Lone Star Labor: When They Go Low, We Fight Back
This is a big fight, y’all — and it’s about to get bigger.
To recap: Trump asked Abbott to add five GOP congressional seats so he could likely cling to power after the midterm elections. Abbott obliged, and called a special legislative session focusing on a redistricting scheme — instead of helping Texas flood victims. The redistricting process was halted when Texas House Democrats broke quorum to stop this sham and protect our right to fair representation.
Many of you already know what’s at stake — you showed up at redistricting rallies and testified at hearings. Because of you, Texas labor is leading the fight against this racist redistricting scheme.
But this is bigger than Texas. It’s a fight for our democracy. That’s why our fight is now a National Day of Action.
On Saturday, we’ll be rallying at the Texas Capitol with folks like Dolores Huerta and Beto O’Rourke to demand an end to this Trump takeover. Join us in Austin, or find an event near you. We need everyone to show up and make sure our voices are heard!
Need some inspiration? Watch Texas AFL-CIO President Rick Levy on NewsNation this morning here.
CENTRAL TEXAS FLOOD RESOURCES & HOW TO HELP
We’ve compiled a list of resources and how to help here. Thank you to all of our emergency responders for their continued work.
AS GOES TEXAS LABOR…
Statewide: Back to School: Texas AFL-CIO Announces $30K+ Awarded for College & Career-Building Scholarships in 2025 — Garland Gazette
Beaumont: Starbucks on Dowlen Rd. & Folsom in Beaumont becomes 30th unionized location in Texas — KBMT 12NEWS
Bryan: Concerns rise over possible nurse unionization efforts at St. Joseph in Bryan and College Station — KBTX, featuring National Nurses United
Houston: Workers authorize strike at one of Houston's largest hotels over $23 wage — Houston Chronicle, featuring Franchesca Caraballo, Texas chapter president of UNITE HERE Local 23
San Antonio: Council delays apartment zoning vote over charter school concerns — San Antonio Express-News, featuring Northside American Federation of Teachers President Melina Espiritu-Azocar
National: Groups planning redistricting protests in 20 states — The Hill, featuring Texas AFL-CIO President Rick Levy
NEWS TO USE
Powerful labor coalition backs redrawing California's congressional map in fight with Texas and Trump — Los Angeles Times ($)
Unions Face Crossroads for Heat Protections Absent Federal Rule — Bloomberg Law
Mail Workers Union Leader: The U.S. Postal Service Is Not for Sale | Opinion — Newsweek
VA terminates union contracts, as WH labor actions hit veterans again — Axios
TEXAS LABOR FAMILY NEWS
🏃 LABOR ON THE MOVE
Congratulations to IBEW Local 220 (Fort Worth) and the workers at Siemens who ratified their first collective bargaining agreement! ✊
Congratulations to IBEW Local 278 (Corpus Christi) who ratified a new two-year collective bargaining agreement. Workers will have higher wages and an additional paid holiday under a newly ratified contract! ✊
Join IAFF Local 51 (El Paso) in congratulating sister Joanna Overton on her retirement!
Congratulations to James Leary of IAFF Local 2999 (Duncanville) for his promotion to Assistant Chief!
Solidarity with UNITE HERE Local 23 members and workers at Hilton Americas Houston who have been picketing for fair wages, and just last night, voted with 99.3% in favor of authorizing a strike!
Congratulations to Teamsters Local 767 (Forest Hill) brother Mike "Big Mike" Stewart, who earned the August ‘25 Steward Spotlight! Click to read how Big Mike exemplifies to all what it means to be a Teamster and a steward.
Congratulations to IBEW Local 66 (Pasadena) brother Eduardo Cardoza, who topped out as journeyman lineman!
Godspeed to the Houston Area Plumbing Joint Apprenticeship Committee (HAPJAC) instructors of UA Local 68 (Houston), who are in Ann Arbor, Michigan for the UA Instructor Training Program.
📜 THIS WEEK IN LABOR HISTORY…
Ninety years ago today, the Social Security Act was signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. For generations, it has provided retirement, disability, and unemployment benefits, giving working people the dignity they deserve through every stage of life. Learn more.
SOLIDARITY CORNER: EVENTS & ACTIONS
🚨 TAKE ACTION
Fight the Trump Takeover: 3 ways to take action
- Send a letter to your state representative telling them to reject this corrupt redistricting process! 1,598 letters have been sent so far! Take a minute to add yourself to that total.
- Thank the representatives who broke quorum and are fighting for our rights! 113,406 letters sent — will you help us get to 150,000?
- Join us this Saturday, Aug. 16 for the Fight the Trump Takeover National Day of Action.
Donate to support urgent cancer testing and surgery for Angi DeFelippo, political director for the Tarrant County Central Labor Council. From Angi: “This is one of those moments in life when I truly need my community. Every single contribution, no matter the size, brings me closer to getting this tumor out and getting my life back.” Learn more and donate HERE.
Call your member of Congress and tell them to sign the discharge petition and pass the Protect America’s Workforce Act, H.R. 2550! Call your Member HERE.
Donate to the AFGE Federal Employee Defense Fund to fund legal action and other strategies to defend American public employees.
📆 EVENTS
Friday, Aug. 15 in Austin: Celebrate and Defend Social Security Rally
Join TARA Austin and the Raging Grannies to celebrate Social Security’s 90th birthday and defend Social Security for current and future generations. Details here.
Saturday, Aug. 16 in Austin: Fight the Trump Takeover Rally at the Capitol
Folks from all over the country are coming together in solidarity with Texas to demand lawmakers put people first. Join us in Austin for this National Day of Action! Details HERE.
- All national events will be promoted here: fightthetrumptakeover.com
Saturday, Aug. 16 in Lockhart: Family Fishing Fellowship
Join the Union Sportsmen's Alliance and the San Antonio Building Trades Council for Family Fishing Fellowship. The first 100 children will receive free fishing poles! Details here.
Monday, Aug. 18 in Dallas: AFA PSA Day of Action
AFA-CWA Flight Attendants from PSA are fighting for a fair contract! Join this action and help end the two-tiered system in aviation. Details here.
Friday, Sep. 5 through Sunday, Sep. 7 in Dallas: Texas YALL’s 2025 Hot Labor Summer Summit
Join the Texas Young Active Labor Leaders (YALL) for the 2025 Hot Labor Summer Summit. Any union members 40 years old or younger are welcome to join YALL. Details & registration here.
📝 APPLICATIONS & PROGRAMS
Enter Unions Power America Sweepstakes: Grand Prize of $40,000
This summer, Union Plus is giving away more than $300,000 to celebrate union members. Enter by this Monday, August 18th! For details and sweepstakes entry, visit unionplus.org/laborday.
📸 PHOTO OF THE WEEK
Folks from across the Valley came together at our RGV Town Hall to talk about growing union power, standing up to billionaires, and backing legislators who fight for working Texans.
Stay tuned for the next stops on our Listening Tour so you can join in on the discussion when we drop by a union hall near you.
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