Lone Star Labor: Your vote can decide this runoff election
Early voting for the primary runoff election is HAPPENING NOW and runs through TOMORROW, Friday, May 22.
Voting early means shorter lines and you can vote when it fits your schedule. Here are some tips to help you vote in this election:
- Check that you’re registered to vote. You can verify your status at VoteTexas.gov. If you’re not registered, the voter registration deadline has passed for this election. Visit votetexas.gov/register-to-vote to register for the November general election.
- Know which primary you’ll vote in. If you didn’t vote in March, you’ll be able to choose to vote in either the Republican or Democratic runoff. If you voted in March, you’ll vote in that same party’s runoff.
- Preview your ballot. Visit www.vote411.org/ballot, enter your address, then select your language and party. You’ll see a list of races and can click through to view the candidates.
- Research the candidates. View our 2026 Primary Runoff Endorsements. These labor-endorsed candidates have shown they are ready to fight for better wages, fully funding public schools, and lower health care costs. They have the backs of working people, and Texas labor has their backs in the primary runoffs.
- Find your polling place and make a plan to vote! Check your county’s election website to find your nearest polling place. Make sure you bring an acceptable form of photo ID. View the list at votetexas.gov/voting/need-id.html
- Spread the word! Tell your friends and family how easy it was, and help them make a plan to vote! Then, help get out the union vote TODAY! Sign up for tonight’s virtual Union Phone Bank..
Runoff elections usually have low turnout, which gives every vote more power. If union members and working families vote in high numbers, we will decide the outcome.
If you can’t make it to the polls by Friday, Election Day is Tuesday, May 26. We’ll see you at the polls!
AS GOES TEXAS LABOR…
Austin: Transit union taking steps to get CapMetro to meet demands as negotiations for new contract continue — KVUE featuring Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1019 president Brent Payne
Austin: Teachers union hoping Austin ISD uses extra time to minimize budget impacts to staff — KVUE featuring Education Austin President Ken Zarifis
Houston: Stadium and hospitality workers demand better wages ahead of Houston World Cup events — KHOU featuring UNITE HERE Local 23 Organizer Franchesca Caraballo
Houston: Union housekeepers at George R. Brown Convention Center ratify 'life changing' contract — Houston Chronicle featuring Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Texas President Elsa Flores
Houston: How a married 24-year-old electrician's apprentice making $1,100 a week affords life in Houston — featuring International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 716 (Houston) apprentice J. Antonio Ortiz
NEWS TO USE
US employers spend more than $1.5bn a year to fight labor unions, report finds — The Guardian
AFL-CIO Applauds International Court Ruling Protecting the Right to Strike — AFL-CIO
UN human-rights experts urge Starbucks and US to address union-busting claims — Reuters
Inside one labor union’s push to make AI improve work — not replace it — Technical.ly
AI & TECH NEWS BITE
Worker-Centered AI Principle #2: Advance guardrails against harmful uses of AI in the workplace
Workers deserve to know what data is being collected about them and how it’s being used, with clear consent and opt-in requirements. AI systems must be tested before and during use to reduce dangers and dangerous directives that harm workers and the public.
TEXAS LABOR FAMILY NEWS
🏃 ON THE MOVE
NEW ORGANIZING ✊ Workers at Starbucks in Austin have voted to unionize with Starbucks Workers United.
NEW ORGANIZING ✊ Linemen at Tri-county Electrical Cooperative have voted yes to union representation by the IBEW Local 220 (Fort Worth).
Congratulations to brother Gary Moore of United Association (UA) Local 286 (Austin), who received his 40-year membership certificate and pin.
Congratulations to brothers Miguel Diosdado Jr and Gavin Ketterer of IBEW Local 66 (Houston), who both topped out to the classification of journeyman lineman.
💐 IN MEMORY
Ervin McNees, a 35-year member of International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Lone Star District Lodge (LSDL Boilermakers) (La Marque) passed away on May 8 at the age of 91.
Our hearts go out to his friends and family.
SOLIDARITY CORNER: EVENTS & ACTIONS
🚨 TAKE ACTION
CALL YOUR MEMBER OF CONGRESS: Tell Congress: No Blank Checks for ICE! It’s time for Congress to do their job and refuse to use taxpayer dollars to fund agencies that are accountable to no one. Workers want affordability and stability, not fear and chaos! Take action here.
ADD YOUR NAME: Tell Hearst: Keep Texas news written by Texans! Hearst Media has bought up dozens of local newspapers across the state and now owns the four largest newspapers in Texas. We need to make sure that our local news and journalists’ jobs are protected! Take action here.
DELETE THE STARBUCKS APP: Stand with Starbucks Workers United! Union baristas are calling on Starbucks customers to #DeleteTheApp to show Starbucks that you stand with baristas, not billion-dollar companies. Take action here.
📆 EVENTS THIS WEEK
TODAY Thursday, May 21 virtually: ☎️ Union Phone Bank
Join us for a virtual phone bank for our labor-endorsed candidates: Marcos Vélez for Lieutenant Governor, Montserrat Garibay for HD 49, Venton Jones for HD 100, and Adrian Reyna for HD 125 Lawrence Allen for HD 131, and Darlene Breaux for HD 149. Details.
TODAY Thursday, May 21 virtually: 👩🏻🏫 AFL-CIO Training - Frontline Solidarity: Immigration Tools for Organizers and Activists
Learn to navigate the escalating attacks on immigrant workers and discuss resources available for unions and organizers. Details.
TOMORROW Friday, May 22 statewide: 🗳️ Last day of Early Voting - Primary Runoff
Early voting ends on this day. Election Day is Tuesday, May 26. Details.
Sunday, May 24 in Houston: 📢 Houston Rising: Workers' Rally
Join UNITE HERE Local 23, your neighbors, workers, and community leaders as we raise our voices and call for real change. Details.
Tuesday, May 26 statewide: 🗳️ Election Day - Primary Runoff
Review our primary runoff election endorsements and make a plan to vote. If you voted early, talk to your friends and family about making a plan to vote. Details.
Tuesday, May 26 in Houston: 📢 Testify at the Harris Center Board Meeting
Join United Workers of Harris Center at the next Harris Center Board of Trustees meeting to call for a transparent, public process to choose the next CEO. Details.
See all upcoming Texas labor events here.
📆 APPLICATIONS & PROGRAMS
Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) is hiring for a Labor Relations Counsel based in Dallas–Ft. Worth (Euless). This role provides assistance to pilot governing bodies and individual members on all subjects that affect their employment. Apply here.
American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) is hiring for a Field Legislative & Political Action Organizer based in Texas. This role is responsible for developing and implementing national and grassroots lobbying strategies/campaigns, issue mobilization campaigns, federal election strategies, and membership recruitment. Apply here.
Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation, AFL-CIO Apprenticeship Advantage Program (AAP) is hiring for a Workforce Development Programs Director in Houston. This role serves as the operational and strategic lead of the AAP. Apply here.
Enter the Union Plus Unions Power America Hometown Heroes Contest: Grand Prize of $40,000 and a trip to New York
In honor of their 40th anniversary, Union Plus is giving away more than $150,000 in prizes to union members. Enter by June 17. For details and sweepstakes entry, visit unionplus.org/laborday.
📸 PHOTO OF THE WEEK
Stadium concessions workers and UNITE HERE Local 23 members rallied outside of Shell Stadium in Houston to say "ONE JOB SHOULD BE ENOUGH!"
Photo via UNITE HERE Local 23
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