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

The Texas AFL-CIO will be hosting the first U.S. Senate Debate of 2026 between Jasmine Crockett and James Talarico at our 2026 COPE Convention!

If you’re already planning on attending the COPE Convention in Georgetown, you’ll be in the room to hear directly from both candidates. Other in-person seats will be limited to union members and union members’ families. You can find additional information here.

The debate will be moderated by Nexstar’s KXAN-TV anchor Daniel Marin and Dallas Morning News political writer Gromer Jeffers. Nexstar Media Group Inc. will be livestreaming the debate across their Texas websites and on local market’s smart TV apps.

This debate will help our union members — and workers across the state — determine who to support in the Democratic primary. We’re looking forward to putting Texas union members front-and-center in this election, and hearing from both Jasmine Crockett and James Talarico about their visions for the state.

Read more: 

• Jasmine Crockett, James Talarico set to debate for first time ahead of US Senate primary - KXAN

• Texas Democrats Jasmine Crockett and James Talarico agree to first Senate primary debate — Dallas Morning News

Statewide: Texas teachers union files lawsuit against TEA over Charlie Kirk investigations — Houston Chronicle featuring Texas American Federation of Teachers (Texas AFT)

Statewide: How Can Workers Build Power in the South This Year? — Valley Labor Report featuring Texas AFL-CIO President Leonard Aguilar

Dallas: Postal workers waiting on heat protection more than two years after Dallas carrier’s death — Dallas Morning News featuring National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Lone Star Branch 132 (Dallas) President Kimetra Lewis and NALC President Brian Renfroe

Fort Worth: Could This State Senate Runoff Be a Tipping Point for Tarrant County? — Texas Observer featuring International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Texas State Council President Taylor Rehmet

Houston: Unionized hospitality workers in Houston saw ‘historic’ wins in 2025. More could see gains in 2026 — Houston Public Media featuring UNITE HERE! Local 23 Texas Chapter President Franchesca Caraballo and UNITE HERE! Local 23 Secretary Treasurer Willy Gonzalez

Rio Grande Valley: ‘Construction can’t continue’: South Texas builders say ICE arrests have upended the industry — The Texas Tribune

US labor unions gear up to fight against Trump’s ‘Billionaire First’ agenda — The Guardian featuring AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler

‘Trump’s EPA’ in 2025: A fossil fuel-friendly approach to deregulation — Associated Press featuring American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1003 President Justin Chen

NLRB poised for major policy shifts in 2026 with new Trump-appointed majority — Reuters

‘I am what I am’: American Postal Workers Union’s new president talks leadership during inflection point for U.S. Postal Service — Government Executive

Arbitrator: Trump’s union EOs violate ‘hierarchy of law’ — Government Executive

WNBPA says no one should believe WNBA's latest offer is a 'good deal' — USA Today

🏃 LABOR ON THE MOVE

NEW ORGANIZING ✊ More than 200 workers at a new Siemens facility in Fort Worth have joined International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 220.

NEW ORGANIZING ✊ Climate Pros workers in Mesquite have joined United Association (UA) Local 100.

Congratulations to recently elected Texas Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW) President Pauline Mims and Vice President Britni Cuington!

Congratulations to brother John Leggett, who recently celebrated his 35th year as a member of UA Local 286 (Austin).

Congratulations to brothers Brian Ducasse and Bo Bergfeld, who topped out to the classification of journeyman linemen with IBEW Local 66 (Houston).

Shout out to the Rio Grande Valley Central Labor Council (RGV CLC) for starting 2026 with a refreshed logo and color palette.

Start making plans to see this new mural at IBEW Local 278 (Corpus Christi) once it’s completed!

💐 IN MEMORY

Gary Beevers, retired International Vice President of the United Steelworkers (USW), passed away on Oct. 26, at the age of 72. His union journey began with the Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers Union (OCAW) in Port Arthur. Over five decades, Beevers fought for worker health and safety, improving the lives of refinery workers for generations to come.

Cortney Lee Clark, a member of IBEW Local 66 in Houston, passed away on Jan. 2 in a workplace accident. Donate to help his family cover funeral expenses here.

Justin Hancock, a member of IBEW Local 278 in Corpus Christi, passed away on Dec. 3 at the age of 32.

Bob Kafka, an Austin-based disability rights advocate whose decades of activism influenced local and national policy, passed away on Dec. 26 at the age of 79. “Don't mourn, organize.”

Archie Mason, a member of UAW Local 276 in Grand Prairie, passed away on Dec. 18.

Richard "Dickie" Miears, a member of UA Local 142 in San Antonio, passed away on Dec. 28 at the age of 77.

John A. Spence, a member of UA Local 211 in Houston, passed away on Dec. 20 at the age of 76.

Our hearts go out to their friends and family.

📜 THIS WEEK IN TEXAS LABOR HISTORY… 

On Jan. 5, 1981, the San Antonio AFL-CIO Central Labor Council opened its first permanent, year-round office!

🚨 TAKE ACTION

1. SIGN: Tell Hearst to respect Austin's local news! The journalists at the Austin American-Statesmen are fighting for a contract that guarantees improved wages, safety, job security, and guardrails for the use of artificial intelligence. Take action here.
2. 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.
3. EMAIL: Tell the WNBA to negotiate in good faith with their players!! WNBA officials and team owners continue to ignore player demands. The extended CBA deadline is tomorrow, Jan. 9! Send an email to WNBA stakeholders telling them to stop playing games and pay the players!  Take action here.
   
4. 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.

📆 EVENTS THIS WEEK

Friday, Jan. 9 in San Antonio: San Antonio AFL-CIO’s New Leaders Reception
Kick off a new chapter of labor leadership by welcoming the newly elected Executive Board of the San Antonio AFL-CIO Central Labor Council. Details here.

Saturday, Jan. 10 in Fort Worth: Fort Worth Union Block Walk for Taylor Rehmet
Join the Texas AFL-CIO, Tarrant County Central Labor Council, and Communications Workers of America (CWA) District 6 to knock doors for our labor-endorsed candidate: Taylor Rehmet for Texas Senate District 9! Details here.

Monday, Jan. 13 in Fort Worth: Union Veterans Council Town Hall with Taylor Rehmet
Join Taylor Rehmet, a union leader and Air Force veteran, alongside the Union Veterans Council to learn more about the issues facing veterans and working families in Texas. Details here.

Wednesday, Jan. 14 virtually: Mobilize Training for Dashboard Admins

Learn how to manage your Mobilize Dashboard. Details here.

📆 PLAN AHEAD

Jan. 24-25 in Georgetown: Texas AFL-CIO 2026 COPE Convention
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 

Later this month: 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.

Feb. 21 in Cedar Creek: The Bigger Broader Bolder Bash

Join the Texas AFL-CIO for our inaugural Texas AFL-CIO Bigger Broader Bolder Bash to celebrate retired President Rick Levy’s years of commitment to the Texas labor movement! Details here.

See all upcoming Texas labor events here.

📝 APPLICATIONS & PROGRAMS

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

On Wednesday, Jan. 7, UA Local 100 (Mesquite) welcomed Climate Pros workers into the labor family!

Photo via UA Local 100

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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