This newsletter is an 8-minute read.

Hi john, here's your weekly Texas labor update:

Teachers, students, paraprofessionals, and parents are fired up in Austin.

This week, hundreds of Texas educators and supporters with the Texas American Federation of Teachers (Texas AFT) — dubbed the “most aggressive” of teacher groups in Spectrum News in 2022 — gathered at the Texas Capitol during their spring break to lobby for their Educator’s Bill of Rights and say HELL NO to the latest private school voucher scam.

On Tuesday, the Texas House Public Education Committee heard nearly 24 hours of testimony on the private school voucher scam bill — House Bill 3 (HB 3) — with most people testifying against the bill. Taylor Cavin, a member of Education Austin, teacher at Austin ISD, and product of Killeen ISD, was one of those testifying and said: 

“The chronic underfunding of Texas public schools is the root of the manufactured crisis House Bill 3 claims to fix. Vouchers don’t provide choice. They funnel taxpayer dollars to private institutions with no legal responsibility for our most vulnerable students.” 

Here’s the other thing: Nearly ⅔ Texans are opposed to voucher scams in any form, fashion, or dressing. This bill would cut billions from our already underfunded public schools. That’s why workers across our state stand firmly opposed to this scheme.

The voucher bill wasn’t voted out of committee yet, but you can count on Texas labor mobilizing once it does. Stay tuned for more ways to support our Texas public schools.

Dallas: Trump fires 1,300 at Department of Education; programs expected to suffer with staff gutted — MSNBC, featuring AFGE Local 252 President Sheria Smith

Austin: Southwest Airlines closing 2 flight attendant bases — including Austin-Bergstrom International Airport — WFAA, featuring TWU Local 556 President Bill Bernal

Brownsville: RGV AFT, Brownsville Educators Stand Together rally against private school vouchers

Plano: Plano Firefighters Association pushes for new shift schedule: 48 hours on, 96 hours off — FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth

Statewide: Report: Conditions haven't improved much for Texas construction workers over past decade — Austin American-Statesman ($), featuring Workers Defense Project’s new report

What does the U.S. Department of Education do for Texas students? — Dallas Morning News ($)

Texas GOP lawmaker refuses to say school vouchers should be off limits to richest families — San Antonio Current

Trump tries to blow up airport screeners union — Labor Notes 

'An American President is not a king': Judge reinstates labor regulator Gwynne Wilcox illegally fired by Trump — Common Dreams

International labor union says FIFA blocking access to Azteca Stadium for inspection — Houston Chronicle ($)

🏃 Labor on the Move

Lawrence Castillo is now the Rapid Response Coordinator for United Steelworkers (USW) District 13. Congratulations, Lawrence!

Angi DeFilippo, political director at the Tarrant County Central Labor Council, completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science this month. Congrats, Angi! 

Thursday, Mar. 13 in Austin: Austin Citizenship Clinic Information Session #2

Ahead of the Texas AFL-CIO’s Austin Citizenship Clinic on Apr. 12, participants must attend one of four information sessions to learn more about the requirements to apply for U.S. citizenship. Attorneys from American Gateways will be present to answer questions about eligibility. Details HERE.

Friday, Mar. 14 in Dallas: Rally to Save the VA

Bring your signs, your flags, and your energy. Wear your military gear or just rock the red, white, and blue. Let’s come together and show we stand united in our resistance against Trump, DOGE and Elon Musk. Details HERE.

Saturday, Mar. 15 in Houston: Funeral for the Hon. Sylvester Turner

U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner, a former Houston mayor and Texas lawmaker, will lie in state in Houston and Austin ahead of the funeral service this weekend. Details HERE.

Monday, Mar. 17 in Austin: Texas AFT Educators Legislative Advocacy Day (Round 2) 

Join educators, retirees, support professionals, and their families in Austin for Texas AFT's 2025 Public Education Legislative Advocacy Day. Together, we will demand the passage of the Educator's Bill of Rights! Details & bus transportation HERE.

Monday, Mar. 17 in Houston: AFGE Rally to Save the Civil Service 

Join AFGE Local 2284, dynamic labor leaders, and fellow union and coalition family members as we come together to rally to safeguard the civil service and preserve the rights of workers and our benefits. Details HERE.

Tuesday, Mar. 18 in Austin: Firefighter Day at the Capitol

Join the Texas State Association of Fire Fighters for their legislative day at the Capitol, including legislator meetings and an evening reception. Details HERE.

Wednesday, Mar. 19: AFA-CWA Fight Attendants Day of Action

United flight attendants and allies are hitting the picket line at nearly 20 airports around the world to tell United management to get concessions like PBS off the table and deliver the industry-leading contract workers have earned! Texas details:

• Austin: 11AM at ABIA

• Houston: 11AM at George Bush Intercontinental Airport

Thursday, Mar. 20: APWU Hands Off Our Postal Service!

The Postal Service is facing one of the most serious threats in our history. Reports indicate that the new presidential administration is preparing an illegal and hostile takeover of the USPS, threatening the stability of workers’ jobs, workplaces, and the public service they proudly provide. Texas events as of print time include: 

• Dallas: 10AM at Dallas Main Post Office

• Fort Worth: 11AM at John D. Watson Post Office

• Houston: 1PM at North Shepherd Post Office

• San Antonio: 9AM at the San Antonio Processing & Distribution Center

Applications & Programs:

• AFL-CIO Organizing Institute’s Apprenticeship Program, application due Wednesday, Mar. 19.

• Coalition of Black Trade Unionists Leonard C. Ball & James H. Bell Scholarship for undergraduate students, application due Friday, Apr. 11.

• Labor Notes Contest: Songs and Chants for the Strike Line for songwriters, due Saturday, Apr. 12.

• Texas AFL-CIO Career-Building Scholarship for affiliated union members furthering their career, application due Friday, May 2.

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

Hundreds of public school supporters gathered at the Texas Capitol this week, including Rosemary Palomino, a Cy-Fair AFT member and middle school paraprofessional, who spoke at the rally.

“I need an Educator’s Bill of Rights for fair wages — don’t we all? We can’t afford eggs right now! How do we go to the doctor? How, if every time we get a raise, the insurance goes up? We can’t afford it anymore. We’ve got to do something.” [Photo by the Texas AFL-CIO]

Did you enjoy this newsletter? Let us know and submit photos, events, and other Texas labor news to [email protected]!

In Solidarity,

Team Texas AFL-CIO

P.S. We’re hiring! Do you know someone who’d make a good Digital Organizer? See details here.

Texas AFL-CIO

1106 Lavaca St

Austin, TX 78701

Visit us at: texasaflcio.org

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