Lone Star Labor: Texas Unions Are Building Voter Power
On Tuesday night, voters across the country sent a clear message: People want leaders who will stand up for working families and deliver real solutions.
Here in Texas, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Texas State Council president Taylor Rehmet is headed to a runoff in Senate District 9, after earning 47.56% of the vote in right-leaning Tarrant County. His opponents had the benefit of billionaire backers and major endorsements from both local and national Republican extremists, but all that money and influence couldn’t buy this election!
In Cy-Fair ISD, voters elected three new union-backed educators and parents to the school board: Lesley Guilmart, Dr. Cleveland Lane, and Kendra Camarena, ousting trustees who prioritized a far-right agenda over students’ needs.
In Houston ISD, voters dealt another blow to state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles, rejecting a bond proposal and electing union-backed trustees Maria Benzon (District 5) and Michael McDonough (District 6).
In Houston, union-endorsed Alejandra Salinas is headed to a runoff election for Houston City Council (At-Large 4). Union-endorsed Renee Jefferson Patterson is headed to a runoff election for Houston Community College (District 2).
And though not in Texas, we owe a debt of gratitude to California union members, who put it all on the line to defend democracy and fight for working people by passing Prop 50. Together, we showed Donald Trump and Greg Abbott that the labor movement across this country won’t stand for their corruption or schemes.
Next, we have to make sure Taylor and our other union-backed candidates win their runoff elections. Stay tuned for opportunities to knock doors, make calls, and get out the vote!
AS GOES TEXAS LABOR…
Grapevine: Meow Wolf workers stage walkout with planned 3-day strike — KERA News featuring Meow Wolf Workers Collective (Communications Workers of America - CWA Local 7055)
North Texas: $1.98 in their bank account: Shutdown leaves Fort Worth-area families in crisis — Fort Worth Star-Telegram featuring American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1003 President Justin Chen, AFGE Local 1040 President Johnny Jones, and Tarrant County Central Labor Council President Tevita ‘Uhatafe
North Texas: Texas area president of American Federation of Government Employees on government shutdown effects — CBS News featuring AFGE Local 1040 President Johnny Jones
San Antonio: Starbucks baristas in San Antonio join national call for ‘fair’ contract — San Antonio Express-News featuring Starbucks Workers United
Laredo: El Metro services to resume after labor agreement — KGNS featuring Teamsters Local 657
NEWS TO USE
WNBA and players union agree to 30-day extension for CBA negotiations, reports say — The Dallas Morning News
Labor activist takes on Teamsters leader allying with Trump: ‘He doesn’t represent the workers’ — The Guardian
FAA reducing air traffic by 10% across 40 ‘high-volume’ markets during government shutdown — Associated Press
Everybody Likes Unions — The Center for American Progress
TEXAS LABOR FAMILY NEWS
🏃 LABOR ON THE MOVE
NEW ORGANIZING ✊ - Congratulations to House of Blues Houston workers, who just unionized with International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 51! The near-unanimous vote brings in more than 40 entertainment workers and stage hands into the union. Welcome to the labor movement!
Solidarity with American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Local 3216 (San Antonio), who delivered more than 450 petitions demanding change to two anti-worker policies to the Northside ISD Board of Trustees meeting!
Shout out to American Federation of Musicians (AFM) Local 433 (Austin) who are spotlighting their newest members. So far, we’ve met Bonnie Whitmore, Nick Montopoli, and Brian Smith.
💐 IN MEMORY
Teamsters Local 767 in Forest Hill mourns the passing of brother Chris Johnson and brother Josh Headrick.
Sheet Metal Workers' International Association (SMART) Local 67 in San Antonio mourns the loss of brother Michael Moore.
Pipe Fitters Local 211 in Deer Park mourns the loss of brother Jason N. Jester, brother Robert C. Kiefer Jr, and brother Billy C. Janis.
Our hearts go out to their friends and family.
📜 THIS WEEK IN LABOR HISTORY…
On Nov. 1, 1979, the United Auto Workers (UAW) began a strike against International Harvester. The strike, which lasted 172 days, ended with a favorable contract for UAW that included stronger work regulations and mandatory overtime. Read reporting from the day the strike started and after the strike ended.
SOLIDARITY CORNER: EVENTS & ACTIONS
🚨 TAKE ACTION
DONATE: Join with Texas labor and donate today to help feed Texas families. We’re partnering with Feeding Texas, a network of 20 food banks, to make sure families across the state get the food and support they need. Your donation helps put food on the table for workers and families during this critical time. Donate here.
CALL: Tell Congress to stop the Trump shutdown, fix the health care crisis, and put working people first! Trump has shut down the government, choosing chaos and pain over responsible governing. Take two minutes to tell Congress to fund the government and put working people first. Take action here.
SIGN: Stand up against layoffs at the Harris Center! Join United Workers of Harris Center (UWHC), (CWA Local 6154) and tell Harris Center leadership to protect the workers who are the backbone of Harris County’s mental health services. Take action here.
SHARE: Defend Free Speech at Texas State University! Faculty, staff, and students are being punished for exercising their First Amendment rights. Contact the Board of Regents to tell them free speech suppression harms Texas State and is just plain wrong. Take action here.
📆 EVENTS THIS WEEK
TODAY, Thursday, Nov. 6 in San Antonio: San Antonio AFL-CIO Labor Legislative Debrief with Senator José Menéndez
Join the San Antonio AFL-CIO and Senator José Menéndez for a labor legislative debrief. This event will be for union members of our affiliated local unions. Details here.
Friday, Nov. 7 in Lake Jackson: International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 564 Informational Picket
Olin Chemical has decided to lay off union operators at its Freeport Plant. Join IUOE Local 564 for an informational picket at 10am to demand good faith bargaining and worker safety! Details here.
Saturday, Nov. 8 in San Antonio: Turkey Giveaway with SMART Local 67
The SMART Local 67 Women’s Committee is hosting its first annual Turkey Giveaway! Details here.
Monday, Nov. 10 in Austin: Texas State Employees Union (TSEU) Free Speech Solidarity Rally
Join TSEU members for a rally in solidarity with Caleb Newton, Tom Alter, and all others facing free speech suppression outside the Texas State University System Board of Regents meeting. Details here.
NEW Monday, Nov. 10: Virtual Town Hall: Growing Our Texas Labor Movement
Join this live conversation with President Rick Levy, President-Elect Leonard Aguilar, and Secretary-Treasurer-Elect Lorraine Montemayor to discuss where we've been and where we're going as we grow the Texas labor movement. Details here.
Thursday, Nov. 13: Potential Starbucks Workers United strike begins
Starbucks’ union members have voted to strike at the company’s U.S. stores next week unless it finalizes a contract agreement. Details here.
📆 PLAN AHEAD
Saturday, Nov. 15 in Sandy Creek: Volunteer Cleanup Day
FUND TEXAS FOREVER and LiUNA Local 1095 are coming together to support flood-impacted families as they rebuild their homes that were damaged and destroyed by the July 5th floods. Details here.
Wednesday, Nov. 19 in Waco: Waco Labor Town Hall
Texas AFL-CIO President-Elect Leonard Aguilar and Secretary-Treasurer-Elect Lorraine Montemayor are hitting the road for our Statewide Listening Tour to hear from Texans about what the future of the Texas labor movement should look like. Details here.
Jan. 24-25 in Georgetown: Texas AFL-CIO 2026 COPE Convention
Registration is now open for the 2026 COPE Convention! Book your hotel and register at texasaflcioconvention.org
See all upcoming Texas labor events here.
📝 APPLICATIONS & PROGRAMS
AFSCME Local 1624 (Austin) is hiring for Union Organizer & Communications and Union Representative roles to engage with employees, build solidarity, and recruit members. Details here.
Fair Shot for Texas Workers Political Action Committee (PAC) is hiring for a PAC Director based in Austin to lead and execute the organization’s electoral program in Texas, overseeing fundraising, field operations, and mail, digital, and email outreach. Details here.
📸 PHOTO OF THE WEEK
On Halloween, Texas Construction Career Pathways celebrated 100 statewide graduates of their Multi-Craft Core Curriculum (MC3) Apprenticeship Readiness Program! 💪 These graduates are now headed into empowering careers in union trades and green construction, helping build the future of our state!
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