Lone Star Labor: We’re just 9 DAYS AWAY from our 2026 COPE Convention
Every two years, union delegates come together at our Committee on Political Education (COPE) Convention to talk strategy for building political power and vote on which candidates we’ll endorse in the 2026 midterm elections. We’ll also hear from national leaders about how workers can win together in our fight against billionaires, including:
SEIU California and SEIU-USWW President David Huerta, whose immigrant rights advocacy has built a powerful, more inclusive California labor movement. In June 2025, Huerta was arrested and injured while standing up for immigrant rights during an ICE raid targeting garment workers. He’s been charged and is still awaiting trial.
"I look forward to presenting my case and being exonerated. I will continue to stand with you until every worker and every family is safe from raids, separation and fear, and our constitutional rights are protected," said Huerta.
U.S. Representative Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07), who has dedicated her life to fighting for public education. She started her political career on her local school board. There, she led the successful effort to significantly expand pre-school availability, fiercely defended Mexican-American Studies and bilingual curriculum from attacks by the Arizona State Legislature, and advocated for investments in public schools in historically overlooked communities.
Last year after winning her election to the U.S. House, Grijalva fought to be sworn in after seven weeks of delay, the longest in congressional history.
NewsGuild-CWA President Jon Schleuss, whose leadership at the intersection of journalism and the labor movement fights for a free press that demands accountability.
Schleuss grew up in rural Arkansas, and was part of the group that organized the Los Angeles Times in 2018. As journalists fight corporate consolidation in Texas, Schleuss and the NewsGuild are a beacon of hope.
By coming together as a labor movement, we keep our communities together, build political power, and make sure working families have what they need to thrive.
We’ll see you in Georgetown Jan. 24-25.
AS GOES TEXAS LABOR…
Statewide: US Senate candidates Jasmine Crockett and James Talarico to debate later in January — KXAN featuring Texas AFL-CIO President Leonard Aguilar
Statewide: Texas has leverage with data centers. It’s time we used it. — Austin American-Statesman ($) by Texas State Building and Construction Trades Council Executive Director Ryan Pollock
Statewide: Texas continues to fail workers earning minimum wage — San Antonio Express News (Opinion) featuring UNITE HERE! Local 23 Secretary-Treasurer Willy Gonzalez
Beaumont: Firefighters raise alarm over cancer risks at Beaumont station — Beaumont Enterprise ($) featuring International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) Local 399 President Jeff Nesom
San Marcos: Revived San Marcos $1.5B data center project receives path to approval — Austin American-Statesman featuring Laborers International Union North America (LiUNA) Midwest Region International Representative Randall Harris
NEWS TO USE
How Vets in Labor Have Joined the Fight Against Trump — Labor Notes featuring Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 6251 Executive Vice-President David Marshall and CWA Local 251 member Britni Cuington
Union leaders accuse Trump administration of ‘shift toward white supremacy’ with online posts — The Guardian
TSA union opposes second Trump admin attempt to cancel labor agreement — Courthouse News Service
Sources: WNBA, WNBPA agree to moratorium on league business — ESPN
TEXAS LABOR FAMILY NEWS
🏃 LABOR ON THE MOVE
NEW ORGANIZING ✊ More than 200 workers at a new Siemens facility in Fort Worth have joined International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 220.
NEW ORGANIZING ✊ Climate Pros workers in Mesquite have joined United Association (UA) Local 100.
Congratulations to recently elected Texas Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW) President Pauline Mims and Vice President Britni Cuington!
Congratulations to brother John Leggett, who recently celebrated his 35th year as a member of UA Local 286 (Austin).
Congratulations to brothers Brian Ducasse and Bo Bergfeld, who topped out to the classification of journeyman linemen with IBEW Local 66 (Houston).
Shout out to the Rio Grande Valley Central Labor Council (RGV CLC) for starting 2026 with a refreshed logo and color palette.
Start making plans to see this new mural at IBEW Local 278 (Corpus Christi) once it’s completed!
💐 IN MEMORY
NEW ORGANIZING ✊ Workers at Comanche Electric Coop Association have joined International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 220 (Fort Worth).
NEW ORGANIZING ✊ Workers at V2X, Inc. in Fort Worth have joined International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers (IAM).
Shout out to International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 624 (San Antonio), who raised and donated $30,000 to the ThriveWell Cancer Foundation.
Congratulations to brother Austin Guirmont, who topped out to the classification of journeyman linemen with IBEW Local 66 (Houston).
Congratulations to brother Isaac Perez, the very first member of IBEW 66 to top out to the classification of journeyman Substation Tech.
Congratulations to the 114 apprentices of United Association (UA) Local 68 who were sworn in and took their first steps to a life-changing union career. Welcome to the labor family!
Congratulations to the first graduating class of UA Local 211’s Pre-Apprenticeship Program at the Harlingen Training Center!
💐 IN MEMORY
Linton S. Cowart Jr., retired, 35-year member of UA Local 211 in Houston, passed away on Dec. 24 at the age of 87.
Our hearts go out to his friends and family.
SOLIDARITY CORNER: EVENTS & ACTIONS
🚨 TAKE ACTION
- SIGN: Tell Hearst to respect Austin's local news! The journalists at the Austin American-Statesmen are fighting for a contract that guarantees improved wages, safety, job security, and guardrails for the use of artificial intelligence. Take action here.
- CALL: Tell the Senate to Pass the Protect America’s Workforce Act! We need every senator—Republican, Democrat, and independent—who says they support America’s unions to vote for the Protect America’s Workforce Act and restore federal workers’ union rights. Take action here.
📆 EVENTS THIS WEEK
Friday, Jan. 16 virtually: Making Maps for Political Planning
An in-depth training on how to make maps for political planning ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Details here.
Saturday, Jan. 17 in Fort Worth: Fort Worth Union Block Walk for Taylor Rehmet
Join the Texas AFL-CIO, Tarrant County Central Labor Council, and United Steelworkers (USW) District 13 to knock doors for our labor-endorsed candidate: Taylor Rehmet for Texas Senate District 9! Details here.
Monday, Jan. 19 in Houston: MLK Unity Parade with the Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation
Join the Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation for Houston's first MLK Unity Parade honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Details here.
Wednesday, Jan. 21 in select Texas cities and legislative districts: First Day of Early Voting
Texas' next Election Day is on January 31. Early voting for this election begins January 21st and runs through January 27th! Details here.
Wednesday, Jan. 21 virtually: Union Phone Bank: Taylor Rehmet for Texas Senate
Join the Texas AFL-CIO and Tarrant County Central Labor Council for a virtual phone bank for our labor-endorsed candidate: Taylor Rehmet for Texas Senate District 9! Details here.
Wednesday, Jan. 21 virtually: Know Your Rights: Constitutional Protections and Immigration Enforcement
This session will cover the rights and protections we all have when interacting with law enforcement, including immigration agents, so we’re prepared to exercise our constitutional rights at home, at work, and in the community. Details here.
Saturday, Jan. 24 to Sunday, Jan. 25 in Georgetown: Texas AFL-CIO 2026 COPE Convention
Every two years, we come together to induct Texas labor legends into our Hall of Fame, vote on statewide endorsements, and set our strategy for the 2026 elections! Register at texasaflcioconvention.org
📆 PLAN AHEAD
Feb. 21 in Cedar Creek: The Bigger Broader Bolder Bash
Join the Texas AFL-CIO for our inaugural Texas AFL-CIO Bigger Broader Bolder Bash to celebrate retired President Rick Levy’s years of commitment to the Texas labor movement! Details here.
See all upcoming Texas labor events here.
📝 APPLICATIONS & PROGRAMS
DUE Jan. 31: 2026 Texas AFL-CIO High School Scholarship applications Each year, the Texas AFL-CIO awards dozens of scholarships to Texas high school seniors, as well as to members or children of members of affiliated local unions. Applications are due Jan. 31. Learn more and apply here.
The newly formed North Texas Area Labor Federation (NTxALF) is hiring its first Executive Director! This key leadership role will build regional labor power among 40,000 union members and support affiliates across 11 counties. Details here.
Texas American Federation of Teachers (Texas AFT) is hiring for a State Affiliate Political Organizer (SAPO) in Austin to bridge the national AFT union’s political/legislative agenda with the state affiliate’s political and mobilization work. Details here.
Texas American Federation of Teachers (Texas AFT) is hiring for a Director of Strategic Campaigns in Austin to act as the senior architect for narrative, power-building, and electoral impact. Details here.
Texas Young Active Labor Leaders (YALL) is seeking 2026 State Officers Self-Nominations! If you are a union member less than 40 years of age, consider nominating yourself to serve as a Texas YALL officer! Details here.
📸 PHOTO OF THE WEEK
On Friday, Jan. 9, San Antonio labor leaders and community members came together to celebrate the newly elected executive board of the San Antonio AFL-CIO.
Photo via San Antonio AFL-CIO
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