When the Texas legislature is in session, I feel like hiding. But Jessica Wolff came to the Dallas AFL-CIO with plans to fight back against every bit of reactionary legislation and to develop support for the positive bills. She will speak to the Dallas Central Labor Council on March 16, and she'll be back in Dallas several times this year.
Right now, Jessica is organizing a Town Hall meeting to help gather our strength for dealing with the Capitol. Dallas labor activists will be looking forward to it.
All of Texas labor works together through the United Labor Legislative Committee. They meet at AFL-CIO headquarters in Austin every day during the session. They review legislation and develop strategies together. Communications Director Ed Sills (ed@texasaflcio.org) keeps the rest of us informed on what's happening and what we can do about it.
The Texas AFL-CIO sent this out:
We're firm believers that all working people deserve a fair shot to get ahead, but some politicians in the Texas Legislature are determined to put roadblocks in our way. There are several pieces of legislation that we are focused on this week, and your legislator needs to hear from you.
Bills to Raise the Minimum Wage. There are several bills in the Texas Legislature that would raise the state’s minimum wage of $7.25, which keeps working people trapped in poverty. Raising wages would also boost consumer spending and increase the purchasing power of millions of low-wage workers. But some politicians are siding with greedy corporations that want to continue paying poverty wages, so we need to make our voices heard!
Senate Bill 13 would deny public workers the freedom to use payroll deductions to pay their union dues and fees. This bill unfairly targets teachers, correctional officers, nurses, CPS workers, and other public servants. Extreme politicians want to undermine public servants’ unions and make it harder for these workers to advocate for respect in the workplace.
House Bill 648 and Senate Bill 452 would prohibit Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) on public projects, hurting taxpayers and construction workers. PLAs help ensure construction projects are completed on time and on budget, while protecting workers’ wages and working conditions. If we want our roads, schools, and bridges to be built by highly trained, skilled Texas workers, we need to protect PLAs.
Protect secure retirements. An anti-pension ideologue, Josh McGee, has been appointed to oversee the public pension funds in Texas, putting the retirement security of thousands of teachers, firefighters, and other public servants at risk. But your Senator can still reject the nomination of Josh McGee to the State Pension Review Board.
Your voice makes an impact. Make sure your legislators know where you stand on these important issues.