Lone Star Labor: Trump is lying to us
ONE BIG THING: TRUMP’S LIES COME INTO FOCUS
Remember how Trump campaigned on being a champion of the working class? We’re one month into his second term and it couldn’t be more clear he was full of it.
For starters, Trump and his anti-worker billionaire puppetmaster Elon Musk have fired an estimated 200,000 federal workers since he took office, with the attacks increasing over the past week. Thousands of workers across agencies, including Veterans’ Affairs, the Department of Education, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) have been unjustly – and possibly illegally – fired.
These workers provide essential services to the American people. VA workers – many of whom are veterans themselves – help veterans access healthcare and job programs. CFPB workers hold predatory companies accountable and prevent consumers like us from getting fleeced. Department of Education workers disburse federal funds to states to ensure every student, no matter their ZIP code or family income, can get a good education. Texas is home to 130,000 of these public servants, and we will continue to fight to protect them from these unjust attacks.
Trump and Elon Musk’s rampage has nothing to do with “efficiency,” as they claim. This is about attacking working people and gutting essential services so they can dole out tax breaks to their billionaire buddies. That’s who they care about – not the American worker.
Meanwhile, Trump’s pick for Labor Secretary, Lori Chavez-DeRemer, had her first Senate committee confirmation hearing this week. During that hearing, she said she SUPPORTS right-to-work laws and walked back her support for the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act. Here in Texas, we know firsthand how these right-to-work for LESS laws stack the decks against workers and make it easier for big corporations to exploit us. Anyone who supports right-to-work for less laws is no labor champion.
And let’s not forget: one of Trump’s first actions was firing National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) member Gwynne Wilcox, the first Black woman to serve on the Board in its 90-year history, despite there being more than three years left in her term. Wilcox is challenging her firing in court, but while that plays out the NLRB is left without a quorum and unable to carry out its mission of protecting workers’ rights. Once again, this helps Trump’s billionaire buddies and the big corporations they run – and it screws over workers.
Trump and Elon Musk did all this in just one month. There’s no telling what they’ll do to attack working people over the next four years – but what we do know is that the labor movement has never been more united. We will defend ALL workers from these billionaire-backed attacks.
We’re gearing up to do just that at the Texas Legislature. Today, the House’s version of Greg Abbott’s private school voucher scam was filed, and will likely get referred to committee sometime over the next few days. Once its committee hearing is scheduled, we’ll be reaching out to YOU to testify against the bill, submit written testimony, and make calls to your representatives.
The fight continues!
AS GOES TEXAS LABOR…
Tyler Turner, president of OPEIU Local 277 in Fort Worth, named OPIEU president
Texas federal workers on edge as Trump administration pursues mass firings
Socorro ISD board approves plan to lay off about 300 employees
NEWS TO USE
Exclusive: Tesla cited by U.S. regulators over worker's death – Reuters
Tesla reported zero federal income tax on $2 billion of U.S. income in 2024 – Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy
Trump vowed to champion US workers — the reality has been a relentless assault – The Guardian
“Elon Musk Is a Walking Conflict of Interest” – Mother Jones
Inside the Trump purge: Federal workers tell their story – The New York Times’ The Daily (Podcast)
TEXAS LABOR FAMILY NEWS
🏃 Labor on the Move
David Lopez, National Organizer with the International Union of Elevator Contractors (IUEC) based in DFW, recently completed the Harvard Trade Union Program, a five-week program with labor leaders from all over the world. “Most importantly, HTUP gave me the opportunity to meet and learn from fellow Brothers and Sisters in the labor movement,” David said. Congratulations on this accomplishment, David!
Derek Cearley of International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) District 776 Lodge (Fort Worth) has been appointed as Special Representative for IAMAW Southern Territory. Congratulations, Derek!
Dillwyn Mathuren, member of NALC Branch 181 (Austin), retired from USPS service in Round Rock. Congratulations on your years of service, Dillwyn!
Miguel "Mike" Botello, member of NALC Branch 181 (Austin), retired after 28 years of service with USPS. Congratulations on your years of service, Miguel!
💐 In Memory
The Texas AFL-CIO mourns the loss of Ted King of El Paso Firefighters Local 51. From the Local: “Ted King dedicated his life to service — both in uniform and in the fire and EMS profession. A proud U.S. Army veteran, he served as a Captain with the White Sands Missile Range Fire Department, an EMS educator with ProAction Emergency Services Institute, and also lent his expertise to Kirtland AFB Fire Department and Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Along the way, he mentored and educated hundreds, if not thousands, of EMS professionals, leaving an undeniable impact on the first responder community.”
SOLIDARITY CORNER: EVENTS & ACTIONS
Federal Workers: Stay Informed
Trump’s attacks on federal workers are moving at a breakneck speed. If you’re an AFGE member or federal worker, you can stay up to date and get critical questions answered at AFGE’s new one stop shop: afge.org/AFGEStrong
Share Your Story with the AFL-CIO
Are you a federal worker affected by Trump’s Executive Orders or Musk’s DOGE? Is your school being targeted by ICE raids? Is your union election on hold while the NLRB hangs in limbo? The national AFL-CIO wants to hear from you! Share your story here so the world can see how the Trump administration’s policies are affecting working people.
Applications Open: Texas AFL-CIO Career-Building Scholarship
Union members: Are you planning on going back to school to build your career? We can help! Apply for our 2025 Career Building Scholarship to receive a $1,500 grant or share with your networks to get the word out. Applications close May 2nd. Details and application HERE.
Friday, Feb. 21 in Austin: Our Texas, Our Power! Rally at the Capitol
Join a broad coalition of Texas advocacy groups this Friday for a day of action, learning, and solidarity as we bring our communities together to show the collective strength of Texas People Power! Details and registration HERE.
Saturday, Feb. 22 in Austin: Save Texas Schools Rally at the Capitol
Join thousands of Texas parents, teachers, students and community members at the Texas Capitol in Austin as we march and rally to support public education! Details and registration HERE.
Sunday, Feb. 23 in Houston: A. Philip Randolph Institute Annual Black History Program
This Sunday, join the Texas A. Philip Randolph Institute at Ceole Speight Union Hall (2506 Sutherland St) in Houston at 2pm for an afternoon exploring “Blacks in Medicine from Africa to America.” Details HERE.
Monday, Feb. 24: AFL-CIO Organizing Apprenticeship Application Opens
Want to become an organizer? Apply for the national AFL-CIO Organizing Institute Organizer Apprenticeship training! Applications open on Feb. 24 for the next training in Washington, D.C. from April 23-25. Details HERE.
Thursday, Feb. 27: Houston Educational Support Personnel Union Black History Program
Join HESP union on Feb. 27 from 11am-1pm at Ceole Speight Union Hall (2506 Sutherland St) in Houston for their Black History Program! Soul food will be served for lunch. Details HERE.
📸 Photos of the Week
Dallas-based nonprofit Mosaic Family Services workers are unionizing with OPEIU Local 277 and received voluntary recognition from management yesterday! Welcome to Texas labor, y’all!
Our Ruth Ellinger Labor Leadership Academy Fellows met with former union organizer and now State Representative Lauren Ashley Simmons during their second class session, where they dove into all things Texas lege and learned about what workers’ issues are at stake during the 89th legislative session.
Did you enjoy this newsletter? Let us know and submit photos, events, and other Texas labor news at labor@texasaflcio.org!