PHOTO OF THE WEEK
Earlier this week, members from AFSCME Local 1624 (Austin) showed up, spoke out, and proudly represented public service workers at the Travis County Commissioners Court.
Photo courtesy AFSCME Local 1624
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