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Here is your weekly news from the Texas Labor Movement.

Action by Working Families Helps Produce Solid Wins, Noble Losses

The primary elections produced strong results for COPE-endorsed candidates in Democratic primaries. Working families honored the COPE theme of "Rise Up! All In!" often in victory, sometimes in "to be continued" runoffs, and a few times in defeat.

A giant turnout, which dwarfed that of an equally hot presidential primary in 2016, is a good omen for Nov. 3. When the numbers are run, we believe the labor vote and the data on our level of activity on behalf of endorsed candidates will be impressive. Moreover, in many large-county battleground districts, Democrats voted at higher levels than Republicans even as both parties had strong turnouts.

Election Day turnouts in several cities overran the capacities of polling places, creating inexcusable lines. In turn, it took long hours to figure out the fate of candidates in major races. 

If you are looking for patterns, one of them is that in congressional races, Democratic challengers who did well in the harbinger election of 2018 and returned for 2020 were rewarded, either winning nomination or leading the way into runoffs. Base-building can carry over. Another pattern: While COPE-backed incumbents did well, in several cases, when voters believed an incumbent is deserting them on key issues, they sent messages.

Texas's battleground status has motivated a large number of quality candidates. Central Labor Councils and the Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation will consider potential COPE endorsements for the May 26 runoffs or for the Nov. 3 general election in cases where an endorsed candidate lost on Tuesday or, potentially, where no endorsement was made in the first round. As with the initial COPE endorsements, nothing is automatic. If candidates stand with working families, working families will stand with them. Click the link below to see how our endorsed candidates did on Election Day. 

AFL-CIO to Host Presidential Forum Next Week. WATCH LIVE

On your computer or mobile phone, join working families around the nation to watch a livestream of the AFL-CIO Presidential Forum from Orlando, FL. Hear Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden answer questions centered around our working family issues. 

5PM CST - Thursday, March 12th

COVID-19 Outbreak Resources

The United States and the world are facing the very real threat of the widespread transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19). Federal health officials have said the spread of the virus is likely and may cause severe disruptions to everyday life. 

Health care workers, firefighters, police, airline workers, emergency service workers and other first responders will be on the front lines of responding to an outbreak. But as we have seen with the initial response to the virus on our nation’s shores, our health care workers and first responders do not have the necessary resources and equipment or adequate training and communication available to protect them from contracting, and spreading, this virus. 

The COVID-19 coronavirus isn’t the first time our nation has faced the threat of a pandemic outbreak. In the past two decades alone, we have seen deadly viruses such as SARS, Ebola, swine flu (H1N1) and avian flu (H5N1)  pose the real threat of causing a national health emergency. And each emerging public health threat revealed a woefully unprepared health care system unable to adequately address these threats by reducing the risk of exposure to the general public and giving proper protection, resources and training to workers on the front lines.

The labor movement has long advocated for increased federal, state and local funding needed to restore the public health infrastructure and to respond to public health emergencies, and the comprehensive, enforceable standards necessary to ensure all workers on the front line of an outbreak are protected from infectious disease agents so they can provide the vital services, treatment and care the public depends on.

The AFL-CIO is working with our affiliates to immediately develop and disseminate educational, training and logistical resources and recommendations and the most up-to-date materials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the World Health Organization, research experts and others about the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak.

Organizing Win: Workers Speak Up Together Through Teamsters Local 988 at Janissary LLC in Houston

The Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation alerts us to an organizing win. Hat tip to the Teamsters!:

  Congratulations to Teamsters Local 988 on their organizing victory! In February, Teamsters Local 988 was certified as the bargaining representative for the employees at Janissary, LLC headquartered in Houston, Texas.

Texas AFL-CIO/APALA to Host Census 2020 Information Session

The Texas AFL-CIO alongside union constituency group Texas APALA (Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance), will host a general information session next week at our downtown headquarters. The presentation will include a variety of community engagement resources along with Q&A on general concerns. Don't miss out. Sign Up Below: 

Henry Cuellar Prevailed Against Progressive Insurgency, But He Didn’t Go Unscathed

The Texas Observer take on the Congressional District 28 contest in which COPE-endorsed challenger Jessica Cisneros produced "a much closer call than expected" includes a quotation from Texas AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Montserrat Garibay, who was part of some truly whirlwind Laredo block-walking in the last 48 hours of the campaign.

"The challenge also allowed the litany of groups he’s pissed off over the years to air their grievances—most notably the labor unions Cuellar has often voted against. The Texas AFL-CIO endorsed Cisneros, the first time the labor federation openly opposed an incumbent in at least 25 years. Cuellar most recently drew the ire of unions—including members who live in his district—by voting against the PRO Act, a union-backed overhaul of the country’s labor laws. “When [San Antonio union members] saw the PRO Act vote, they were pissed,” said Montserrat Garibay, the Texas AFL-CIO secretary-treasurer. The state labor federation was part of a group of unions that pumped $350,000 in the district and carried out intensive canvassing in Bexar County. That, Garibay said, should be a clear message to Cuellar. "

Texas AFL-CIO Highlights Women's History Month, Gears Up for 2020 Women's Summit May 1-2. Registration is OPEN! 

Over the course of this month, we are highlighting the women who power our movement. Follow us on social media as we continue to post dynamic quotes from women who are integral in organizing this year's Texas AFL-CIO Women's Summit - May 1-2, Austin, TX

Song of the Week - "Sowing the Seeds of Love" - Tears for Fears

High time, we made a stand 

And shook up the views of the common man.

Politician with your high ideals 

Have you no idea how the majority feels?

So without love and a promised land

We're fools to the rules of a government plan

Have A Great Weekend...After All, We Fought For It.