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Unions Know How to Fight This; Let's Stand Together

At long last, a broad cross-section of America is saying, again and again, "We are in this together." Unions have long known that when we speak together and act together with one voice, we gain power. As working people heed warnings based on science, we all gain power to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Legislative Lowdown - Jan. 4, 2019

Welcome to the 2019 edition of The ULLCO Sentinel. “ULLCO” is the United Labor Legislative Committee, the lobbying arm of the Texas AFL-CIO representing Texas labor unions and participating allies.

Today is Day Minus-4 of the regular session of the 86th Texas Legislature. Blastoff and the start of a 140-day clock takes place Tuesday, Jan. 8th, with the session running until Monday, May 27th, Memorial Day. 

Change of Officers at Coastal Bend Central Labor Council Comes With a Story

The Texas AFL-CIO congratulates the new officers of the Coastal Bend Central Labor Council following a recent change in leadership that bears some discussion.

Kristie Veit, who among many important roles in the Texas labor movement is the daughter of former Texas AFL-CIO President Becky Moeller, stepped aside after nearly four years as CLC President and will serve as Secretary-Treasurer with new President San Juan Garcia of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

Welcome Amanda Cavazos Weems as Texas AFL-CIO Field Organizer

The Texas AFL-CIO welcomes Amanda Cavazos Weems as Field Organizer. Sister Cavazos Weems will provide an added spark to various forms of organizing.

Texas Union Member Wins Prestigious National Award

Jean Hervey of Dallas, a Vice President of Workers United SEIU, has won a prestigious national award recognizing her years of work raising funds to combat sickle-cell anemia.

Sister Hervey received the Addie Wyatt Award, named for the late union and civil rights leader whose long run of pioneering organizing in the Chicago meat-packing industry went hand in hand with her historic leadership in civil rights actions alongside the likes of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Bills Good for Working People Outnumber Bad and Ugly on First Day of Pre-Filing

Pre-filing for the 86th regular session of the Texas Legislature began yesterday with a new, improved mix of the good, the bad and the ugly. 

 A very strong group of bills raising wages, strengthening pensions and other workplace benefits, expanding health care and improving access to higher education were filed. Add to that several measures addressing the problem of sexual harassment.

Texas is a battleground state. It is time to win the battle.

Brothers and Sisters:

Short and sweet: Today we can build worker power at the voting booths. 

Working families have streamed to the polls – more than half our movement has already voted in many key Texas locations – and records for early voting have fallen. 

Texas Labor: Thank You, Beto O'Rourke

Physicists will tell you time travel - at least the variety that is popular in science fiction - is a physical impossibility. Time-jumps in politics, however, may be a different story.

Attack on Pittsburgh Synagogue Was Attack on All of Us

The infamous Pittsburgh synagogue massacre that killed 11 Jewish worshipers celebrating the Sabbath and the formal naming of a baby was an attack on all of us. The shooting took place literally in Mr. Rogers's neighborhood, aimed in pure hate at a community observing the Sabbath and engaged in prayer.
 
Like the mass murders at the First Baptist church in Sutherland Springs, Texas and the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, the gunman sought to undermine the freedom of religion that defines our nation.