Lone Star Labor: You Can’t Detain a Movement. You Can’t Deport Solidarity
The Texas labor movement stands in firm solidarity with our immigrant brothers and sisters. We won’t let bigots, billionaires, or bullies divide the working class in our state.
In this country, we don’t allow our coworkers, neighbors, or family members to be torn away by masked people. The assaults on our communities must stop!
Donald Trump and Greg Abbott want to silence and intimidate us by sending in armed troops. But you can’t detain a movement. You can’t deport solidarity.
We will continue to fight for justice for all workers, and call on all people of conscience in this state to join us and make your voices heard.
We’re demanding:
- The release of all people unjustly detained and an end to these lawless raids.
- That all immigration proceedings uphold the principles of due process, and that all detainees are guaranteed their rights promised by the constitution.
- That Texans’ right to peacefully assemble and protest is respected, and that safety is prioritized by all parties.
AS GOES TEXAS LABOR…
Austin: Construction camp gives Central Texas students hands-on experience — KVUE featuring IBEW Local 520 and UA Local 286
Austin: Austin City Council passes resolution to work toward installing solar systems on municipal buildings — The Daily Texan featuring Achinthya Sivalingam, deputy director for research and policy at the Texas Climate Jobs Project
San Antonio: ‘Not enough’: San Antonio education leaders react to Texas’ public school funding bill — San Antonio Report featuring Alejandra Lopez, president of the San Antonio Alliance
Statewide: Texas paramedics to get tuition exemptions already provided to firefighters, police thanks to passed bill — KXAN
Statewide: Gov. Greg Abbott to deploy National Guard troops across Texas ahead of protests — Fort Worth Star-Telegram
NEWS TO USE
Trump’s War on OSHA Could Spell the End for Biden-Era Heat Protections — Truthout, featuring Ana Gonzalez, organizing & advocacy director of the Texas AFL-CIO
Labor unions rise up against Trump’s immigration plans after L.A. raids — The Washington Post
Trump Is Expanding His Thuggish War on Union Leaders — The New Republic
The enormous stakes in a new Supreme Court case about Trump’s mass firings — Vox ($)
Education Department pays over $7 million a month to employees forced to sit idle — CNN featuring Sheria Smith, president of AFGE Local 252
TEXAS LABOR FAMILY NEWS
🏃 Labor on the Move
Congratulations to Lonnie Chavez, Brad Zimmerman, and Levi Travis of IBEW Local 66 in Houston, who all topped out to Journeyman Lineman!
Congratulations to Plumbers & Pipefitters (UA) Local Union 286 (Austin) apprentice Luke Jones, who placed third at the District Three Apprenticeship Contest in Louisiana! He competed against apprentice plumbers from 11 states and represented his local and our state well!
Congratulations to Teamsters Local 745 in Dallas who ratified a new four-year collective bargaining agreement with Albertsons!
💐 In Memory
IAFF Local 4964 mourns the passing of Pearland Firefighter Wesley Russell. Our hearts go out to his friends and family.
📜 This Week in Labor History…
On June 10, 1963, President Kennedy signed into law the Equal Pay Act, which aimed to abolish the gender wage gap. In his remarks, he noted, “The average woman worker earns only 60% of the average wage for men.” Learn more.
SOLIDARITY CORNER: EVENTS & ACTIONS
🚨 Take Action
SUPPORT RAIL WORKERS: Send a letter to your U.S. Representative urging them to enforce labor and transportation laws! Right now, freight rail companies are beginning to outsource American railway jobs, hurting union members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET). Send a letter HERE.
Donate to the AFGE Federal Employee Defense Fund to fund legal action and other strategies to defend American public employees.
Donate to support IBEW Local 520 (Austin)’s Yoneixys Escobar, who was seriously injured in a car accident.
📆 Events
Saturday, Jun. 14, statewide: No Kings Day of Defiance
From city blocks to small towns, from courthouse steps to community parks, Americans are taking action to reject authoritarianism—and show the world what democracy really looks like. Find an event near you.
Monday, Jun. 16 in Washington, DC: OSHA public hearing on heat injury & illness prevention proposed rulemaking
The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration will host a virtual public hearing on its proposed rule to protect workers from hazardous heat exposure in indoor and outdoor workplaces. Livestream available here.
Friday, Jun. 20 in McAllen: Fighting Oligarchy Tour featuring Texas Labor Leaders
Doors open at 4:30pm. Free parking is available onsite. RSVP here.
Sunday, Jun. 22 in Amarillo: Fighting Oligarchy Tour featuring Texas Labor Leaders
Doors open at 11:30am. Free parking is available onsite. RSVP here.
Sunday, Jun. 22 in Fort Worth: Fighting Oligarchy Tour featuring Texas Labor Leaders
Doors open at 3:30pm. Paid parking is available onsite and in nearby garages. RSVP here.
Thursday, Jun. 26 to Saturday, Jun. 28 in San Antonio: Texas AFL-CIO 2025 Constitutional Convention
Join us at our Constitutional Convention to hear from Liz Shuler (AFL-CIO), Brent Booker (LiUNA), Everett Kelley (AFGE), April Verrett (SEIU), and many more labor leaders! This year’s theme is “A Labor Movement as Big as Texas!” Register here.
📝 Applications & Programs
The Austin Chapter of National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) 2025-2026 Scholarships. Multiple awards are available. Visit the link for eligibility and to download the application, which is due Friday, July 25.
🇺🇸 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
⭐ New Union Merch
Purchase our newest bumper sticker to share the message: “Workers Over Billionaires”! Get two for your $6 donation to our member education fund. Order yours here.
📸 Photo of the Week
Our affiliate, Teamsters Local 767 in North Texas, held an organizing event on June 2, coming together for a day of solidarity and fun!
Photo courtesy Teamsters Local 767.
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