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

As 2025 comes to an end, we want to thank you for everything you’ve done. Your commitment to fighting for Texas workers and standing up against the billionaires and the politicians they’ve bought is what powers our movement.

Our work proves that union solidarity is the best tool we have to improve the lives of Texas workers and their families. This year wasn’t easy, but together we achieved real victories.

At a time when union membership is declining nationwide, Texas is moving in the opposite direction. This year, the Texas AFL-CIO surpassed 250,000 affiliated members, and workers won big across the state! 

In the panhandle, workers at the JBS meatpacking plant unionized with United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) won higher wages, paid sick leave, and a pension under a newly ratified contract!

In Bryan-College Station, nurses at St. Joseph hospital voted to join National Nurses United (NNU)!

And in Houston, UNITE HERE! Local 23 members who work as housekeepers, laundry attendants, and stewards at Hilton Americas-Houston won a historic $22/hour minimum wage after 40 days on strike.

And that’s just scraping the surface of wins from across the state. We also fought tooth and nail against Trump and Abbott’s redistricting scheme. From telling Abbott to “cut the bullshit” to supporting House Democrats who broke quorum, labor showed up to rally, testify, and fight back. When those redistricting maps passed, we remained defiant. Your testimony and leadership made it clear to other states that our fight against the Trump takeover couldn’t end in Texas.

We learned some critical lessons, fought like hell, and we’re ready for even bigger wins in the new year. We’re honored to do this work alongside you. Solidarity forever and best wishes for 2026! 

Statewide: At the Texas AFL-CIO, a Changing of the Guard in a Time of Growth — The Texas Observer featuring retired Texas AFL-CIO President Rick Levy

Corpus Christi: House Bill 8 replaces STAAR test with three-part system, sparking educator concerns about teaching time — KRIS 6 NEWS featuring Corpus Christi American Federation of Teachers (AFT) President Dr. Nancy Vera

San Antonio: Pentagon in talks to move major agency to San Antonio. What it could mean. — San Antonio Express-News

Statewide: Houston Matters — Houston Public Media featuring retired Texas AFL-CIO President Rick Levy

Statewide: Red-hot Texas is getting so many data center requests that experts see a bubble — CNBC

How Labor Scored a Surprising Win in the GOP-Controlled House — The New Republic

US invalidates union contract covering 47,000 TSA officers, AFGE vows to challenge — Reuters

‘A very hostile climate for workers’: US labor movement struggles under Trump — The Guardian

As WNBA labor deadline nears, players union is ‘frustrated’ by lack of progress — CNBC

🏃 LABOR ON THE MOVE

NEW ORGANIZING ✊ 165 workers at Microsoft’s id Software in Richardson just voted to unionize with Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 6215!

Solidarity with the flight attendants at Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 578 (Houston) who ratified a new five-year contract that increases wages and provides critical improvements to benefits!

Congratulations to Chris Salinas of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Local 2916 (Corpus Christi), who was appointed IAM Southern Territory Special Representative and will step into the role on Jan. 1, 2026!

Congratulations to the Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation, whose organizing and hard work paid off with victories for both labor-endorsed candidates in their runoff elections!

Congratulations to brother Steve Jaroszewski, who topped out to the classification of journeyman lineman with International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 66 (Houston). 

💐 IN MEMORY

Brandy Allinience, a member of International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 341 in Houston, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 39. Our hearts go out to her friends and family.

🚨 TAKE ACTION

1. CALL: Tell the Senate to Pass the Protect America’s Workforce Act! We need every senator—Republican, Democrat, and independent—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. EMAIL: Tell the WNBA to negotiate in good faith with their players!! WNBA officials and team owners continue to ignore player demands. Send an email to WNBA stakeholders telling them to stop playing games and pay the players!  Take action here.

3. SIGN: Take the Pledge for Starbucks Workers United (SBWU) — No Contract, No Coffee! Starbucks baristas are demanding a fair union contract with better staffing, hours, take-home pay, and an end to union-busting. Take action here.
   
   

4. 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

Saturday, Dec. 20 in San Antonio: LCLAA Christmas Party and Toy Drive
Join the LCLAA San Antonio Chapter for their Christmas Party and Toy Drive! Details here.

Various Dates & Locations: Starbucks Workers United Picket Line

Union baristas are on an unfair labor practice strike to protest union busting and demand a fair union contract and a better future at Starbucks. Join the picket line in Austin, Denton, DFW, or 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
Early bird pricing ends TODAY, Thursday, Dec. 18. Every two years, we come together to induct Texas labor legends into our Hall of Fame, vote on statewide endorsements, and set our strategy for the 2026 elections! 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.

Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Texas is hiring for Organizers/Member Representatives in Houston to help develop strong worksite leaders by guiding and coaching members in organizing, problem-solving, communications, and member engagement. Details here.

The AFL-CIO is hiring for a Senior Field Representative – Western Region to oversee the AFL-CIO year-round political and issue mobilization in assigned states, and build state and local labor federation structures for successful and sustainable mobilization that strengthens the state federation and CLC programs. Details here.

This week, San Antonio labor showed up at City Hall in support of two Council Consideration Requests focused on strengthening trades pathways and the Trades Advisory Board.

Photo via San Antonio AFL-CIO

Please note that the Lone Star Labor weekly newsletter will pause for the remainder of the year. We’ll be back on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026.

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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