Lone Star Labor: Worker power is on the ballot
The primary runoff is almost here and union members like you could decide who wins.
We’ve already made history this year. Texas workers elected Senator Taylor Rehmet, the first rank-and-file union member ever elected to the Texas Senate.
It’s up to us to keep that momentum going with our union-first candidates!
Marcos Vélez, Assistant Director of United Steelworkers (USW) District 13, is running for Lt. Governor. He’s worked in refineries and fought for safer conditions, fair pay, and stronger benefits. He knows the struggles working Texans face every day.
Montserrat Garibay, former Texas AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer and Member of Education Austin (AFT Local 2048), is running for State House District 49 in Austin. Her journey — from an undocumented child to pre-K teacher, union leader, and senior official in the Biden–Harris Administration — reflects her belief that every Texan deserves a fair shot.
Adrian Reyna, member of San Antonio Alliance (AFT) 67, is running for State House District 125 in San Antonio. As a third-generation public school teacher and union member, he’s ready to take the fight for public schools to the state capitol and make sure that every worker has what they need to thrive.
Colin Allred, member of the NFL Players Association (NFLPA), is running for Congressional District 33 in Dallas. Colin is running for Congress to fight for Texans who work hard and play by the rules but never feel like they can win. He’s fighting for the people who keep Texas running.
Marcos, Montserrat, Adrian, Colin, and all of our labor-endorsed candidates will deliver for Texas workers. They just need our help to win.
Runoff elections are close — a few hundred votes can swing the results. That means the time you put into a block walk, phone bank, or text bank is truly meaningful. Every bit of effort matters.
Early voting runs from Monday, May 18 to Friday, May 22. Election Day is Tuesday, May 26.
Let’s finish what we started. Here’s how you can get involved: mobilize.us/txaflcio
If you’re a union member interested in running for elected office, fill out our Labor Candidate School interest form. We’ll share updates in the coming months so you’ll know when and how to apply for our next Labor Candidate School.
AS GOES TEXAS LABOR…
Austin: May Day brings Austin groups together to call for more worker's rights — KVUE featuring Juany Torres with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 1642
Dallas: May Day Marchers Rally in Downtown Dallas — D Magazine with a photo gallery featuring Starbucks Workers United members and North Texas Area Labor Federation interim President Tevita ‘Uhatafe
Houston: Sindicatos de trabajadores de Houston exigen salarios competitivos y seguridad migratoria — Univision featuring Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Texas members Olga Villegas and Katy Martinez and American Federation of Teachers Local 2415 (Houston) member Vilma Morera
Houston: Spirit Airlines shuts down: What workers should know next — Click2Houston featuring Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA)
San Antonio: May Day Exhibit Celebrates San Antonio’s Labor Organizing History — Deceleration featuring San Antonio AFL-CIO and Texas State Employees Union (TSEU - CWA Local 6186) members Carolynn Ekbaeck and Brian Lopez
San Antonio: National Association of Letter Carriers aims to pull off San Antonio’s largest single-day food drive — San Antonio Current featuring National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC)
San Marcos: Community gathers to honor May Day — The University Star featuring TSEU members Dr. Tom Alter, Idris Robinson, and Saeed Moshfegh
NEWS TO USE
WATCH: A Ball Without Billionaires: Labor is Art — AFL-CIO
In the PR battle for AI data centers, tech giants got a blue-collar ally — Associated Press
Lower-income Americans hit hardest by gas price spike, widening inequalities, study finds — Associated Press
Strength in numbers: what have 50 years of labor union documentaries shown us? — The Guardian
AI & TECH NEWS BITE
Worker-Centered AI Principle #1: Strengthen labor rights and broaden opportunities for collective bargaining
The adoption of new technology in a workplace should be negotiated by labor and management to make sure it makes work better, respects labor rights, minimizes harm to the workforce, and is developed and deployed through genuine labor-management collaboration.
TEXAS LABOR FAMILY NEWS
🏃 ON THE MOVE
Congratulations to the United Association (UA) Local 142 (San Antonio) members who hit membership milestones: Doug Begole (25 years) and Tim Little (40 years).
Congratulations to the Education Austin members who won big at the 2026 H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards. Megan Vasquez won the Elementary Leadership Award, and Alasin DeVeny took home the Elementary Lifetime Achievement Award!
💐 IN MEMORY
Jay Dunn, member of UAW Local 848 (Grand Prairie), passed away on Apr. 26 at the age of 86.
Robert Hand, member of UAW Local 276 (Arlington), passed away on Apr. 23 at the age of 63.
Our hearts go out to their friends and family.
🎂 UNION BIRTHDAYS
Happy 138th birthday to the Machinists Union! They used their birthday to launch a new Workers vs. Billionaires campaign.
📜 THIS WEEK IN TEXAS LABOR HISTORY…
In El Paso on May 9, 1972, 4,000 garment workers, mostly Hispanic, went on strike for union recognition at the Farah Manufacturing Co. The strike ended in 1974 when the workers, represented by Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America (ACWA), won their union. Read more.
SOLIDARITY CORNER: EVENTS & ACTIONS
🚨 TAKE ACTION
SHARE or DONATE to Texas union members: Two members of Mosaic Workers Union were laid off earlier this week. Contributions will help create a safety net as they transition to their next roles. Donate here.
ADD YOUR NAME: Tell Austin ISD to put students and educators first.
Education Austin is fighting against proposed harmful schedule changes and budget cuts. Add your name to show you oppose these threats to the very foundation of student success, teacher retention, and special education compliance. Take action here.
MAKE A CALL: Tell Congress: Do Your Job and Address Skyrocketing Costs Now!
It’s clear Trump and his allies won’t act to fix rising costs. So Congress must act to help the millions of Americans struggling to make ends meet as a result of those actions. Take action here.
📆 EVENTS THIS WEEK
Thursday, May 7 virtually: 👩🏻🏫 AFL-CIO Training - AI: Protecting our Families and our Democracy
Learn the skills to spot election deepfakes and uncover who's behind these tactics. Details.
Saturday, May 9 in Pasadena: 👟 Union Block Walk for Marcos Vélez for Lt. Governor
Join us to knock doors for our labor-endorsed candidate Marcos Vélez. Details.
Saturday, May 9 statewide: 🥫 Stamp Out Hunger with NALC
Join the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) on May 9 for the 2026 Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive! Details.
Monday, May 11 in Austin: 🎤 Testify at the Texas House Public Education Committee meeting
The Committee will be meeting at the Texas Capitol to hear invited and public testimony on the state of education in Texas. Details.
Tuesday, May 12 in Amarillo: 🎤 Amarillo Labor Town Hall
Join us for our next Labor Town Hall to talk about the future of the labor movement and our state. Details.
Tuesday, May 12 virtually: 👩🏻🏫 AFL-CIO training - Canvass Safety and Effectiveness
Learn how to set up an effective labor walk from start to finish. Details.
Tuesday, May 12 virtually: 💻 Livestream - Who's Afraid of Vote-by-Mail?
Join American Postal Workers Union (APWU) President Jonathan Smith for a livestream conversation on the importance of vote-by-mail. Details.
Thursday, May 14 virtually: ☎️ Union Phone Bank for Pro-Worker Primary Runoff Candidates
Join us for a virtual phone bank for our labor-endorsed candidates: Marcos Vélez for Lieutenant Governor and Venton Jones for HD 100. Details.
See all upcoming Texas labor events here.
📝 APPLICATIONS & PROGRAMS
Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation is hiring for a Digital Organizer in Houston. This role provides digital communications, graphic design, data analytics, and comms infrastructure support for multiple Federation programs. Apply here.
📸 PHOTO OF THE WEEK
The Rio Grande Valley Central Labor Council and LUPE brought together workers for their Marcha del Pueblo in Edinburg. It’s undeniable that worker power is growing stronger every day in the RGV!
Photo via Rio Grande Valley Central Labor Council
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