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Lone Star Labor: Workers' Labor Day!

Texas AFL-CIO
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As AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler said in her State of the Unions address this week, “The state of our unions is under attack and fighting back.” 

That couldn’t be any truer in Texas. And we know we’re all feeling it. But whether it’s in the workplace, at the Texas Capitol, or in the streets, our Texas labor movement keeps showing up to fight back. 

That’s why this Labor Day, we’re recommitting to fighting for all workers. Because our unions and our communities are what’s going to beat the billionaires, bosses, and bullies. 

We’re pro-worker, pro-Texas, and pro-union, and we’re not going anywhere. 

This weekend, there are opportunities throughout the state to be with your union brothers and sisters and support Texas labor. We hope to see you there!

Fighting for Workers: Texas Labor Day 2025 Schedule

Friday, Aug. 29

Saturday, Aug. 30

Monday, Sept. 1 

Multiple other Labor Day events are being held across the state. View a map here: https://www.mobilize.us/aflcio/map/ 

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: American Income Life commits to funding Texas labor organizing — American Income Life

Austin: Texas company pleads guilty to 2021 construction worker trench death — NPR

Corpus Christi: We all must fight to save Corpus Christi Army Depot jobs — Caller Times ($), by IAM Local 2916 President Katie Gamez and IAM Union Southern Territory General Vice President Craig Martin

Dallas: Southwest Airlines is talking overseas expansion with employees — Dallas Morning News featuring TWU Local 556 (Dallas) President Kristina Peterson

RGV: Commentary: Farm workers deserve fair pay — myRGV, featuring United Farm Workers organizer Juanita Valdez-Cox

NEWS TO USE

Labor Union Approval Relatively Steady at 68% in U.S. —  Gallup

Extreme heat is deadly for workers and costly for the economy — Economic Policy Institute

Union blasts HHS for stripping CDC, NIOSH staff of bargaining rights — KVUE

White House cancels union contracts for hundreds of thousands of federal workers — The Guardian

'Champing at the bit': Newsom's labor allies plan redistricting ground game — Politico

TEXAS LABOR FAMILY NEWS

🏃 LABOR ON THE MOVE

Join NALC Branch 181 (Austin) in congratulating Lanelle Pieper Balcones who has retired after 36 years of service!

Congratulations to IBEW Local 66 (Pasadena) brother Nathan Anthony, who topped out as journeyman lineman!

Kudos to Jeff Labroski, Community Improvement Committee Chairman for UA Local 68 (Houston)! He assembled a team to help make a local family’s home more comfortable as they endure a severe health crisis. This is the perfect example of how union solidarity benefits the wider community.

💐 IN MEMORY

UA Local 286 in Austin mourns brother Eddie Martinez, who passed away on August 11 at the age of 62. 

UA Local 286 also mourns the passing of brother Billy Schubert, a 28-year member and HVAC Apprenticeship Instructor.

IAFF Local 51 in El Paso mourns brother Robert Lino, who passed away on August 6 at the age of 86.

Our hearts go out to their friends and family.

📜 THIS WEEK IN LABOR HISTORY… 

On August 28, 1963, more than 250,000 people participated in the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. You may know it for Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, but the event was heavily focused on labor, and was the brainchild of two labor leaders: A. Philip Randolph and Bayard Rustin. Read more about labor’s influence on the march.

SOLIDARITY CORNER: EVENTS & ACTIONS

🚨 TAKE ACTION

Donate to support surgery costs 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

TONIGHT, Thursday, Aug. 28 at 6 P.M.: Workers' Labor Day Week of Action Activist Virtual Call
Join AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, union members and leaders, and our community allies for a look at what’s happening across the country this Labor Day in support of working people. Details and registration here.

Friday, Aug. 29 - Sep. 1 across the state: Texas Workers’ Labor Day events
Plan your Labor Day with events across the state! Find the most up-to-date details for affiliated events here. 

Thursday, Sep. 4 in McAllen: American Agitators Screening
Join LUPE, Texas AFL-CIO, and Poder Latinx for a special screening of American Agitators, followed by a panel discussion on organizing. 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.

⛳️ Wednesday, Oct. 8 in Leander: 22nd Annual Texas AFL-CIO • Walter Umphrey Golf Tournament
Support the Texas AFL-CIO Membership Education Fund and the Texas AFL-CIO Scholarship Fund at this Four-Person scramble at the Crystal Falls Golf Course. Details & registration here.

📸 PHOTO OF THE WEEK

La Joya AFT recently had its first monthly meeting with La Joya ISD leaders — making sure members are heard!

La Joya AFT members pose for a group photo

Photo courtesy La Joya AFT

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