ALF Weekly Report — May 20th
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.
Plumbers Local 68 Leads Successful Fight for Licensing Bill
After years of hard work, the Texas Senate passed HB636 last week. The margin was large enough that the bill automatically became law. The bill re-establishes plumbing regulation and the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners, which oversees and regulates professional standards in the industry.
Gulf Coast SIU Leader Recognized by AFL-CIO During AAPI Heritage Month
APALA Texas President and Seafarers International Union leader Shwe Aung was recognized by the AFL-CIO this week for his work in the labor movement.
We interviewed Shwe earlier this month to learn more about his work. Click here to watch.
Galveston Labor Leaders Show Up for Endorsed Candidates in La Marque Runoff
We’re proud to support Kimberley Yancy for La Marque City Council District A. If you live in La Marque, mark your calendars — early voting in the runoff is June 7th -15th and Election Day is June 19th!
Area Unions Distribute Winter Freeze Aid to Members
Thousands of union members across the Gulf Coast were impacted by the Winter Storm. In order to help member families recover, the Texas labor movement raised and distributed funds to unions throughout the Gulf Coast. Our members are not alone during tough times — your unions stand with you.
Houston McDonald’s Workers Fight for $15
On May 19th, workers at the McDonald’s on Almeda Genoa in South Houston joined a nationwide strike action to demand a pay increase to $15/hr. Houston was one of the 30 cities nationwide participating in the strike and the only city in Texas.
Union Members Help Keep over 250 Working People in Pasadena Housed
Last Saturday in Pasadena, union members — including recently-elected Pasadena ISD trustee and AFT member Crystal Davila — helped keep over 250 working people in their homes thanks to hard work of dozens of volunteers.
During #KeepHarrisHoused events, we help working people at risk of eviction apply for rental assistance and connect with legal aid. Many of the folks we help don’t have access to technology or have literacy or language barriers that prevent them from applying. Many others are experiencing trauma that makes it difficult to complete the application, including many who have lost loved ones to COVID.
All Gulf Coast House Republicans Vote Against January 6th Insurrection Probe
A bipartisan majority in the US House voted on Wednesday to launch a Congressional investigation into the January 6th insurrection, including 2 Texas Republicans. All Gulf Coast Republicans, including Dan Crenshaw and Troy Nehls, voted to block the inquiry into the most dangerous attack on American Democracy in modern history.
Huge Corporations are Saving $10 Billion on Texas Taxes, and You’re Paying for It
As millions of Texans struggle with the economic devastation of COVID-19, the biggest corporate tax giveaway in Texas has helped businesses cut more than $10 billion from their property taxes — and there are no limits on the program’s exponential growth.
Governor Abbott Rejects Federal Unemployment Benefits in a Blow to Hundreds of Thousands of Working Texans
Despite clear evidence of ongoing need, Gov. Greg Abbott decided this week to cut off federal Unemployment Insurance benefits before they were scheduled to expire. This will harm workers and businesses in service to partisan ideology, Texas AFL-CIO President Rick Levy said.
Another Blunder by Governor Abbott: Rushing to Lift Mask Requirements in Schools
This week, Governor Abbott also announced he would intervene to prevent local school districts from determining mask policies. The governor’s new verdict takes a blanket approach to addressing what is still extremely dangerous for some Texans — a return to school unmasked. Abbott also is dismissing the need for safety with summer school sessions.
Texas Labor Organizations Lead Thirst Strike to Protest Dangerous Preemption Bill
On Wednesday, Workers Defense Project was joined by unions across the state in a thirst strike to demand protections for water breaks and protest Senate Bill 14. Texas has the deadliest construction industry in the country, and this bill would roll back local protections for workers, including requirements to provide workers with water breaks.
Texas Labor Organizer Montserrat Garibay Goes to Washington
As a Latina immigrant, former Texas AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Montserrat Garibay broke barriers in the Texas labor movement. She recently entered the national stage as an advisor to President Biden’s Department of Education.
5 Austin-area Juiceland Locations Close, Limit Hours Amid Workers Strike
Four Juiceland shops are closed and one is running on limited operations in Austin amid an ongoing strike between workers and company leaders over pay and worker protections.
‘A slap in the face’: California Uber and Lyft Drivers Criticize Pay Cuts Under Prop 22
Uber and Lyft drivers in California are up in arms about the effects of Proposition 22 since the controversial state law went into effect in January, after an aggressive and expensive lobbying campaign in favor of the ballot amendment by the ride-share app companies.
Audubon Society Refuses to Recognize Its Staff Union, But Employees Say Victory Is Near
In March, news broke of a union drive inside Audubon, the century-old bird-focused nonprofit whose reach spans the country. By the time it became public, the organizing had already been going on for nearly a year. Staffers say that two brutal rounds of layoffs last year — particularly one that struck on Earth Day 2020 — made them realize that it was time to build a safety net.
Get Vaccinated!
Everyone age 12 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.
Sites in Harris County and across the region no longer required advance registration.
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
As if public schools needed more to worry about, some in the Legislature want to make it easier for the state to take over a school district. Educators defeated House Bill 3270, but its companion, Senate Bill 1365, is very much alive and headed for a vote.
