This newsletter is a 5.5-minute read.

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

Early voting is underway NOW and runs through Friday, October 31. Election Day is November 4, but you don’t have to wait until then to make your voice heard!

Early voting means shorter lines, and you can vote when it fits into your schedule. Here are some tips to help you vote in this election:

• Check that you’re registered to vote. You can verify your status at VoteTexas.gov. If you’re not registered, unfortunately, Oct. 6 was the deadline for voter registration for this election. Visit votetexas.gov/register-to-vote/ to get the voter registration process started — we’ll get ‘em next time.

• Preview what you’ll see on your ballot. Visit www.vote411.org/ballot, enter your address, and you’ll get a list of the items you’ll be voting on. Click through to read descriptions of the ballot measures, select and save your choices, and print out your list to use as a guide when at your polling place.

• Research, research, research! If you’re unsure about those 17 constitutional amendments, we recommend checking out these summaries from the Texas Legislative Study Group.

• Find your polling place and make a plan to vote! Check your county’s election website to find the most convenient location and see when it’s open.

• Go vote! Make sure you bring an acceptable form of photo ID. View the list at votetexas.gov/voting/need-id.html

• Tell your friends and family how easy it was, and help them make a plan to vote!

See you at the polls!

AS GOES TEXAS LABOR…

Watch #NoKings speeches by union leaders from across the state:

• Austin: Derrick Osobase, CWA District 6 vice president

• Dallas: David Marshall, CWA Local 6215 executive vice president

• Houston: Linda Morales, Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation Organizing Director

• Pearland: Zeph Capo, Texas AFT president 

• Thank you to our many other speakers, tablers, and volunteers across the state! 

Corpus Christi: Trouble in our schools — KRIS 6 News featuring Corpus Christi American Federation of Teachers President Dr. Nancy Vera

Houston: “Tenemos derecho de estar aquí”: jornada ‘No Kings’ en Houston, en favor de los inmigrantes — Univision Houston featuring SEIU Texas President Elsa Flores

Houston: How the Hilton-Americas 40-day hotel strike may change Texas labor history, and what it means for Houston — Houston Chronicle featuring UNITE HERE Local 23 and Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation Executive Director Hany Khalil

Statewide: Shutdown affects air traffic controllers across Texas — Spectrum News

Iron Workers Union General President Eric Dean has announced his retirement at the end of 2025. A strong ally to Texas labor, General President Dean’s leadership has left a lasting mark on our movement. The Texas AFL-CIO thanks him for his service and wishes him well in the years ahead.

Judge to Broaden Order Blocking Many Layoffs as Trump Seeks More Cuts — New York Times

How are unions pushing back against Trump’s attacks on labor and layoffs?  — The Guardian

Expiring ACA Premium Tax Credits Could Lead to Nearly 340,000 Jobs Lost Across the U.S. in 2026 —  The Commonwealth Fund

🏃 LABOR ON THE MOVE

Congratulations to UA Local 286 (Austin) Business Manager and Financial Secretary-Treasurer Robert “Chap” Thornton, who was recently honored as Industry Person of the Year by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO)!

Join Teamsters Local 767 (Forest Hill) in congratulating brother Mark Beavers on his retirement after 30 years of service!

Congratulations to the Texas State Association of Fire Fighters, who recently surpassed 20,000 firefighter members for the first time! ✊

💐 IN MEMORY

IAFF Local 51 in El Paso mourns the passing of brother Arturo Garcia, who passed away at the age of 70.

Pipefitters Local 211 in Houston mourns the passing of brother Larry D. Laughlin, who passed away at the age of 82.

We mourn the loss of Steve Marks, a Houston postal worker killed while delivering mail.

Our hearts go out to their friends and family.

📜 THIS WEEK IN LABOR HISTORY…

On this day in 1989, 23 people were killed and 130 were injured at the Phillips 66 Chemical Complex in Pasadena.

At the time, one Oil, Chemical & Atomic Workers Union (OCAW) said, “contracting out of maintenance work, elimination of relief crews, excessive overtime, and paring of staff to the ‘bare bones’ set the stage for an explosion that was waiting to happen.” Learn more.

🚨 TAKE ACTION

Tell Congress to stop the Trump shutdown! The federal government has shut down because the Trump administration chose chaos and pain over responsible governing. Take two minutes to tell Congress to fund the government and put working people first. Take action here.

Tell Greg Abbott: Hands Off Our Freedom of Speech! Greg Abbott is calling for the firing of educators for opinions shared on their personal social media accounts. Take 2 minutes to tell him you won’t stand for this authoritarianism! Take action here.

📆 EVENTS THIS WEEK

TODAY, Thursday, Oct. 23 virtually: Affiliation Strategies

Learn strategies for building affiliation at AFL-CIO State Federations, Labor Councils, and Area Labor Federations. Details here.

Friday, Oct. 24 statewide: Vote by mail applications due

Applications to vote by mail must be received by the early voting clerk on this day. Details here.

Friday, Oct. 24 virtually: Union Text Bank: Houston City Council At-Large 4 & ISD Races

Join this virtual text bank to GOTV for labor-endorsed candidates for City Council At-Large 4, HISD, CY-Fair ISD, and Aldine ISD races. Multiple shifts available. Details here.

Saturday, Oct. 25 in Fort Worth: Union Block Walk: Taylor Rehmet for Texas SD 9

Join the Texas AFL-CIO and Tarrant County Central Labor Council to knock doors for our labor-endorsed candidate: Taylor Rehmet for Texas Senate District 9! Details here.

Saturday, Oct. 25 in San Antonio: Women’s Dove Hunt

Join SMART Local 67 for a Women's Dove Hunt. This fun day in the field will bring together tradeswomen to build strong relationships, break barriers, and build power! Details here.

Saturday, Oct. 25 in Sandy Creek: Sandy Creek: Volunteer Cleanup Day

Join FUND TEXAS FOREVER and LiUNA Local 1095 to support flood-impacted families as they rebuild their homes damaged and destroyed by the July 5th floods.. Details here.

Saturday, Oct. 25 in El Paso: Citizenship Clinic

Participants must have the documents needed to complete the N-400 application for naturalization that were reviewed at one of the required info sessions. Details here.

Saturday, Oct. 25 in Houston: Together We Decide: Voter Education Event

Learn about the Statewide propositions on the November ballot and what they mean for Texas voters. Details here.

Saturday, Oct. 25 in Houston: Union Block Walk: Houston City Council At-Large 4 & HISD Trustee

Join the Gulf Coast AFL-CIO to block walk and talk to local union members to turn out for our endorsed candidates in the November 2025 election. Details here.

Monday, Oct. 27 virtually: Get Out the Vote (GOTV) Best Practices

Learn how to implement best practices to Get Out the Vote (GOTV) for statewide and local election campaigns. Details here.

Tuesday, Oct. 28 in Houston: Houston Labor Town Hall

This is part of our Statewide Listening Tour to hear from Texas union members.

See all upcoming Texas labor events here.

📝 APPLICATIONS & PROGRAMS

2026 Ruth Ellinger Leadership Academy

This one-year training program is a skill-building and leadership development course managed by the Texas AFL-CIO to help grow and support the next generation of union leaders in Texas. Applications are due by Monday, Nov. 3. Apply here.

🇺🇸 FEDERAL WORKERS

Support For Households Affected By The Federal Shutdown

The San Antonio Food Bank has added special Federal Employee Food Distributions to support households experiencing hardship during the government shutdown. Details here.

We are so proud of the IBEW Local 500 (San Antonio) members who competed at the 2025 International Linemen’s Rodeo as part of the CPS Energy Lineman Rodeo Team!

Photo courtesy IBEW LOCAL 500

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

Texas AFL-CIO

1106 Lavaca St

Austin, TX 78701

Visit us at: texasaflcio.org

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