Gulf Coast Unions Unanimously Endorse Lina Hidalgo for Harris County Judge

Following a unanimous vote by union delegates, the 92 unions of the Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation, AFL-CIO today announced their endorsement of Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo.

Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation Executive Director Hany Khalil said, “Over her past three years in office, Judge Hidalgo has delivered for working people. From implementing new construction standards and expanding opportunities for good paying jobs, to COVID safety measures that kept workers safe and healthy on the job, to standing up to attacks on voting rights — Lina has stood shoulder to shoulder with unions in the fight for a fair shot for all Harris County workers. And we are proud to tell you today — with one, unified voice — the working people of Harris County stand with Lina.”

This is the first time the unions of the Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation, AFL-CIO have ever voted to approve an early endorsement of a candidate or elected official. The 92 unions of the Gulf Coast AFL-CIO represent over 50,000 working people in Harris County.

Throughout her tenure in office, Judge Hidalgo has worked closely with the labor movement to develop, pass, and implement policies to expand opportunity and keep working people safe, healthy, and in their homes.

Among the accomplishment of Harris County Commissioner’s Court since Lina was sworn into office in 2019:

• Raised the County minimum wage to $15 an hour for employees and certain construction contract workers
• Implemented family-friendly workplace policies, including 12 weeks paid parental leave for both mothers and fathers and additional sick leave to care for ill children
• Stood up for common-sense public health measures to keep working families safe, despite efforts by Governor Abbott to block them
• Expanded access to the polls through innovative programs, such as drive through and 24 hour voting
• Established work safe guidelines for grocery and construction workers
• Implemented one of the most effective housing assistance programs in the country
• Invested in a complete census count to ensure working families in Harris County receive the assistance they need after state leaders failed to do so
• Created a fund to provide frontline workers with direct cash assistance
• Required those who do business with the County to support and protect workers when considering awards for construction contracts.

Jennifer Hernandez of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 88 (IUPAT DC 88) said, “When the pandemic hit 18 months ago, shows and conventions stopped and industry slowed, causing many of our members to lose jobs and income, and potentially their homes, too. Judge Hidalgo stepped up and worked with county, city, and community partners to launch the most effective rental assistance program in the county. In total, the Houston/Harris County Emergency Rental Assistance Program has kept over 67,000 working families in their homes — including many of our members.”

Candis Houston of the Aldine American Federation of Teachers (Aldine AFT) said, “In the fight for safe schools, Judge Hidalgo has been a consistent and stalwart ally. When the pandemic began, she listened to the experts and took steps to stop the spread. And when Governor Abbott tried to block local leaders from implementing common sense safety measures, she led the resistance, following the science and using every option at her disposal to keep our school safe.”

Lee Medley of the United Steelworkers District 13 (USW District 13) said, “Lina Hidalgo has fought for us for the last three years. I’m proud to stand here beside her today and tell her and anyone else who will listen — we’re ready to fight for Lina.”

Claude Cummings of Communications Workers of America District 6 (CWA District 6) said, “From the very beginning and up to this very day, Lina has told the truth while politicians in Austin lied. She has acted to save lives while politicians in Austin let Texans die. I am very proud that Labor has given Lina Hidalgo our unanimous endorsement. It is our pledge to work as hard as we possibly can over the next 10 months to not just help Lina, but to do what is best for our members and every person in Harris County — re-elect Lina Hidalgo as our County Judge.”

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The Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation (TGCALF), AFL-CIO unites the power of 92 unions across 13 counties to advocate for working families in the Texas Gulf Coast, including over 50,000 workers in Harris County. We mobilize our members and community partners to demand a fair shot at better lives for all working people — regardless of the color of our skin, which country we come from, or whom we love. Learn more: www.gcaflcio.org/