Lone Star Labor: Responding to Trump & Elon’s union-busting
On Mar. 27, the Trump Administration and Elon Musk took their most blatantly anti-worker, anti-union action yet: an executive order stripping the right to organize from hundreds of thousands of federal workers at more than 30 agencies.
Unions across the country and across industries are standing in solidarity with federal workers. And just yesterday, representatives in Congress have introduced the bipartisan Protect America’s Workforce Act, which would overturn Trump’s executive order.
Next week, the Texas AFL-CIO and American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) will be hosting a public, virtual town hall with federal workers and Texas members of Congress. We’re asking everyone to join to hear from workers, stand in solidarity across the state, and take action. You can RSVP for the link to join here.
AS GOES TEXAS LABOR…
Corpus Christi: IBEW Local 278 launches Current Connection podcast
Dallas: Closing of Dallas DOE regional office halts all services to Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi, union says — FOX 4 KDFW, featuring Sheria Smith, president of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 252
Dallas: Labor participates in ‘Mega Marcha’ for immigration rights in Dallas — People’s World
El Paso: El Paso teachers’ unions advocate increased school funding, decry vouchers at Texas legislature — El Paso Matters, featuring Rosie Perez, president of the West Texas Alliance, and Veronica Hernandez, president of Socorro American Federation of Teachers (AFT).
Houston: Higher Harris County wages a ‘historic victory’ says labor union president — Community Impact, featuring Elsa Flores, president of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Texas
Houston: SEIU Texas stands in solidarity with union members detained by ICE in Massachusetts and Seattle
NEWS TO USE
Texas will be among states hardest hit in trade war, EU ambassador warns — FOX Business
‘Hands Off’ protest: April 5 could see massive turnout for rallies against Trump and Musk in all 50 states. Here’s what to know — Fast Company
TEXAS LABOR FAMILY NEWS
🏃 Labor on the Move
Congratulations to the new officers of the West Texas Building and Construction Trades Council:
- President: Roy Privitt, SMART Local 49
- Vice President: Gabriel Benitez, APWU 952
- Secretary-Treasurer: John P. Avila, IBEW Local 602
- Trustee: Shawn Smith, SMART Local 49
BookPeople United OPEIU 277 (Austin) unanimously approved a new contract this week! Congrats, y’all!
UAW Local 218’s Bargaining Team is in contract negotiations with Bell Flight in Arlington. Solidarity, y’all!
💐 In Memory
Tony Padilla, Transportation Communications Union’s (TCU) former Assistant National Legislative Director, passed away recently. Tony enjoyed a remarkable 43-year career in the rail industry, retiring in December 2009. His journey began in Feb. 1967 as a General Clerk Freight and Passenger Agent with Southern Pacific Railroad. Our thoughts are with Tony’s family and TCU/IAM members who knew him.
SOLIDARITY CORNER: EVENTS & ACTIONS
🚨 Take Action
Representatives in Congress have introduced the bipartisan Protect America’s Workforce Act, which would overturn Trump’s union busting executive order. We are asking every single American who cares about the fundamental freedom of all workers to join a union to call their member of Congress right now. Fill out this form to receive a call or dial 844-896-5059.
📆 Events
Saturday, Apr. 5: Hands Off! National Day of Action
Join labor leaders and community advocates at an event near you to tell Trump and Elon: “Hands off!” Dozens of Texas events are scheduled — find an event near you HERE.
Saturday, Apr. 5 in Austin: Save Texas Schools Rally at the Capitol
Our public schools are in crisis due to funding held hostage by state leadership pushing a voucher plan that will only benefit a few. Join thousands of fellow Texans to rally at the Texas Capitol! Details HERE.
Tuesday, Apr. 8 online: Workers Over Billionaires: Virtual Town Hall with Texas Federal Workers & Members of Congress
The Texas labor movement stands shoulder-to-shoulder with federal sector workers to fight these outrageous attacks on our freedom. Join us for a virtual town hall with Texas workers and Members of Congress to organize and fight back against these unconstitutional attacks! Details HERE.
Wednesday, Apr. 9 in Austin: Texas State Employees Union Lobby Day
TSEU is calling for a massive show of strength to tell the legislature that we will fight to restore funding for public services, to protect state employee benefits, and to win a REAL across-the-board raise. Everything is at stake: our jobs, our pensions, our health care, our pay and the services we provide. Details HERE.
Thursday, Apr. 10 online: NewsGuild-CWA Defend Our Free Press Membership Meeting
Open to members only: We’re holding an emergency all-hands national membership meeting to defend a free press. Workers, unions, and journalists are under attack—and we're fighting back. Details HERE.
Friday, Apr. 11 in Dallas: CWA Rally for a Fair Contract with AT&T
Join as CWA Local 6215 peacefully rallies for a fair contract with AT&T for a brighter future! Please wear black in solidarity. Details HERE.
📝 Applications & Programs:
- Coalition of Black Trade Unionists Leonard C. Ball & James H. Bell Scholarship for undergraduate students, application due Friday, Apr. 11.
- Labor Notes Contest: Songs and Chants for the Strike Line for songwriters, due Saturday, Apr. 12.
- 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 NOW 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
Nearly 100 union members joined us for our San Antonio Labor Town Hall – part of our statewide listening tour! Folks across industries are ready to stand up workers' rights, hold our elected officials accountable, and get to work organizing San Antonio.
Thank you to CWA Local 6143 for hosting us, and thank you to members from AFGE Local 3377, AFM Local 23, AFSCME Local 2021, AFT Local 67, AFT Local 1356, AFT Local 3216, APWU Local 195, ATU Local 695, CWA Local 6143, CWA Local 6186, San Antonio Hank Brown Retirees Council, HFIU Local 87, IAFF Local 624, IATSE Local 76, IBEW Local 60, LCLAA San Antonio, OPEIU Local 277, San Antonio Building Trades Council, SEIU Local 509, TSEU-CWA, TWU Local 262, UA Local 142, UFCW Local 455, and UNITE HERE Local 23 for attending.
Stay tuned for announcements on our next Town Halls!
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