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

On Tuesday, Leonard Aguilar and Lorraine Montemayor were sworn in as President and Secretary-Treasurer of the Texas AFL-CIO — the first time two Latinos have led the federation. Both come from rank-and-file roots and are deeply committed to growing a stronger Texas labor movement.

Leonard and Lorraine laid out a vision that honors past leaders and builds upon their legacy to push the Texas labor movement forward. Their leadership marks a new chapter rooted in experience, driven by hope, and focused on building a future where every Texas worker is valued and respected.

From Leonard: “To those that have come before us and laid the groundwork, thank you. Lorraine and I will expand on the foundation you’ve laid out. It’s time for Texas workers to realize their power to take on the billionaires and the big corporations — but they need hope, and that’s where we come in. Together, we can grow the Texas labor movement and win a future where every worker is valued and respected.”

From Lorraine: “As a product of our movement, I am overcome with appreciation for our members. It was this movement that gave me the tools and skills I needed to see myself as a leader. And just like the movement believed in me, I believe in the power of our rank-and-file union members and their families. Alongside Leonard and our team, we’ll continue to educate, organize, and win for Texas workers.”

President Rick Levy officially retired on Dec. 1. Here are a few ways you can help us honor his legacy in the Texas labor movement:

1. Submit or record a video here wishing Rick a happy retirement — maybe sharing a story or two. Once you follow the link, the website will instruct you to record a video!
   
   

2. Upload your favorite photos here of Rick throughout the years.
   
   

3. Save the date for Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026 for a celebration honoring Rick Levy. More information to come!

Austin: Texas AFL-CIO Swears In New Leaders — Spectrum News 

College Station: Faculty panel: Texas A&M wrongly fired professor after gender lesson — The Texas Tribune

Houston: Inside CenterPoint’s linemen training program, the utility’s most aggressive hiring spree in decades — Houston Chronicle featuring International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 66 Business Manager/Financial Secretary Ed Allen

San Marcos: Texas College Teacher Fired for Free Speech — Labor Notes featuring Texas State Employees Union (TSEU / CWA Local 6186) member Dr. Tom Alter

Statewide: Texas Workers Keep Dying in the Heat —  Inside Climate News featuring Texas State Building and Construction Trades Council Executive Director Ryan Pollock and Texas AFL-CIO Organizing and Advocacy Director Ana Gonzalez

ICE Is Targeting Workers. Here’s How Employers and Unions Are Fighting Back — Truthout

WNBA and players union extend CBA deadline to Jan. 9 — Associated Press

‘We’re not going anywhere’: how unionization ‘whirlwind’ set stage for historic Starbucks strike — The Guardian

Why Gen Z Men Are the Most Pro-Union Generation in History: Unions Build Stable Finances — Center for American Progress

🏃 LABOR ON THE MOVE

More than 130 members of Teamsters Local 767 ratified a new contract with Refresco in Fort Worth. The four-year agreement delivers wage increases, overtime pay for weekend work, and enhanced seniority protections.

PODCAST ALERT 🎙️ IBEW Local 278 (Corpus Christi) released a new episode of their Current Connection Podcast.

PODCAST ALERT 🎙️ The Houston Federation of Teachers (HFT) released the first episode of their podcast Organizing with HFT.

💐 IN MEMORY

Carl Tillery, a 37-year member of the United Auto Workers (UAW) and lifelong champion of workers' rights, passed away on November 18, 2025, in Garland, Texas. He was 90 years old.

Gilbert Alcala, a proud member of Pipe Fitters Local 211 in Houston, passed away on Nov. 11. He was 92 years old.

Our hearts go out to their friends and family.v

1. CALL: Tell your Representative to Pass the Protect America’s Workforce Act. We need every representative — Republican or Democrat — who says they support America’s unions to vote for the Protect America’s Workforce Act and restore federal workers’ union rights. Take action here.
   
   

2. SIGN: Take the Pledge for Starbucks Workers United (SBWU) — No Contract, No Coffee! Starbucks baristas deserve to be paid enough to afford the basics like food and rent. That's why they're demanding a fair union contract with the staffing, hours, take-home pay, and an end to union-busting. Take action here.
   
   

3. SIGN: Stand with NewsGuild-CWA journalists and demand news, not slop! Unionized journalists across North America have come together to sound the alarm: Media companies are implementing artificial intelligence in ways that damage the credibility of the journalism on which you rely. Take action here.

📆 EVENTS THIS WEEK

TODAY, Thursday, Dec. 4 virtually: AI Principles Briefing

Learn about the AFL-CIO’s Workers First Initiative on AI, first-of-their-kind artificial intelligence (AI) principles expressing workers’ concerns and aspirations toward the development and adoption of AI in our workplaces and communities Details here.

Friday, Dec. 5 in Denton: Starbucks Workers United Picket Line
Union baristas are on an unfair labor practice strike protesting union busting and demanding a fair union contract and a better future at Starbucks. Join the picket line in Denton! Details here.

Friday, Dec. 5 virtually: Talking Politics at the Dinner Table

Learn tips for navigating tough political conversations with your loved ones from the AFL-CIO, and take home political organizing skills you can use to build powerful member-to-member programs. Details here.

Saturday, Dec. 6 in Houston: Union Block Walk: City Council At-Large 4 and CD-18 Runoff

Join the Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation to block walk for labor-endorsed candidates in the December and January Runoff elections! Details here.

Saturday, Dec. 6 in San Antonio: Starbucks Workers United Picket Line
Union baristas are on an unfair labor practice strike protesting union busting and demanding a fair union contract and a better future at Starbucks. Join the picket line in San Antonio! Details here.

Tuesday, Dec. 9 in Dallas: Starbucks Workers United Picket Line
Union baristas are on an unfair labor practice strike protesting union busting and demanding a fair union contract and a better future at Starbucks. Join the picket line in Dallas! Details here.

Tuesday, Dec. 9 in San Antonio: Starbucks Workers United Picket Line
Union baristas are on an unfair labor practice strike protesting union busting and demanding a fair union contract and a better future at Starbucks. Join the picket line in San Antonio! Details here.

📆 PLAN AHEAD

In the New Year: Union Phone Banks & Block Walks for Taylor Rehmet for Texas Senate
Join the Texas AFL-CIO and Tarrant County Central Labor Council to make calls and knock doors for our labor-endorsed candidate, Taylor Rehmet for Texas Senate District 9! Details here.

Jan. 24-25 in Georgetown: Texas AFL-CIO 2026 COPE Convention
Register now for the 2026 COPE Convention! Early bird pricing ends on Thursday, Dec. 18. Book your hotel and register at texasaflcioconvention.org 

See all upcoming Texas labor events here.

📝 APPLICATIONS & PROGRAMS

2026 Texas AFL-CIO High School Scholarship applications are now open! Each year, the Texas AFL-CIO awards dozens of Texas high school seniors scholarships to members or children of members of affiliated local unions. Applications are due Jan. 31. Learn more and apply here.

The graduating apprentices of UA Local 142 (San Antonio) are ready to step out into the next chapter of their careers!

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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