This newsletter is a 5-minute read.

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

ONE BIG THING: HOT STRIKE SUMMER

Across Texas, workers are fed up and fighting back. We’re taking on the bad bosses and big corporations, demanding better working conditions, and fighting for our communities and families. When workers stand together, we win! Help us welcome: HOT STRIKE SUMMER!

✊ ONGOING: In Texas City, 70 skilled workers, represented by the Texas City Metal Trades Council, AFL-CIO, are on strike at the Ashland Specialty Chemicals plant. This strike is about safety for both workers and the community. Members voted to reject the company's contract because the company is forcing employees to perform work outside their craft, slashing paid sick time benefits, and outsourcing storeroom work. Join them on the picket line tonight!

🏆 WIN: In Houston, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) District Council 10, Glaziers Local 1778 just ended their 40-day Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) strike after ratifying a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with Spring Glass & Mirror. Workers were able to save pension benefits and win better hours and pay!

🏆 WIN: In Dallas, after threatening to strike, DART paratransit workers represented by Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1338 secured a historic union contract with Transdev, including life-changing 21% wage increases and other benefits for the 200+ workers.

👀 KEEP AN EYE ON: In Austin, Keolis/CapMetro workers voted 99.5% to authorize a strike, if necessary, over stalling negotiations. Represented by Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1091, the workers at CapMetro have been so frustrated with Keolis’ complete inflexibility at the table that they recently held a “period of rest” action where they rejected overtime, refusing to earn extra money in order to stand in solidarity with one another for a fair contract. Transit workers across the country have been battling for years against bad-faith, low-bid private contractors like Keolis that profit at the expense of transit workers and the riding public.

Stay tuned for more steps to take to support workers across the state!

AS GOES TEXAS LABOR…

Austin: CapMetro Employees Threaten to Go on Strike — Austin Chronicle, featuring ATU Local 1091 President Brent Payne

🏆 Fort Worth: Fort Worth-based BNSF, union members ratify 5-year agreement — Fort Worth Report, featuring Transportation Communications International Union / International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) National Representative Kevin Lattimer

Houston: Union workers rally for fair pay during World Cup — Houston Press, featuring Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation Executive Director Hany Khalil and Teamsters Local 988 Organizing Director Ricardo Hidalgo

Texas City: Labor strike at Houston-area Ashland chemical plant enters second week — Houston Chronicle, featuring Lewis Crawford, lead negotiator for the Texas City Metal Trades Council and business agent for the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 564

Statewide: Concerns remain about how new Texas reading list could limit teacher instruction time — Spectrum News, featuring Texas American Federation of Teachers (AFT) President Zeph Capo

Statewide: Dolores Huerta tells Texas Democrats to organize and “save democracy” in surprise convention appearance — The Texas Tribune

NEWS TO USE

Worker’s death at SpaceX factory followed hundreds of injuries in recent years — Texas Observer

US judge won't block Labor Department rule on union financial disclosures — Reuters

“You belong here”: Unions rally for migrants hit by SCOTUS ruling — Salon

AFL-CIO Calls for Review of the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement to Center Working Families — AFL-CIO

AI & TECH NEWS BITE

AFL-CIO Worker-Centered AI Principle #6: Require transparency and accountability in AI applications

Allowing an algorithm to secretly determine whether a worker should be hired, promoted, disciplined or fired is a recipe for discrimination and unfairness, stress and job deterioration. Easy-to-understand explanations and having humans meaningfully review decisions are essential to upholding fairness, especially with the high rate of error found in various AI systems, including large language models. There must also be strong accountability and enforcement for AI companies and employers that harm workers.

TEXAS LABOR FAMILY NEWS

🏃 ON THE MOVE

Texas International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) locals are celebrating huge membership growth:

IBEW Local 681 (Weslaco) — 73% growth
IBEW Local 278 (Corpus Christi) — 71% growth
IBEW Local 602 (Amarillo) — 68% growth
IBEW Local 583 (El Paso) — 66% growth
& many more!

💐 IN MEMORY

Vonda McDaniel, president of the Central Labor Council of Nashville & Middle Tennessee, passed away on Jun. 30. A trailblazing labor leader, she was always supportive of our Texas labor movement and organizing the South.

Our hearts go out to her family, friends, and all those who loved her.

🎂 UNION BIRTHDAYS

On Jun. 26, 1985, Laborers' International Union of North America (LIUNA) Local 350 (Houston) was chartered. Originally chartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Local 350 has certainly changed — starting as a pipeline-only local to growing to have a market share in general construction, refineries, and even solar.

SOLIDARITY CORNER: EVENTS & ACTIONS

🚨 TAKE ACTION

ADD YOUR NAME: Tell Harris Center: Give employees a raise & stop union busting

Support United Workers of Harris Center (UWHC - CWA Local 6154) to call on the Harris Center to get the CEO’s pay raise back, give employees a raise, and stop union busting! Take action.

SUBMIT FEEDBACK to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)

Support IBEW members: Texas electricians are urged to speak up about TDLR’s Journeyman Electrician Education Program (JEEP) passage. Take action.
Support UA members: Texas HVAC technicians are urged to submit public comments on Air Conditioning and Refrigeration rules (deadline is Jul. 20). Take action.

📆 EVENTS THIS WEEK

Thursday, Jul. 2 in Texas City: ✊ Picket with Texas City Metal Trades Council at Ashland Specialty Chemicals

Workers at Ashland Specialty Chemicals in Texas City — represented by four unions with the Texas City Metal Trades Council, AFL-CIO — are on an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) strike. Join them tonight from 5pm to 10pm. Details.

Thursday, Jul. 2 in Austin: 💙 AFM 433 America's 250th Celebration Concert

Join American Federation of Musicians (AFM) Local 433 and the Music Performance Trust Fund for America’s 250th Celebration Concert, featuring performances by Diana Burgess & Curtis McMurtry, and the Mirage Jazz Ensemble. Free, open to the public, and all ages. Details.

Friday, Jul. 3 in San Antonio: 💙 Building Trades Women's Gathering

Join the San Antonio Building & Construction Trades Council’s yearly gathering for women in the trades at the San Antonio Missions game. Details.

Monday, Jul. 6 virtually: 👩🏻‍🏫 AFL-CIO Training: History of Voting Rights

In this interactive training, we will look at the history of voting rights in the U.S. and discuss the relationship to today. Details.

Wednesday, Jul. 8 virtually: 👩🏻‍🏫 AFL-CIO Training: Frontline Solidarity: Immigration Tools for Organizers and Activists

The mass deportation agenda is a deeply anti-worker agenda that hurts workers, unions, and the economy. This session will provide participants with information to navigate the escalating attacks on immigrant workers and discuss resources available for unions and organizers. Details.

See all upcoming Texas labor events here.

📝 APPLICATIONS & PROGRAMS

Registration is NOW OPEN for the 2026 Tradeswomen Build Nations (TWBN) conference! This year’s largest annual gathering of unionized tradeswomen in the world will be held in Houston from Oct. 9–11. Details.

💪 TEXAS UNION JOBS

Field Communications & Campaign Support Specialist – Communications — AFL-CIO
Director – Department of Academic Freedom, Tenure, and Governance, remote — AAUP
Academic Freedom Organizer, remote — AAUP
Media Production Manager, remote — AAUP