Lone Star Labor: Don't Mess with Texas Public Schools
In the wee hours of the morning, the Texas House gave initial approval by a vote of 85-63 to Senate Bill 2 (SB 2), Greg Abbott’s private school voucher scam legislation.
Abbott relied on a last ditch phone call from Donald Trump to bully Republican lawmakers to fall in line. Over hours of debate, lawmakers tabled amendment after amendment aimed at making this dangerous proposal a little less toxic. Most of the votes fell on party lines.
Lawmakers voted down an amendment ordering a statewide referendum by a 86-62 vote.
From Texas American Federation of Teachers (AFT) President Zeph Capo:
“The fight isn’t over yet, but it’s a damn sad day for educators, their students, and the millions across our state who love our public schools. For years and years, the Legislature has said no to craven attempts to sell off our schools to the highest bidder because lawmakers on both sides of the aisle historically understood the importance of free, high-quality public education for every Texas student. It’s hard to stomach that one phone call from Donald Trump is enough to change that.
“Republican leaders are poised to put the nail in the coffin of our public schools, and you’ve never seen such gleeful pallbearers. To deny the voters–their own constituents–a say in what happens in their communities and to their schools is unconscionable.”
We must send a clear message: Don’t mess with Texas public schools! Find out how your lawmaker voted here.
AS GOES TEXAS LABOR…
Austin: Texas IBEW leaders from across the state gather to discuss legislative matters
Dallas: After labor charges, Dallas Black Dance Theatre forms task force to build ‘community trust’ — KERA News, featuring American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) members
El Paso: El Paso City Council approves new prevailing wage rates
Statewide: DATA: DOGE’s slashing of the federal workforce will cost Texans — Every Texan
NEWS TO USE
Unions form pro bono legal network for federal workers targeted by Trump — The New York Times ($)
Union calls for return of ‘unlawfully’ deported tradesworker — Construction Dive
Alamo Drafthouse Strike Ends After Deal Is Reached in New York — Hollywood Reporter
Trump just escalated his war on coal miners. Their unions are fighting back. — In These Times
TEXAS LABOR FAMILY NEWS
🏃 Labor on the Move
Congratulations to the newly-elected leadership of the Rio Grande Valley Central Labor Council! As we build worker power in the Rio Grande Valley, they’ll need our support!
- President: Patrick Hammens, BEST AFT
- Vice President: Marsha Gonzalez, Edinburg AFT
- Secretary-Treasurer: Sylvia Tanguma, McAllen AFT
Texas State Association of Fire Fighters (TSAFF) and IAFF District 11 Vice President Michael Glynn was appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott as the presiding officer of the Texas Commission on Fire Protection. Michael is a proud member of Fort Worth Professional Firefighters Local 440. Congrats, Michael!
💐 In Memory
Sister Angela Phillips recently passed away. She was a proud Teamster Local 767 member and dedicated DFW Sunrise employee. Our thoughts are with her family, friends, and all who knew her.
Kurt Lentz, a member of Georgetown Association of Professional Fire Fighters Local 3991, passed away on Apr. 11. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who knew him.
SOLIDARITY CORNER: EVENTS & ACTIONS
🚨 Take Action
Call your Member of Congress and tell them to co-sponsor the Protect America’s Workforce Act, H.R.2550! Texas members who are already co-sponsors include Reps. Greg Casar (TX-35), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Sylvia R. Garcia (TX-29), Al Green (TX-09), Julie Johnson (TX-32), and Marc Veasey (TX-33). Call your Member HERE.
Send an email to State Representatives and tell them to end the attacks on Texas construction workers! Texas lawmakers shouldn't be trying to take a tool out of our toolbox — leave Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) alone. Send your message HERE.
Donate to support legal representation for a member of International Rescue Committee Workers Unite Texas, OPEIU Local 277 who was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and abruptly ripped away from their home, family, livelihood, and community.
Donate to the AFGE Federal Employee Defense Fund to fund legal action and other strategies to defend American public employees.
📆 Events
Friday, Apr. 19 in Houston: A. Philip Randolph Institute Fish Fry
Join us for a Fish Fry, 10AM to 3PM at 5040 Bellfort Ave. in Houston. Details HERE.
Monday, Apr. 21 in Dallas: Town Hall Meeting on Federal Cuts
The Dallas Central Labor Council is hosting a town hall meeting with members of Congress and federal workers. Details HERE.
Tuesday, Apr. 22: Early Voting Begins for Texas's 2025 Local Elections
Check with your Central Labor Council for local endorsements, and see a list of notable elections HERE.
Tuesday, Apr. 22 virtual: ASL Interpreters Union–OPEIU & Rep. Greg Casar Virtual Public Video Relay Service (VRS) User Forum
VRS users will share their experiences and concerns with VRS, an essential service regulated by the FCC and funded by American consumers of telecommunications products. The event will also feature Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioner Anna M. Gomez. Details HERE.
📝 Applications & Programs
- 2025 Strategic Corporate Research Summer School for folks interested in working in the labor movement at the Cornell School of Industrial and Labor Relations, applications due Thursday, May 1.
- Texas AFL-CIO Career-Building Scholarship for affiliated union members furthering their career, application due Friday, May 2.
🇺🇸 Federal Workers: Stay Informed
Trump’s attacks on federal workers are moving at a breakneck speed. If you’re an AFGE member or federal worker, you can stay up to date and get critical questions answered at AFGE’s new one stop shop: afge.org/AFGEStrong
⭐ Texas AFL-CIO 2025 Constitutional Convention: A Labor Movement as Big as Texas!
Registration is open for the Texas AFL-CIO 2025 Constitutional Convention, happening June 26-28 at the Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk.
- Purchase your early registration tickets HERE.
- Sponsorship opportunities are available! Details HERE.
📸 Photo of the Week
Our Texas AFL-CIO Ruth Ellinger Leadership Academy fellows from across the state volunteered at this week’s Austin Citizenship Clinic, helping more than 50 people complete their paperwork for their citizenship applications! Stay tuned for information on the fellows’ upcoming graduation.
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