The Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation Weekly Report comes out (nearly) every Thursday with news and updates relevant to the Gulf Coast labor movement. To subscribe, click here.
Workers Defense Project, UH Workers Protest After Claims Rejected Without Fair Investigation
Workers have come together with students at the University of Houston to demand that exploitation and wage theft stop happening on their campuses.
Unions Get Out the Vote for Labor Allies in May 1st Local Elections
This month, members from IUPAT DC 88, Fort Bend AFT, Houston Federation of Teachers, Ironworkers Local 84, Lone Star AFT, and Spring Branch HFT have come together to reach out to union members in support of labor-endorsed candidates in Pasadena ISD, Fort Bend ISD and Spring Branch ISD!
Early voting continues through April 27th — election day is May 1st.
Click here for a full list of AFL-CIO endorsements
Unions Work with Allies to Help Working People at Risk of Eviction
Last Saturday, union members from Aldine AFT, IATSE Local 51, IATSE Local 896, OPEIU Local 129 and IUPAT DC 88 joined Commissioner Adrian Garcia, Representative Armando Walle and community allies to help working people in Aldine at immediate risk of eviction.
Labor and Community Activists Protest Voter Suppression Bills in Texas Legislature
With ‘Jim Crow 2.0’ voter suppression laws still under consideration in the Texas legislature, approximately 200 labor and community activists joined an action calling on the Greater Houston Partnership to take a firm stance in opposition to HB6 and SB7.
SIU, UNITE HERE Members join Solidarity Action in Support of Burmese Workers
Union brothers and sisters from the SIU, UNITE HERE, and others joined protestors on Saturday to show their firm solidarity with the people of Burma opposing a military takeover of their government. Unions are leading the fight for democracy.
Houston-area Unions Call for Police Reform in Wake of Chauvin Conviction
In the wake of the conviction of former Minneapolis officer Derrick Chauvin in the murder of Houstonian George Floyd, Houston-area unions renewed their commitment to racial justice and calls for police reform in the Houston Police Department. Click here for the full statement from the Area Labor Federation. The Houston Federation of Teachers and AFSCME/HOPE Local 123 also released statements.
Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia Announces Support for the PRO Act
In an exciting development this week, Sen, Joe Manchin announced he would support and co-sponsor the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act. With Manchin’s support, there are now 47 co-sponsors in the US Senate, just 3 short of a majority.
US Unemployment Claims Fall to Pandemic Low as Economic Recovery Continues
The number of Americans applying for unemployment aid fell last week to 547,000, the lowest point since the pandemic struck and an encouraging sign that layoffs are slowing on the strength of an improving job market.
Unemployment Reform Bills Pass Key Committee in Texas Legislature
A far-reaching set of Unemployment Insurance reform bills won passage this in the House Business and Industry Committee.
This is the most significant package of pro-worker bills on Unemployment Insurance to move through a House committee in memory. Each of the seven bills is now eligible to be considered for floor debate in the House. The measures dramatically help workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. And, together, they stand as a major, on-point response to a pandemic that has seen more than 4 million Texans out of work and applying for benefits.
We’re thankful to labor allies who fought for these badly needed reforms, including State Rep. Ana Hernandez of Houston.
The ALF and the Texas AFL-CIO will continue to work to pass these measures, all of which fit into our 10-Point Plan for Unemployment Insurance reform: https://www.texasaflcio.org/10-point-plan
Mine Workers Union Joins Climate Activists to Back Biden’s $2 trillion Infrastructure Plan, Transition to Climate Jobs
This week, the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) came out in support of President Joe Biden’s plan to transition the country away from fossil fuels with the caveat of asking for a robust transition strategy for its workers. The UMWA is asking Congress to provide funds for jobs in the renewable energy sector for miners dislocated by the transition.
Record Number of Journalists Unionize during COVID Pandemic
A historic number of newsroom unions have formed in the past year, including the Dallas Morning News, Fort Worth Star Telegram, and Austin American Statesman. Journalists in search of economic stability focused on joining unions as layoffs were happening at the onset of the pandemic. Other factors that led to an increase of union membership to the tune of 1500 more than the year before include representation and inclusion as well as media companies going public to potentially merge.
Amazon Warehouse Workers Energized by Bessemer Launch Union Drive in Staten Island
The Amazon Labor Union (ALU) was created by a group of workers in Staten Island in response to the failed attempt to unionize in Bessemer. This employee led group feels that their position will have better success because they are starting from within and in a state that recognizes the importance of unions.
Striking Charter Workers Build ISP Co-op Where ‘Profits are Returned to Users’
Workers from IBEW Local #3 who were instrumental in building most of the Internet infrastructure in New York City have come together to provide Internet service for those who need it most. This local has been on one of the longest strikes in US History since Carter Communications took away their benefits in 2017. Their company will allow customers to be part owners and save them money.
RDWSU Files Complaints Against Amazon for Union Busting in Bessemer
The Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union filed 23 objections in response to the Bessemer Vote to organize. Some tactics that were the focus of their objections include: Collection Box Installation, Threatening Workplace Layoffs and Facility Closure, Loss of Pay and Benefits, and Intimidation. RWDSU maintains the free and uncoerced opinion of workers were violated by these practices.
Get Vaccinated!
Everyone age 16 and older, regardless of occupation or health status, is now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine in Texas, according to state authorities. You can find the full list of Texas vaccine providers here. You do not need to be a resident of a county or city to register.
This week, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo announced that sites in Harris County no longer required advance registration. Most other regional counties are doing the same. if you’ve been waiting, it’s time to get your shot!
To find more information about vaccination sites, click on the links below (this is not a complete list of all vaccine providers)
- Harris County
- City of Houston
- Galveston County
- Montgomery County
- Fort Bend County
- Waller County
- Brazoria County
- Brazos County
- Chambers County
- Liberty County
- Walker County
- Austin County
- Matagorda County
- Wharton County
We’re closer than we’ve ever been to passing the PRO Act — and the business lobby is scared. Join us on Thursday, April 29th at Diez Park in Houston for our Protecting the Right to Organize Rally and help us send a message — it’s time to pass the PRO Act!
