From Texas AFL-CIO President Leonard Aguilar & Secretary-Treasurer Lorraine Montemayor:<\/p>\n
We\u2019re leaving the 30th AFL-CIO Convention hopeful, energized, and proud.<\/p>\n
Over the last four days, we were reminded that the Labor Movement will continue to lead the resistance, build worker power, and welcome every activist into the fight.\u00a0But what made us especially proud was seeing Texas highlighted throughout the convention.<\/p>\n
From panelists recognizing the fights being led by Texas workers to powerful keynote speakers lifting up the work happening in our state, campaigns from folks like\u00a0UNITE HERE Local 23,\u00a0Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Texas, and Communications Workers of America (CWA) District 6 were spotlighted throughout the week.<\/p>\n
American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) President Everett Kelley gave District 10 National Vice President Cheryl Eliano her flowers for mobilizing members to e-dues and ensuring federal workers remain strong in the face of attacks on their unions.\u00a0Sister Alejandra Lopez,\u00a0president of\u00a0San Antonio AFL-CIO and\u00a0San Antonio Alliance (AFT Local 67),\u00a0reminded us<\/a> that resilience is one of the labor movement\u2019s greatest strengths. And\u00a0Dolores Huerta\u00a0challenged us<\/a> to continue organizing to repeal racist laws like \u201cright-to-work\u201d.<\/p>\n Texas voices were also heard from the convention floor as delegates spoke in support of resolutions that will help shape the future of our movement:<\/p>\n AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler\u00a0set the goal to organize<\/a> 2 million workers over the next five years, and we know that our state and the South are critical to that work!\u00a0Texans will continue showing up, leading, organizing, fighting, and building worker power!\u00a0<\/p>\n In solidarity, AS GOES TEXAS LABOR\u2026<\/p>\n Austin:\u00a0Austin ISD parents and teachers protest deep cuts that will reshape schools<\/a> \u2014\u00a0KUT News featuring\u00a0Education Austin (AFT Local 2048) President\u00a0Ken Zarifis and members<\/p>\n Dallas:\u00a0Citing poor working conditions and pay, DART paratransit workers vote to authorize strike<\/a> \u2014\u00a0Dallas Observer featuring\u00a0Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1338 Vice President\u00a0Bernard Wade<\/p>\n Dallas:\u00a0Dallas Black Dance Theatre gets new leader after labor dispute<\/a> \u2014\u00a0KERA News featuring\u00a0American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA)<\/p>\n Fort Worth & Amarillo:\u00a0Bell lays off 285 employees in Texas and Kansas<\/a> \u2014\u00a0Fort Worth Report \u2014 featuring United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 218<\/p>\n \ud83c\udfc6 Houston:\u00a0Marriott Marquis Houston workers secure increased wages through union contract<\/a> \u2014\u00a0Houston Public Media\u00a0featuring\u00a0UNITE HERE Local 23 Secretary-Treasurer\u00a0Willy Gonzalez<\/p>\n Houston:\u00a0New IAFF analysis finds call volume, resource gaps straining HFD<\/a> \u2014\u00a0Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association (IAFF Local 341)<\/p>\n Statewide:\u00a0Has Texas \u2018Death Star law\u2019 gone too far? Lawmakers weigh changes<\/a> \u2014\u00a0KXAN<\/p>\n NEWS TO USE<\/p>\n Op-Ed:\u00a0America\u2019s Workers Are Fighting Back \u2014 and Winning<\/a> \u2014\u00a0The Contrarian\u00a0written by\u00a0AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler<\/p>\n 20 House Republicans Break Ranks to Join Democrats in Passing Pro-Union Bill<\/a> \u2014\u00a0TIME Magazine\u00a0<\/p>\n Stadium workers near LA say they have a tentative deal, averting strike ahead of World Cup<\/a> \u2014\u00a0Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n Inside one labor union\u2019s push to make AI improve work \u2014 not replace it<\/a> \u2014\u00a0Technically<\/p>\n AI & TECH NEWS BITE\u00a0<\/p>\n More than 90% of working people favor AI guardrails to protect their jobs and privacy rights. That\u2019s why the\u00a0AFL-CIO built the first-of-its-kind\u00a0Workers First AI Agenda<\/a>, grounded in principles that bind the interests of all people, no matter what they do, where they live, who they voted for or how they feel about new technology.\u00a0<\/p>\n At the 2026 Convention, delegates recommitted to these principles and called for industry and government leaders to:<\/p>\n Strengthen labor rights and broaden opportunities for\u00a0collective bargaining.Advance\u00a0guardrails against harmful uses of AI at work.Support and promote\u00a0copyright and intellectual property protections.Develop a worker-centered\u00a0workforce development and training\u00a0system.\u00a0Institutionalize \u201cworker voice\u201d within AI research and development.Require\u00a0transparency and accountability\u00a0in AI applications.Model best practices for AI use with\u00a0government procurement.Protect workers\u2019 civil rights and uphold democratic integrity.<\/p>\n The decisions that politicians make on AI right now are going to shape the next decades for working people.\u00a0AI should work for us!<\/p>\n TEXAS LABOR FAMILY NEWS\ud83c\udfc3 ON THE MOVE<\/p>\n UNITE HERE Local 23 and workers at the Marriott Marquis in Downtown Houston just\u00a0won a new contract<\/a> with higher wages, lower health care costs, and more!<\/p>\n United Association (UA) just\u00a0reached 400,000 members<\/a>!\u00a0<\/p>\n UA Local 211 (Houston)<\/a> apprentices made history at the UA District 3 Apprentice Contest:\u00a0Dawson Atkinson (first place in HVACR) and\u00a0Angel Platas (third place in Pipefitting) are moving on to the UA National Apprentice Contest.\u00a0<\/p>\n International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) Local 49 (Lubbock)<\/a> and\u00a0UA Local 142 (San Antonio)<\/a>\u00a0are building new training facilities for the next generation of apprentices!\u00a0<\/p>\n Congratulations to\u00a0International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 66\u2019s\u00a0Devayne Darling<\/a> and\u00a0IBEW Local 716\u2019s\u00a0Taylor Channing<\/a>\u00a0(a Ruth Ellinger alum) for topping out to the classification of journeyman lineman in Houston.\u00a0<\/p>\n \ud83d\udc90 IN MEMORY<\/p>\n Brother\u00a0Starkey C. \u201cButch\u201d Grizzle<\/a>, retired member of\u00a0SMART Local 67 (San Antonio), passed away on May 30 at the age of 82.<\/p>\n Brother\u00a0Christopher \u201cRena\u201d Joseph Huff<\/a>, a member of\u00a0International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 66 (Houston) known as \u201cShorty\u201d to his co-workers, passed away on Jun. 5 at the age of 54.<\/p>\n Brother\u00a0Tim Mahoney<\/a>, member of\u00a0Texas State Employees Union (TSEU – CWA Local 6186) passed away on May 27 at the age of 74.<\/p>\n Brother\u00a0Trenton McBride<\/a>,\u00a0a 10-year member of\u00a0Teamsters Local 767 at Molson Coors, passed away recently.<\/p>\n UAW Local 276 (Arlington) mourns the passing of members and co-workers Brother\u00a0Rev. Ellis Ford Jr.<\/a>, Sister\u00a0Shirlona E. Henley<\/a>,\u00a0and Brother\u00a0Kojo Simmons<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Brother\u00a0Dominique Jarmain Wrice<\/a>, a 23-year member of\u00a0Teamsters Local 767 at UPS, passed away on Jun. 2 at the age of 42.\u00a0<\/p>\n Our hearts go out to their friends, family, and union siblings.<\/p>\n SOLIDARITY CORNER: EVENTS & ACTIONS\ud83d\udea8 TAKE ACTION<\/p>\n SUPPORT Glaziers Local 1778\u2019s strike against Spring Glass ADD YOUR NAME:\u00a0Tell Transdev \/ DART \u2014 FAIR CONTRACT NOW!<\/a> CALL:\u00a0Tell Congress: No Blank Checks for ICE!<\/a>\u00a0 \ud83d\udcc6 EVENTS THIS WEEK<\/p>\n Thursday, Jun. 11 in Conroe: \u270a\u00a0IUPAT Local 1778 ULP Picket at Spring Glass<\/a> Thursday, Jun. 11 in Houston: \u270a\u00a0UNITE HERE Local 23 Stadium Concessions Workers Speak Out<\/a> Thursday, Jun. 11 in Austin: \u270a\u00a0Education Rally at Austin ISD Headquarters<\/a> Sunday, Jun. 14 in Canyon: \ud83d\udc99\u00a0Amarillo Construction Hike for Hope<\/a> Sunday, Jun. 14 online: \ud83d\udc69\ud83c\udffb\u200d\ud83c\udfeb\u00a0Texas AFL-CIO Training: Social Media Organizing for Retirees<\/a> Tuesday, Jun. 16 online: \ud83d\udc69\ud83c\udffb\u200d\ud83c\udfeb\u00a0AFL-CIO Training: Volunteer Recruitment<\/a> Wednesday, Jun. 17 in San Marcos: \u270a\u00a0TSEU Court Support Public Demonstration for Dr. Tom Alter<\/a> Wednesday, Jun. 17 online:\u00a0\ud83d\udc69\ud83c\udffb\u200d\ud83c\udfeb\u00a0AFL-CIO Training: AI – Election Protection & Deepfakes<\/a> Thursday, Jun. 18 online: \ud83d\udc69\ud83c\udffb\u200d\ud83c\udfeb\u00a0AFL-CIO Training: Budgeting for AFL-CIO Federated Bodies – Federating Fundamentals<\/a> See all upcoming Texas labor events here<\/a>.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcc6 APPLICATIONS & PROGRAMS<\/p>\n DEADLINE Jun. 17: Enter the Union Plus\u00a0Unions Power America Hometown Heroes Contest<\/a> DEADLINE Jun. 24:\u00a0Apply for the next\u00a0Texas-based AFL-CIO Organizing Institute (OI)<\/a>\u00a0 \ud83d\udcaa TEXAS UNION JOBS\ud83d\udcf8\u00a0PHOTO OF THE WEEK<\/p>\n For more than 45 years, skilled union glaziers with\u00a0IUPAT Local 1778 have helped build Houston\u2019s schools, hospitals, offices, and communities while maintaining the highest standards of safety, training, and craftsmanship. Today, they are fighting to protect good union jobs, fair working conditions, and the work they have performed with pride for decades!\u00a0<\/p>\n Did you enjoy this newsletter? Sign up now here to get it in your inbox!<\/a><\/p>\n
Leonard Aguilar & Lorraine Montemayor<\/p>\n
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) District Council 10, Glaziers Local 1778 members are on an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) strike against Spring Glass & Mirror across Houston. Take action today:\u00a0<\/p>\n
After months of bargaining for a fair contract for paratransit workers employed by Transdev (a contractor for Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART)) represented by\u00a0ATU Local 1338, workers voted 99% to strike and shut down the property!\u00a0Add your name NOW to tell Transdev leadership: FAIR CONTRACT NOW!<\/a>\u00a0Take action here<\/a>.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s time for Congress to do their job and refuse to use taxpayer dollars to fund agencies that are accountable to no one. Workers want affordability and stability, not fear and chaos!\u00a0Take action here<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Join members of\u00a0IUPAT Glaziers Local 1778, who are on strike over Unfair Labor Practices (ULP) as they continue fighting for a fair contract after nearly two years of negotiations.\u00a0Details<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Ahead of the World Cup, Houston stadium workers will hold a press conference and speak to the Harris County Commissioner\u2019s Court to demand respect on the job.\u00a0Details<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Join\u00a0Education Austin members to rally for transparency and the protection of our schools ahead of proposed budget cuts and layoffs.\u00a0Details<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Join\u00a0IBEW Local 602 for a day of fellowship in the beauty of Palo Duro Canyon. Your participation supports mental health awareness in the construction industry.\u00a0Details<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Join\u00a0Texas Alliance for Retired Americans (TARA)\u00a0members and the\u00a0Texas AFL-CIO\u00a0to dive into social media, focusing on how we can organize Texas retirees online.\u00a0Details<\/a>.<\/p>\n
This workshop will support anyone responsible for building a deep volunteer base for their union or federation.\u00a0Details<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Join\u00a0Texas State Employees Union and allies to offer support to\u00a0Dr. Tom Alter during his public plea hearing regarding his unjust firing from Texas State University.\u00a0Details<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Join us for this training session as we explore these important topics and equip you with the skills to spot election deepfakes and uncover who’s behind these tactics.\u00a0Details<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n
This training will focus on developing a budget and utilizing it to track and analyze income and spending. We will also focus on how a budget can be a helpful tool during times of crisis.\u00a0Details<\/a>.<\/p>\n
In honor of their 40th anniversary, Union Plus is giving away more than $150,000 in prizes to union members.\u00a0Details here<\/a>.<\/p>\n
This training is designed to provide union organizers with the tools to empower working people to WIN respect and dignity on the job! OI is open to all national and local AFL-CIO affiliated unions with staff or members. Union members must be in good standing and sponsored by their unions.\u00a0Details here<\/a>.<\/p>\n