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Texas AFL-CIO Will Temporarily Close Physical Office But Continue Operations |
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The spread of the coronavirus has prompted the Texas AFL-CIO to take the extraordinary step of closing our physical office temporarily, but as our news release on the subject states, that will not stop our work from moving forward. ---- PRESS RELEASE:
"While our officers and staff are healthy, the Texas AFL-CIO is taking the precaution of closing our physical doors temporarily to protect our staff and the public," Texas AFL-CIO President Rick Levy said.
Levy said tenants would continue to have access to Texas AFL-CIO headquarters, but the front door of the building would remain locked. Use of the auditorium will be limited to essential meetings, including those related to the coronavirus.
"We are a people-to-people operation," Levy said, "and this is a difficult call. The state labor federation has maintained good hygiene in our building, but the best expert advice on the pandemic persuades us that these extraordinary measures are necessary to limit the spread and impact of this public health crisis."
"Our advocacy for working families must and will continue without interruption, including, most significantly, the fight to ensure the needs of all working people in Texas are met in these times. We will continue to monitor the public health situation and take further action as warranted."
When the building is closed, media inquiries may be directed to Rick Levy at [email protected], Montserrat Garibay at [email protected] or Ed Sills at [email protected]. |
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Counting in Texas for the U.S. Census Has Begun. Check Your Mailbox |
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Most likely, your mail today or in the next few days will include a postcard asking you and your family to be counted in the 2020 U.S. Census. The sooner you respond, the better it will be for your community and for Texas. The Texas AFL-CIO has joined labor organizations from across the U.S. in endorsing a complete count. The stakes are political: With a full count, Texas stands to gain three congressional seats and the fastest-growing communities stand to gain more voting strength in the U.S. House, Texas Legislature and State Board of Education. Even within cities, your neighborhood could have more clout on Commissioners Court, City Council, school boards and other local bodies. The stakes are financial: Federal formula funding is based in part on the official Census numbers. Texas and your community will get a representative share of federal programs if everyone is counted. This affects, roads, hospitals, schools and other essential institutions. The count needs to list every resident of Texas, and it cannot be emphasized enough that individual information is confidential. There is NO question on citizenship, NO request for your Social Security number, in short NO individual information elicited that will be applied to any other program. |
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Texas AFL-CIO Asks Gov. Abbott to Declare Public Health Emergency Over Coronavirus |
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Also Asks Workforce Commission to Broaden Eligibility for Unemployment Insurance
The Texas AFL-CIO this week asked Gov. Greg Abbott to declare a public health emergency involving COVID-19 to broaden state resources to help sick and healthy Texans alike.
The Texas AFL-CIO also sent a letter asking the Texas Workforce Commission to adjust its rules to make more working people who lose their jobs because of the coronavirus eligible for Unemployment Insurance benefits.
"An emergency declaration gives state agencies clearer discretion to adjust rules and regulations that may inhibit or prevent prompt response to the coronavirus threat," Texas AFL-CIO President Rick Levy said. "For our part, we believe a proclamation could help working families who are navigating the health care system amid increasing prospects of job losses."
In 2009, then-Gov. Rick Perry issued an emergency proclamation amid a swine flu threat (scH1N1). On Wednesday, the Texas AFL-CIO called for state and employer action to address the spread of the coronavirus and its consequences in workplaces across the state. |
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Vote-by-Mail Proposal Gets New Life as Coronavirus Spreads |
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The coronavirus may give new impetus to proposals that would make voting by mail available to a much wider portion of the electorate, Vox reports.
Unions that represent U.S. Postal Service workers have led advocacy for vote-by-mail systems well before the pandemic. The Texas AFL-CIO welcomed the idea as part of a long-standing policy of backing ways to make voting easier.
Some states already have experience with mail voting systems. One potential benefit for Texas: Vote-by-mail would go a long way toward eliminating the kinds of long waits in line that we saw on March 3. |
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Texas AFL-CIO/APALA Host Census Informational |
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The Texas AFL-CIO alongside union constituency group Texas APALA (Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance), hosted an information session for the Census 2020. Several union members were in attendance, having their questions and concerns answered by our Census Fellow, Rimsha Syed. |
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Texas AFL-CIO Highlights Women's History Month, Gears Up for 2020 Women's Summit May 1-2. Registration is OPEN! |
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Over the course of this month, we continue to highlight 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 |
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Song of the Week - "Don't Let Us Get Sick" - Warren Zevon |
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Don't let us get sick Don't let us get old Don't let us get stupid, all right? Just make us be brave And make us play nice |
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Stay Safe And Healthy. |
