|
|
This newsletter is a 9-minute read. |
|
Hi john, here's your weekly Texas labor update: |
ONE BIG THING: TEXANS TAKE ACTION ACROSS THE STATE |
|
Whose state? Our state!
Unions across Texas are leading the way to fight for workers’ rights right now, and making news while they’re at it. Just this week, we saw dozens of actions where workers stood together in solidarity to save jobs and demand respect. Here’s just a bit of the news coverage:
It’s going to take all of us to protect and expand workers’ rights in our state. This isn’t about Democrats vs. Republicans — it’s about workers vs. big corporations and billionaires. And the only way we can win this fight is by standing in solidarity together.
|
|
|
AS GOES TEXAS LABOR... |
|
Beaumont: Beaumont Firefighters Union, City Manager respond to no-confidence vote in department's leadership — 12 News Now
Houston: Teachers' union in Houston concerned after Trump administration laid off half of Department of Education's workforce — ABC 13 Houston
|
|
|
|
NEWS TO USE |
|
New bill in Congress proposes banning all federal unions — The Center Square
Trump to pick union-busting attorney for key labor law position — The American Prospect
Federal workers union sues Trump Administration to preserve TSA contract — The New York Times ($)
United Football League players association files unfair labor practice charges against league — The Athletic
|
|
|
TEXAS LABOR FAMILY NEWS |
|
🏃 Labor on the Move Congratulations to workers at Via 313 North Campus in Austin for successfully unionizing this week with Restaurant Workers United! Workers voted to unionize in October 2022, however the results were never certified due to challenged ballots and unresolved Unfair Labor Practices. In a settlement with Via 313, the company agreed to collectively pay out approximately $50,000 to terminated workers and organizers agreed to rerun the elections. The workers voted 22-16 to unionize.
Congratulations to Leslie Vazquez and Lourdes Martinez, banquet servers at the Levy-George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston and members of Unite Here! Local 23, for winning back pay after the company violated their contract. That’s the union difference!
📜 This Week in Labor History… The Cowboy Strike of 1883 began on Mar. 23. In the Texas Panhandle, 328 cowboys withheld their manual labor from seven major ranches for nearly two months. The cowboys demanded regular pay instead of annual lump sums.
The Coalition of Labor Union Women was founded on Mar. 24, 1974. The CLUW is the only national organization solely for women union members and is one of six constituency groups within the AFL–CIO.
The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in New York City Mar. 25, 1911 was the deadliest industrial disaster in the history of the city, and one of the deadliest in U.S. history. 146 garment workers were killed. |
|
|
SOLIDARITY CORNER: EVENTS & ACTIONS |
|
🚨 Take Action Next week, the Texas Senate could vote on Senate Bill 925 (SB 925), which would prevent local governments from using Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) — an agreement that outlines the rules of the road, including terms of employment, for a specific construction project. We’re urging Texans across the state to send a letter to your state senator NOW. |
|
.png)
|
📆 Events Sunday, Mar. 23: National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Day of Action: “Hell no!” to Dismantling the Postal Service Join NALC members across the state to rally to safeguard the USPS — one of our nation’s most trusted public agencies. Texas events at this time include:
Monday, Mar. 24 in Austin: Workers Defense Lobby Day and Rally Texas is the most dangerous and deadly state for construction workers in the nation. Workers Defense is fighting to change that, but we need your help! The rally will be at the South Steps at 3:45PM – Registration and details HERE.
Wednesday, Mar. 26 in Austin: Infrastructure Academy Launch & Career Fair Join Workforce Solutions Capital Area and partners (including the Texas AFL-CIO) for the official launch of Austin’s Infrastructure Academy. This event will bring together Austin’s mobility and infrastructure employers, training organizations. and community leaders to offer job seekers a path to work on mobility and infrastructure projects in Central Texas. Details HERE.
📝 Applications & Programs:
🇺🇸 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
⭐ Texas AFL-CIO 2025 Constitutional Convention Local unions affiliated with the Texas AFL-CIO should have received registration packets in the mail for the 2025 Constitutional Convention, happening June 26-28 at the Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk.
|
|
|
PHOTO OF THE WEEK |
|
This week, Texas firefighter leaders and union members made the most of Firefighter Day at the state Capitol, raising awareness of pending bills related to public and firefighter safety and state regulation of fire and EMS services. Photo courtesy of the Texas State Association of Fire Fighters. |
|
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
