Here is your weekly news from the Texas labor movement.
Levy, Garibay Re-Elected to Top Texas AFL-CIO Offices
Signaling a "bigger, broader, bolder" agenda for Texas working families, Texas AFL-CIO delegates re-elected Rick Levy as President and Montserrat Garibay as Secretary-Treasurer.
The election to four-year terms took place by acclamation during a three-day 60th Texas AFL-CIO Convention held at the unionized Hyatt Regency Hotel in San Antonio.
"Texas is not an anti-union state," Levy said. "Texas is an unorganized state. In an era of historic-level income inequality and constant billionaire-led attacks on the ability of working families to speak up together, the state labor federation has a bigger, broader, bolder agenda to build power for working families. Our Fair Shot agenda is right for working people, right for Texas and long overdue."
Protect Union Apprenticeships - Send a Letter
You can deliver a comment in support of registered apprenticeship programs that prepare young workers for a solid middle-class career and not the watered-down learning programs that usher workers into positions of responsibility before they are ready.
North America's Building Trades Unions' (NABTU) world-class registered apprenticeship programs train U.S. workers to become highly-skilled, six-figure earning construction workers through a debt-free, technologically-advanced education. These earn-as-you-learn programs pay family-sustaining wages and provide health care coverage and retirement benefits. These programs also ensure the workers rebuilding our infrastructure have the highest level of training, keeping our communities and families safe. However, these programs and our future is at risk. A new proposal by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) could drive down training and labor standards in construction registered apprenticeship programs and set off a race to the bottom throughout our industry. And we have a month to stop it.
'One Job Should Be Enough': UNITE HERE to Lead Large Labor Protest to Improve Conditions for Catering Workers
UNITE HERE catering workers at American Airlines will hold a major demonstration 8 a.m.-noon Tuesday, Aug. 13 at company headquarters in a quest for a living wage and improved benefits.
This has the feel of a big one.
Via Labor Community Organizer Kara Sheehan, with a link to sign up:
What: UNITE HERE Local 23 Airline Catering Workers mobilize at American Airlines' biggest hub
Where: American Airlines Headquarters (new HQ - we will be meeting at a nearby park or parking lot where we will start the rally - we will send the address out soon)
When: Tuesday, August 13 from 8am-12pm
Who: UNITE HERE members who prepare and load the food served on American Airlines planes in Dallas will be the larger Texas labor community. Working families, faith leaders and community groups will join these workers in solidarity in their fight that One Job Should Be Enough.
Why: American Airlines made over $15 Billion in combined profits in just the past 5 years alone. As American Airlines, which also paid no federal income tax for the last 4 years, opens its $350+ million new headquarters campus in Dallas, UNITE HERE members who prepare and load food and beverages onto American Airlines planes at DFW are often left living in poverty and unable to afford healthcare.
As American Airlines continues to expand at DFW, where 30% of its profit comes from-about $1.3 billion, workers are falling further and further behind, as they are around the country. Workers often have to work overtime, or double shifts, or take second jobs, just to try to survive.
At DFW, for example, the lowest wage at that kitchen is $9.85/hour and half the workers earn $11.35 an hour or less, even after 5, 6, 7, or even 8 years. One of the worker leaders, Leticia Gomez, has worked there for 22 years and earns only $12.71/hour.
Please join us on August 13th!
UNITE HERE invites community allies and union leaders to join airline food workers in their fight for a living wage and decent health insurance. We'd like to invite you to stand with the catering workers in Dallas-Fort Worth on Tuesday August 13th at the American Airlines headquarters. Email [email protected] with any questions! We are coordinating rides. Please sign up here: https://forms.gle/ZVDY8QhMTpbSRNxN8
14 Resolutions Approved at Constitutional Convention
Delegates to the Texas AFL-CIO Constitutional Convention approved 14 resolutions on an array of topics that affect working families, endorsing Medicare for All (and the Healthy Texas Act), a federal environmental policy that creates good jobs, and solidarity support for AFGE and postal union employees who are under fire from the White House.
Along the lines of Texas AFL-CIO operations, the Convention authorized creation of a Texas AFL-CIO Veterans Committee that will address labor issues that are of particular concern to those who have served in the armed forces. Delegates also formally designated Texas Young Active Labor Leaders as a Texas AFL-CIO constituency group.
It's Real! Dallas Paid Sick Leave Ordinance Is in Effect, Helping Tens of Thousands of Low-Wage Workers
Victory for working families! The Dallas earned paid sick leave ordinance took effect yesterday, becoming the first local law in the South to deliver - at least for now - a fundamental benefit to tens of thousands of private-sector workers who did not have it.
Last we checked, the City of Dallas is still standing.
The Texas Public Policy Foundation is making a bogus argument against the ordinance in federal court, rather than take the bogus state court paths that have temporarily halted enactment of similar ordinances in Austin and San Antonio. Some judges in Texas (including a couple of ex-judges who lost their seats in the 2018 elections) have argued that the contingent benefit of sick leave, which many workers may never need to use, is really a "wage" that violates a ban on local increases in the state minimum wage. Hence, my use of the term "bogus."
The legal fight continues. Today, however, is a banner day. The Texas AFL-CIO is a proud member of a progressive coalition that is pursuing paid sick leave ordinances and defending them.
Apply Now to Ruth Ellinger Labor Leaders School! Applications Due Aug. 15th
A one year training, skills-building and leadership development course managed by the Texas AFL-CIO – in partnership with affiliate unions, local unions and Central Labor Bodies – to help grow and support the next generation of union leaders in Texas. The program is open to union members who live and work in Texas who are nominated by their Local, International, or Central Labor Body.
Each applicant must commit to participating in the school for one year, including 5 weekend/weekday trips for trainings and at-home assignments in between trainings.
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