Lone Star Labor: Texas wins are union-made
Texas made it clear Tuesday night: we’re ready for pro-worker leaders who share our values and will put working families first. We went up against historic campaign spending by billionaire-backed politicians — and proved that union members don’t back down when it comes to our jobs, our public schools, and our communities.
Texas labor unions had several historic wins, including:
1️⃣ Governor-Elect Gina Hinojosa and U.S. Senator-Elect James Talarico, both proud Texas State Employees Union (CWA-TSEU) members, leading the charge.
- Gov.-Elect Hinojosa unseated three-term incumbent Greg Abbott on a platform fighting for public schools.
- Sen.-Elect Talarico defeated Ken Paxton, overcoming Elon Musk’s attempt to buy the seat with a $124 million donation.
2️⃣ A record 14 union-first members were elected across Texas, including the Texas Senate, House, State Board of Education, and Texas Supreme Court.
- Sen. Taylor Rehmet—the first rank-and-file union member elected to the Texas Senate, secured his seat in Tarrant County.
3️⃣ Texas Labor is key to this transition period.
- Gov.-Elect Hinojosa has selected Texas State Building and Construction Trades Executive Director Ryan Pollock as one of the Co-Chairs for her transition team. Labor is at the table and making the calls!
Together, we organized the largest midterm mobilization in Texas union history. We hit the pavement and the phones across the state—knocking on over 50,000 doors, making over 233,000 calls, sending 510,000 texts, and mailing 280,000 local union letters to voters across the state.
These historic victories for pro-worker candidates were built over decades, driven by the resilience and solidarity of generations of union members who came before us. To every single volunteer, past and present, who put in the work — this victory belongs to you.
Take a moment to celebrate and then let’s get back to work. With union membership at a 25-year union high, we have an undeniable mandate. We must unionize every workplace, raise the minimum wage, expand Medicaid, and fully-fund our public schools. Let’s carry this momentum straight into the legislative session!
AS GOES TEXAS LABOR…
Statewide: ‘I’m feeling some trepidation’: Will Talarico pull off a generational upset over Paxton? — Texas Observer, featuring Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation, IAM Union (International Association of Machinists) President Brian Bryant, and President of IAM Local 776B and President of the Texas IAM Union State Council Sen. Taylor Rehmet
Houston: Houston City Council approves stronger wage and worker protections for companies receiving tax breaks — Style Magazine, featuring Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation Organizing Director Linda Morales
Houston: El voto latino logrará el cambio necesario en Texas (“The Latino vote will bring about the necessary change in Texas”) — La Jornada, featuring Service Employees International Union (SEIU) President Elsa Flores
San Antonio: How Gina Hinojosa could reshape San Antonio schools as Texas governor — San Antonio Express News, featuring Texas AFT Secretary-Treasurer Wanda Longoria
NEWS TO USE
What the midterms meant for working-class candidates — TIME
Democrats’ legislative agenda set to feature worker power — Bloomberg Law
‘Are you with us, the workers, or are you with the big tech billionaires? — Politico
🤖 AI & TECH NEWS BITE
Workers must stand in solidarity against corporations that may use AI to exploit them.
The American Federation of Musicians (AFM) has launched its “Human Made, Human Paid” campaign to protect their creative rights and preserve human artistry against artificial intelligence (AI) exploitation.
This campaign comes as AFM continues to negotiate their collective bargaining agreement with recording corporations like Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group, and Disney’s Hollywood Records.
Rather than a fight against adopting new technology broadly, AFM is fighting for fair standards and transparency. AFM plans to hold corporations accountable and retain their rights to consent, credit, and compensation whenever human art is used for AI development.
Sign the petition to show your support for creative workers against corporate exploitation.
TEXAS LABOR FAMILY NEWS
🏃 ON THE MOVE
Texas State Building and Construction Trades Executive Director Ryan Pollock has been selected as a Co-Chair for Gov.-Elect Gina Hinojosa’s transition team.
💐 IN MEMORY
Brother Perry Eliano, husband of American Federation of Government Employees District 10 National Vice President Cheryl Eliano, passed away on Oct. 22 at age 69.
Brother Quintus Morris, a 64-year member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 301, passed away on Sept. 16 at the age of 85.
Our hearts go out to their union families and all who loved them.
SOLIDARITY CORNER: EVENTS & ACTIONS
🚨 TAKE ACTION
DEADLINE TODAY for hotel reservations: ✊ Texas AFL-CIO Women’s Summit in San Marcos, TX
Registration is open for the 2026 Texas AFL-CIO Women’s Summit from Nov. 20-22 in San Marcos, TX. Can we count on you or your members to join us?
SIGN THE PETITION: Make the “Human Made, Human Paid” pledge
The American Federation of Musicians is fighting to make sure musicians are fairly compensated, credited, and consulted as AI technology develops. Sign the petition.
💪 TEXAS UNION STAFF JOBS
Labor Representative (El Paso) — National Nurses United
📸 PHOTO OF THE WEEK
Union members, including Texas AFL-CIO President Leonard Aguilar, Texas AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Lorraine Montemayor, and IAM (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) President Brian Bryant, celebrated at U.S. Senator-Elect James Talarico’s victory party. We know James will go to work for us!
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