Programs

Legislation and Politics

The Texas AFL-CIO promotes a Raising Wages Agenda that benefits union families and the working public at large. This includes support for a higher minimum wage, prevailing wage laws, project labor agreements, expansion of health care to more working poor Texans and stronger workplace safety laws. We fight defensive battles against efforts to weaken pensions, prevailing wage laws, project labor agreements and unions themselves. We have a long history of support for civil rights initiatives and comprehensive immigration reform. In conjunction with our legislative program, we support political candidates who we believe will promote the cause of working people. Political endorsements are made through our Committee on Political Education (COPE). Legislative policies are established through our conventions, the United Labor Legislative Committee and our Executive Board. These policy-setting bodies are representative of our membership. Among labor-backed achievements in recent legislative sessions: a “Buy America” bill that applies to materials used in taxpayer-funded projects; pay raises for teachers; an electric deregulation bill with pro-worker provisions; a state holiday honoring UFW founder Cesar Chavez; pay raises for state employees; a hate crimes bill; and bargaining rights for some public employees.

Campaigns

The Texas AFL-CIO assists in labor-related actions and campaigns across the state. Campaigns in conjunction with Central Labor Councils and other labor organizations include but are not limited to organizing workers, message development, convening demonstrations and protests, helping with issue-related voter turnout drives, engaging in social media, and finding new ways to deliver labor’s message both inside and outside the Texas AFL-CIO.

Human Relations

This department helps working people who are on strike, victimized by disasters or otherwise in need of assistance. Our volunteers are a key to maintaining good community relations, helping not only when we promote a political cause, but when we are simply trying to help our neighbors. As an example, in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, the state labor federation devoted most of its time to raising funds for and otherwise helping far-flung victims of the storm. The Texas AFL-CIO directs the operations of the Workers Assistance Program, a grant-funded, nationally recognized organization that helps workers navigate difficulties in their lives. The Human Relations Department also oversees Texas AFL-CIO conventions.

Field Education & Research

This department works on mobilization of working people around the state, organizing actions and maintaining grass-roots contact with a statewide network of activists. The department works on union voter lists and other ways of generating contacts with active union members in Texas. The Field Education & Research Department also oversees an annual golf tournament that raises funds for scholarships and other programs.

Communications

The Texas AFL-CIO publishes a daily e-mail newsletter that is available to union members, retirees, friends of labor and journalists. To subscribe, send name, e-mail address and union or media affiliation to ed@texasaflcio.org. The federation maintains active Facebook and Twitter pages. As part of our public relations program, we maintain relationships with reporters throughout the state. The public relations department helps individual unions with letters to the editor, editorials and honing of messages.

Digital Strategy

Expanding on traditional communications strategies and integrating with the Campaigns department, the Texas AFL-CIO Digital Strategist uses social media and other cutting-edge tools to expand labor’s message across the Internet and maintain contacts with our members, retirees and allies. The state labor federation offers digital training for local and regional union officers responsible for communications in Texas, keeping unions up to date on message delivery. To sign up for e-Activist messages from the Texas AFL-CIO, go to www.texasaflcio.org and click on the “Join the Fight!” button and text TXAFLCIO to 235246 on your mobile phone.

Education

The Texas AFL-CIO prepares and conducts educational programs for affiliates and their members. Topics have included union organizing, labor law, political organizing, workers’ compensation, steward training, grievances and arbitration, communications, the Americans With Disabilities Act and job training. On request, we will address other topics as warranted. The Education Department also administers an annual Scholarship Program in which 25 to 30 graduating high school seniors who are children of union members receive one-time grants of $1,500.

Leadership Development

The Texas AFL-CIO oversees the Ruth Ellinger Texas Labor Leaders School, a leadership development program for union members who want to step up their level of advocacy in Texas. The state federation has worked with Young Active Labor Leaders to convene meetings and a “Step Up” Young Workers Conference to develop leadership skills. These and other trainings work in tandem with local unions to help carve a path for any union member in Texas who wishes to take responsibility for important union-related tasks. The Texas AFL-CIO has employed paid interns who are seeking careers as union activists. 

Legal

The Texas AFL-CIO provides support and information on labor laws, government regulations, campaign and lobbying laws and other matters that unions navigate every day.