Lone Star Labor: We Choose Kids & Teachers Over Billionaires
This past Saturday, the Texas AFL-CIO, Texas American Federation of Teachers (AFT), teachers, public school supporters, and anti-voucher elected officials gathered to unveil a giant banner directly across from the Governor’s Mansion right before he signed the private school voucher scam.
“The governor bought himself a Legislature and it’s our kids and our educators who’ll pay the bill — as always,” said Zeph Capo, president of Texas AFT. “Every laid-off educator and shuttered neighborhood school is Greg Abbott’s handiwork, and the only way back from this self-made disaster is for the millions of Texans who oppose this voucher scam to give him his pink slip at the ballot box.”
Despite signing the voucher scam, NO public school funding package has made it through both chambers of the Legislature. While Texas public schools are laying off educators, closing campuses, and cutting vital services, charter schools and elite private schools stand to cash in from vouchers
Ask your Senator: Where is the public education funding you promised?
Greg Abbott may think he’s won — that he’s finally paid off his campaign donors. But Texas parents, educators, students, and communities will not give up!
AS GOES TEXAS LABOR…
Houston: Federal Employees Protest Trump’s Cuts on Veterans’ Health Care, Benefits — Houston Press, featuring Dianne Singleton, president of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1454
Austin: Slaughter Lane Alamo Drafthouse workers vote to unionize — KVUE, workers at Alamo Drafthouse Slaughter Lane voted to unionize with United Auto Workers (UAW)
DFW: North Texas builders already seeing impacts of Trump administration tariffs — KERA News
El Paso: Border Network for Human Rights holds march, rally in Downtown El Paso — Border Report, featuring the El Paso Central Labor Union (CLU)
Houston: Hospitality Workers Demand Higher Wages as Houston Tourism Booms — Eater, featuring Franchesca Caraballo, president of UNITE HERE Local 23’s Texas chapter
NEWS TO USE
“They Actually Had a List”: ICE Arrests Workers Involved in Landmark Labor Rights Case — The Intercept
Labor Unions Can Counterbalance the Big Tech Oligarchy, But Only If They Rediscover Their Power — Tech Policy Press
AFGE president says downsizing after Trump’s order threatens the union’s survival — AP
TEXAS LABOR FAMILY NEWS
📜 This Week in Labor History…
The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) was chartered on May 9, 1916 by the American Federation of Labor (AFL). Learn more.
🏃 Labor on the Move
Congratulations to these labor union members who won their elections in Nederland on May 3! Jeff Darby, member of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and Texas AFL-CIO Executive Board for District 2, was elected as Mayor, and Britton Jones, member of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 13-423, won for Councilmember in Ward II. Labor wins!
💐 In Memory
Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 277 mourns the tragic passing of our union sister, Nicole Moncrief. As a beloved and passionate member of the IRC Abilene SAS team, she helped refugees get connected to critical services and find a place in the Abilene community.
National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 505 (El Paso) mourns the loss of two retired Letter Carriers:
- Maury Feinstein, 85, beloved husband, brother, father, grandfather, great grandfather and decorated military veteran passed away on March 18.
- Dora Carrillo, a devoted servant, veteran, and beloved member of the El Paso community, passed away on March 25. Dora proudly served in the United States Navy as a Radioman Third Class and retired on October 1, 1993. She continued her commitment to public service through her work with the United States Postal Service until her retirement.
Our hearts go out to their friends and family.
SOLIDARITY CORNER: EVENTS & ACTIONS
🚨 Take Action
Send an email to the Texas Senate and tell them to pass the public school funding package they promised! We can’t let our public schools be forgotten. Time is running out! Email your legislator HERE.
Call your Member of Congress and tell them to co-sponsor the Protect America’s Workforce Act, H.R.2550! All Texas Democrats have co-sponsored the bill. Call your Member HERE.
Donate to support legal representation for a member of International Rescue Committee Workers Unite Texas, OPEIU Local 277 who was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and abruptly ripped away from their home, family, livelihood, and community.
Donate to the AFGE Federal Employee Defense Fund to fund legal action and other strategies to defend American public employees.
Donate to the Support Drafthouse Workers' Strike Fund to help participants of a one-day strike recoup their lost wages.
📆 Events
Friday, May 10: Stamp Out Hunger with NALC
Join the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) on May 10 for the 2025 Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive! Simply leave your donation of nonperishable food in a bag near your mailbox on the second Saturday in May, and your letter carrier will do the rest. Details here.
Tuesday, May 13: SMART Women's Committee webinar on work-life balance
Sheet Metal Air Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) members: Register for the Women’s Committee for a webinar on work-life balance, featuring licensed professional counselor Jamie White! Participants will discuss the concept of work/life balance and learn tools that SMART leaders and members can use to manage a busy life. Details here.
Wednesday, May 14, 21, 28: Labor Notes Race and Labor Online Workshops
Labor Notes is hosting a three-part workshop to build solidarity by exploring how our differences are used to divide us. Registration for this three-part workshop costs from $10 to $25. Details here.
🇺🇸 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
⭐ Texas AFL-CIO 2025 Constitutional Convention: A Labor Movement as Big as Texas!
Registration is open for the Texas AFL-CIO 2025 Constitutional Convention, happening June 26-28 at the Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk.
- Purchase your early registration tickets HERE. Early bird pricing ends on May 23.
- Sponsorship opportunities are available! Details HERE.
📸 Photo of the Week
Teamsters Local 767 members are coming together all week in DFW for their DRIVE Fight Club! They are collecting donations that will be used to push for pro-labor policies and support candidates who truly stand with working people! Photo courtesy Teamsters Local 767
Did you enjoy this newsletter? Sign up now here!