Texas AFL-CIO COPE Announces Runoff Endorsements

The political arm of the Texas AFL-CIO today announced new endorsements in the May 22 runoff elections.

“A large majority of COPE-endorsed candidates won outright nominations in the primary, but there is much more work to do to build a better Texas,” Texas AFL-CIO President Rick Levy said. “Voter turnout in the primaries was the strongest in many years. That momentum needs to continue. We are urging continued support for candidates who will fight for a fair shot for every working family to get ahead in life.”

The list is subject to further additions: 

CD 7 – Laura Moser

CD 21 – Dual endorsement of Joseph Kopser and Mary Wilson

CD 23 – Dual endorsement of Gina Ortiz Jones and Rick Trevino

CD 27 – Eric Holguin

SD 17 – Dual endorsement of Rita Lucido and Fran Watson

HD 47 – Elaina Fowler

Also, for House District 13 the Texas AFL-CIO COPE endorsed Cecil Webster in a May 5 special election and in the Nov. 6 general election.

These endorsements are in addition to candidates who received the COPE endorsement in the March 6 primary election and whose endorsements carry over into the runoffs. The full list of runoff endorsees may be found at www.texasaflcio.org/runoff.

13 de marzo 2018

Comunicado de Prensa

Contactos: Rick Levy,
Montserrat Garibay
ó Ed Sills, (512)477-6195

El AFL-CIO de Texas critica el fallo que permite que la ley SB 4 continúe   

  La Secretaría-Tesorera del AFL-CIO de Texas, Montserrat Garibay, criticó duramente el 5 ° fallo de la Corte de Apelaciones del Circuito de los Estados Unidos que permite que la mayor parte de la ley SB 4, la propuesta de perfil racial, entre en vigor:

   "SB 4 coloca a Texas en el camino más bajo tanto en la política de inmigración y el lugar de trabajo. Esta ley alentará la discriminación basada en el color de la piel. Daña mucho el papel de los policías que quieren evitar convertirse en fuerzas de deportación locales y en vez de buscar una relación de confianza con las comunidades".

   "En el lugar de trabajo, la SB 4 alentará a los empleadores inescrupulosos a que amenazan con deportar a los trabajadores inmigrantes simplemente porque se atreven a buscar mejores condiciones o intentar cobrar los salarios no pagados".

   "El AFL-CIO de Texas apoya una reforma migratoria integral que garantice que los trabajadores inmigrantes tengan los mismos derechos que los demás. La decisión de hoy de mantener una ley racista es un gran paso equivocado".

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Opeiu298/afl-cio

March 13, 2018

News Release

Contacts: Rick Levy, Montserrat Garibay
Or Ed Sills, (512)477-6195
 

Texas AFL-CIO Slams Ruling That Lets SB 4 Proceed

Texas AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Montserrat Garibay strongly criticized today’s 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that allows most of SB 4 – the racial profiling bill – to take effect:

  “SB 4 places Texas on the low road of both immigration and workplace policy. It will encourage unequal treatment based on the color of one’s skin. It does major damage to the role of neighborhood law officers who want to avoid becoming local deportation forces and instead seek a partnership with communities.”

  “In the workplace, SB 4 will encourage unscrupulous employers who threaten deportation against immigrant workers simply because they dare to seek better conditions or try to collect unpaid wages.”

  “The Texas AFL-CIO supports comprehensive immigration reform that would ensure immigrant workers have the same rights as anyone else. Today’s ruling upholding a racist law is a big step in the wrong direction.”

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Opeiu298/afl-cio

7 de Marzo 2018

Comunicado de Prensa

Contactos: Rick Levy, 
Montserrat Garibay ó
Ed Sills, 512-477-6195

En las urnas, los votantes de Texas buscan progreso, manteniéndose al corriente en prioridades estatales principales

  En una elección primaria con pocos temas consistentes, los trabajadores de la AFL-CIO COPE de Texas ayudaron a hacer historia y controlar el avance de una agenda de derecha que quebrantaría las escuelas públicas, reduciría el acceso a la atención médica y comprometería aún más el futuro de los inmigrantes, Dijo el presidente de la AFL-CIO de Texas, Rick Levy.

  "Los trabajadores tienen mucho que aplaudir", dijo Levy. "En la parte principal de la lista: aumento de la concurrencia y un mayor compromiso no solo de nuestros miembros y afiliados, sino de la gente trabajadora en todo el estado. La participación ha creado un nuevo impulso y esperanza para lograr una mejor Texas este noviembre y más allá".

  "Nos enorgulleció participar en varios momentos históricos, incluyendo la presunta elección de las dos primeras latinas de Texas al Congreso", dijo Levy. "Estamos entusiasmados con que Beto O'Rourke lleve la lucha por las familias trabajadoras a Rafael Cruz en la carrera por el Senado de de los Estados Unidos. Seguiremos apoyando a Lupe Valdez en su elección de segunda vuelta porqué ella apoya nuestros valores y prioridades ".

  "Ya sea que hablemos de primarias demócratas o republicanas, nos enorgullece que los trabajadores apoyen a candidatos que luchan por una oportunidad justa para que cada familia trabajadora salga adelante en la vida. Los votantes eligieron repetidamente escuelas públicas de la comunidad antes que bonos arriesgados para la privatización de la educación pública y pusieron buenos empleos con un salario justo y seguridad de jubilación antes de las distracciones divisivas ".

  "Los tejanos actuaron de forma independiente e incluso rechazaron tres de los cuatro intentos de un gobernador hambriento de poder para interferir en sus comunidades locales", dijo Levy. "Al rechazar la ofensiva del gobernador, los votantes afirmaron el principio central de Texas de que el mejor gobierno es el gobierno más cercano al pueblo".

  La Secretaría-Tesorera de la AFL-CIO de Texas, Montserrat Garibay, dijo que la federación laboral del estado se enorgullece del nivel de participación en los Consejos Laborales Centrales, en los sindicatos locales y entre los miembros sindicales individuales.

  "Esperamos que las cifras muestren que los votos de los trabajadores estuvieron bien representados en una fuerte participación general que se equilibró mucho más estrechamente entre los principales partidos que en las elecciones anteriores", dijo Garibay. "Créanme, los trabajadores tienen incentivos para presentarse a votar este año".

  Garibay, la primera latina en ocupar un alto cargo en la AFL-CIO de Texas, también celebró el logro de las dos primeras latinas que Texas enviará al Congreso: la senadora Sylvia García y la jueza del condado Verónica Escobar.

  "La historia se hizo dos veces en una noche", dijo Garibay. "Las mayorías en los campos de candidatos declararon que ya pasó mucho tiempo y que la senadora García y la juez Escobar se ganaron lugares atrasados n la historia".

  Los Consejos Laborales Centrales y la AFL-CIO COPE de Texas pueden considerar endosos revisados medida que las elecciones avanzan, en parte en base a los resultados de ayer.

  La AFL-CIO de Texas es una federación laboral estatal que consiste en 237,000 miembros sindicales afiliados que abogan por las familias trabajadoras en Texas.

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Opeiu298/afl-cio

At Polls, Texas Voters Seek Progress, Stay in Mainstream on Key State Priorities

  In a primary election with few consistent themes, the working people of the Texas AFL-CIO COPE helped make history and check the advance of a right-wing agenda that would undermine public schools, reduce access to health care and further compromise the future of immigrants, Texas AFL-CIO President Rick Levy said.

  “Working people have plenty to cheer,” Levy said. “At the top of the list: surging turnout and heightened engagement of not only our members and affiliates, but of working people across the state. The turnout has created new momentum and hope for achieving a better Texas, this November and beyond.”

  “We were proud to participate in several history-making moments, including the presumed election of the first two Texas Latinas to Congress,” Levy said. “We are excited about Beto O’Rourke’s taking the fight for working families to Rafael Cruz in the race for U.S. Senate and we will continue to stand with Lupe Valdez as she brings our values and priorities into the runoff for Governor.”

  “Whether we are talking Democratic or Republican primaries, we are proud that working people supported candidates who fight for a fair shot for every working family to get ahead in life. Voters repeatedly chose neighborhood public schools ahead of risky private school vouchers and put good jobs with fair pay and retirement security ahead of divisive distractions.”

  “Texans acted independently and even rejected three of four attempts by a power-hungry Governor to interfere in their local communities,” Levy said. “In rejecting the Governor’s offensive, voters affirmed the core Texas principle that the best government is the government closest to the people.” 

  Texas AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Montserrat Garibay said the state labor federation is proud of the level of engagement in Central Labor Councils, in local unions and among individual union members.

  “We expect the numbers will show the votes of working people were well-represented in a strong overall turnout that was balanced much more closely between the major parties than in previous elections,” Garibay said. “Believe me, working people have incentive to show up to vote this year.”

  Garibay – the first Latina to hold a top office in the Texas AFL-CIO – also celebrated the achievement of the first two Latinas that Texas will send to Congress – Sen. Sylvia Garcia and County Judge Veronica Escobar.

  “History was made twice in one night,” Garibay said. “Solid majorities in multi-candidate fields declared that it is long past time and Sen. Garcia and Judge Escobar have earned overdue places in history.”

  Central Labor Councils and the Texas AFL-CIO COPE may consider revised endorsements as the election moves forward, in part based on yesterday’s results.

The Texas AFL-CIO is a state labor federation consisting of 237,000 affiliated union members who advocate for working families in Texas.

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Opeiu298/afl-cio

Feb. 22, 2018

News Release

Contacts: Joe Hamill, AFSCME, (720) 206-4378 or
Ed Sills, Texas AFL-CIO Communications
Director, (512) 477-6195

Houston Community to Come Together  On Working People's Day of Action to Defend Freedoms

  As part of a nationwide Working People’s Day of Action, a coalition of community leaders will hold a news conference in Houston to sound the alarm on and demand an end to the rigged system that undermines freedoms of working people at the behest of certain billionaires and allied corporate interests.

  The event – versions of which will take place across the nation – is set for 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24 in front of the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, 500 Clay St., in Houston. Religious leaders and others will join advocates for women’s, immigrant and civil rights, labor unions and environmental justice. Confirmed speakers include U.S. Reps. Al Green and Sheila Jackson Lee of Houston.

  “Fifty years ago, Martin Luther King Jr. joined striking sanitation workers in Memphis who sought economic justice through the mechanism of a labor union,” said Jere Talley, who has worked as a Senior Human Resources Specialist with the Houston Police Department for 25 years and serves as the Vice President for the Houston Organization of Public Employees AFSCME Local 123.

 “Dr. King was assassinated during this mission, but his advocacy for the freedom of working people to speak up together lives on, unfortunately still in crisis. On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear Janus v. AFSCME Council 31, a case that has the potential to fulfill a long-sought right-wing quest to stifle the ability of public employees across the nation to organize for better working conditions.”

  John Bland, among the first in Houston to sit in at lunch counters at the dawn of the modern civil rights era and an international officer for the Transport Workers Union, said, “The Janus case is no accident. It is part of a carefully crafted attack on the freedom of working people. In Memphis, Martin Luther King Jr. fought and died for the right of working people to speak up and negotiate for a better deal. And Dr. King fought as well against rigging the rules to diminish health care access, immigrant workers, our public educational institutions and other resources that reduce economic inequality. Our voices at work, in our communities, at the ballot box and on the streets are needed to fight Janus and other attacks on progress in our communities.”

  “A leadership that stands against immigrants, fights to hold wages down, suppresses the right to the ballot box, places a discriminatory ‘bathroom bill’ near the top of its agenda and starves our schools and universities requires resistance and action,” said Raymond Brakens, a call center employee and member of the Texas Organizing Project. “Across the nation, communities today are calling for a recommitment to freedom – freedom from want, freedom from hate, freedom to vote and freedom to join together and speak up in the workplace.”

  “The undermining of freedom for many Texans begins and ends with a lack of access to health care,” Ana Gonzalez of the Workers Defense Project said.

  “Working families in Texas are the backbone of our state’s economy, but too many workers struggle when access to basic health care is limited by politicians, immigration status, and workplaces that do not provide paid sick days. Last week, Austin became the first city in Texas to pass a paid sick leave ordinance. We hope this policy will start a conversation across the state about what kind of Texas we want to be. While some seek to undermine this progress, we will continue to stand up and fight for policies to build power for working families.” 

  Organizations set to attend the news conference include: the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, the Communications Workers of America, the Service Employees International Union, the Texas Organizing Project, the NAACP, the Workers Defense Project, the Transport Workers Union, the Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation and the Texas AFL-CIO.

  Other Working People’s Day of Action events are set to take place in San Diego, Memphis, Washington, D.C., Miami, Chicago, Detroit, St. Paul, New York City, Columbus, Philadelphia and other locations.

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Opeiu298/afl-cio

Feb. 16, 2018

NEWS RELEASE

Contacts: Rick Levy, 
Montserrat Garibay or
Ed Sills, (512) 477-6195

Huge Win for Working People as Austin City Council Adopts Paid Sick Leave Ordinance

  The Texas AFL-CIO celebrates the Austin City Council’s approval early today of the first paid sick leave ordinance in the South.

  The ordinance will help approximately 220,000 Austin working people who get no pay when illness keeps them home.

  “The paid sick leave ordinance adopted by the Austin City Council demonstrates that when working people speak up together in mighty numbers to improve their livelihoods, lawmakers respond,” Levy said.

  “This is a landmark victory that invokes both economic justice and public health,” Levy said. “The Texas AFL-CIO was proud to be part of a broad coalition that set an example for other city councils, state legislatures and Congress. We thank the organizations and individuals – too numerous to list individually – who spoke up together to make this happen.”

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Opeiu298/afl-cio

Feb. 16th, 2018

News Release

Contacts: Rick Levy, 
Montserrat Garibay, or
Ed Sills, 512-477-6195

Texas AFL-CIO COPE Endorses O’Rourke for U.S. Senate

  The action took place at a special called board meeting, superseding a “no endorsement” decision made at the Texas AFL-CIO COPE Convention last month.

  “In the last few weeks, Beto O’Rourke has crisscrossed the state, talking to our members and answering tough questions about where he stands on key issues for working people,” Texas AFL-CIO President Rick Levy said. “His answers to those questions, as well as his strong labor voting record, have demonstrated that he shares our priorities and values. We believe those priorities and values will inform his service as a U.S. Senator.”

  “Our message to Texas elected officials and candidates is this: When you fight for working families, as Beto O’Rourke has done, we will fight for you. When through your deeds and words you attack working people, immigrants, women, senior citizens, veterans or our communities, as Ted Cruz has consistently done, we will oppose you at every turn.”

The Texas AFL-CIO COPE is the political arm of the Texas AFL-CIO, a state labor federation consisting of 237,000 affiliated union members who advocate for working families in Texas.

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Opeiu298/afl-cio

  Gwen was the best of what labor has to offer, and not just because she was a pioneering leader in the Transport Workers Union, a respected member of the Texas AFL-CIO Executive Board, an amazing organizer and a fierce advocate for working families across the state.

  Gwen saw a better future and a way to get there. She defined leadership, mentoring young union activists -- especially young union women -- who will carry on in her footsteps. She was a key player in the broadening of the Dallas AFL-CIO's repertoire and a welcoming figure to Texans trying to grasp what unions do. She had local, state and national admirers. She was one of the kindest people in our movement.

  Gwen knew better days were coming regardless of any one person. She deserved to see them herself. Her death is epically unfair.

  Her partnership with her spouse, Mark York, Secretary-Treasurer of the Dallas AFL-CIO and also a Texas AFL-CIO Executive Board member, was a beautiful, romantic thing to behold. They met on a picket line and lived the union life together. Their strength and love were more than the sum of the parts. That synergy somehow survives in the form of Gwen's legacy.

  Texas AFL-CIO President Rick Levy said Gwen York's contribution to the Texas labor movement was substantial and lasting.

  "The labor movement is in many ways a family," Levy said, "and so it is that we hurt so much today as we mourn the loss of a leader who inspired us so deeply."

  "Sister Gwen York's life was a precious gift to us. She loved the labor movement, and she made it her life's work. She was an incredibly strong woman who understood that all of us get stronger when we share our strength. Though we are much diminished today by this terrible loss, we are so much better off because of what Gwen did for us and with us, making a difference not just in Texas, but in the entire nation."

  "We send thoughts of peace and comfort to our dear Brother Mark and to Gwen's daughter, Alyson, the light of her life."

  Texas AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Montserrat Garibay said Sister York's work in building women's programs at the Texas AFL-CIO is bearing fruit.

  "Gwen was very supportive of the Women's Committee (which was the subject of a key resolution at the Texas AFL-CIO COPE Convention)," Garibay said. "She came to our office and offered her resources without hesitation. She was an open book of knowledge and like a big sister. There was always something special about her."

  The Texas AFL-CIO cannot calculate all the ways Gwen York will be missed, though we will miss her at a bone-deep level. 

  What we can say is that all of us are grieving. The state labor federation offers our condolences to the York family, the TWU, the Dallas AFL-CIO and all who loved Gwen. 

  Arrangements are pending. We will pass along the death notice when it is available. Brother York posted this on Facebook: 

Dear Union Sister's, Brother's, Friends and Family,

  It is with a very heavy heart that I inform you of the homecoming of my wife and your Union Sister, Gwen York. 

  Gwen peacefully transitioned surrounded by the love and peace of her family members; Myself, Daughter Alyson and her Sister Wanda. 

  Details of Funeral Arrangements will follow soon.

Texas AFL-CIO to Press Case to Cornyn's Office In Support of Dreamers and Immigrants Under TPS

  Texas AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Montserrat Garibay will lead a union delegation in a meeting with the staff of U.S. Sen. John Cornyn tomorrow at his Austin office.

  The meeting will be followed by a Texas AFL-CIO news conference at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 7, in front of the Chase Bank Building, 221 West 6th St., in downtown Austin. United We Dream leaders who are directly affected by what Cornyn does next will join the news conference, along with representatives of international unions.

  "The ball is in Sen. Cornyn's court and the nation is watching," Garibay said. "The senator has a key role in determining the fate of hundreds of thousands of 'Dreamers' and Temporary Protected Status holders who are working people and a vital part of our society."

  "To date, the Senator has expressed concern regarding those who could face deportation if these programs expire. Now is the time for concrete action and a tangible commitment that allows Dreamers and those under TPS to resume their lives free of fear of deportation."

  "We demand a DREAM Act with a pathway to citizenship and protection of TPS holders," Garibay said. "We must not condition those goals on the belief that to provide relief to some, our nation must punish, deport and criminalize others."

  The Texas AFL-CIO is a state labor federation consisting of 237,000 affiliated union members who advocate for working families in Texas.

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Opeiu298/afl-cio

U.S. Senate candidate Beto O'Rourke, member of Congress from El Paso, took questions from a contingent of the Texas AFL-CIO Executive Board on subjects important to working people in Texas.

   Meeting informally in the Texas AFL-CIO Becky Moeller Auditorium, board members peppered O'Rourke with questions on trade, immigration, wages, training, public education, workplace rights and other subjects. Questioners represented teachers, communications workers, federal, state and local public employees, electricians, steelworkers and others from the building trades. 

  O'Rourke discussed his record in office and plans for the Senate. The meeting was uniformly frank and cordial. After spending nearly 90 minutes taking questions, O'Rourke stayed afterward until everyone who wanted to speak with him one-on-one had a chance to approach.

  There is no dispute in the labor movement that the record of U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, on worker issues is abysmal (a lifetime voting record of 12 percent pro-labor, according to the AFL-CIO). O'Rourke, who is seeking statewide office for the first time, has a lifetime 95 percent AFL-CIO voting record. O'Rourke was unable to accept an invitation to speak to the COPE convention and did not send a representative, which he later acknowledged was a mistake. Running for statewide office for the first time, O'Rourke had not met with many of the COPE delegates. The COPE decision not to endorse was a direct product of delegates' inability to ask questions they had. That decision drew substantial notice in the media and in social media, including some criticism.

  To his credit, O'Rourke took joint responsibility for the "no endorsement" and said he would meet with union groups around the state. Today's meeting, along with others, demonstrates he is following through on that plan.

  Toward the end of the meeting, O'Rourke requested the Texas AFL-CIO COPE endorsement, saying the support of the labor movement is essential to his campaign. As noted previously, the COPE statewide endorsement list is subject to change if the COPE Committee chooses to act. Any next step would be up to that committee.

News Release

Contacts: Rick Levy, 
Montserrat Garibay, or
Ed Sills, (512) 477-6195

Texas AFL-CIO COPE Posts Endorsements for Congressional, Legislative Seats

  The Texas AFL-CIO COPE rounded out its pre-primary endorsement list by adopting recommendations from central labor bodies across the state to go with endorsements made at the COPE Convention.

  “Speaking through Central Labor Councils and the Area Labor Federation, our affiliates have carefully vetted candidates and endorsed, by at least two-thirds vote, those they believe will build a better Texas for working families,” Texas AFL-CIO President Rick Levy said.

  The Texas AFL-CIO COPE Convention approved statewide endorsements on Jan. 21.

  Levy took note of a resolution approved by delegates to the Texas AFL-CIO COPE Convention calling for independent political participation.

  “This endorsement list seeks a pro-worker agenda and nothing else. It includes Democrats and Republicans,” Levy said. “For the first time, based on action by the Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation, our list specifically calls for opposition to two Democratic candidates who were connected to a lawsuit in Houston that undermined the rights of immigrant janitors to speak up together for a better workplace."

  “The Texas AFL-CIO COPE, joined with central labor bodies, affiliated unions, members, retirees, families and allies, will do everything in our power to give value to these endorsements.”

  These endorsees are subject to additions or amendments by the COPE Committee as the campaign proceeds:

  U.S. Senator – No endorsement

  Governor – Lupe Valdez

  Lieutenant Governor – Mike Collier

  Attorney General – Justin Nelson

  Comptroller – No action

  Land Commissioner – Tex Morgan

  Agriculture Commissioner – Kim Olson

  Railroad Commissioner – Chris Spellmon

  Texas Supreme Court, Place 2 – Steve Kirkland

  Texas Supreme Court, Place 4 – R.K. Sandill

  Texas Supreme Court, Place 6 – Kathy Cheng

  Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Presiding Judge – Maria T.   “Terri” Jackson

  Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 7 – Ramona Franklin

  Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 8 – No action

  Texas Democratic Party Chair – Gilberto Hinojosa   

U.S. House 

  CD 2 – Todd Litton

  CD 5 – Dan Wood

  CD 6 – Jana Lynne Sanchez

  CD 7 – (Opposition to Lizzie Pannill Fletcher)

  CD 9 – U.S. Rep. Al Green

  CD 10 – Mike Siegel

  CD 13 – Greg Sagan

  CD 14 – Adrienne Bell

  CD 15 – U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez

  CD 16 – Veronica Escobar

  CD 17 – Dale Mantey

  CD 18 – U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee

  CD 19 – Miguel Levario

  CD 20 – U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro

  CD 22 – Sri Preston Kulkarni

  CD 23 – Jay Hulings

  CD 25 – Chris Perri

  CD 28 – No endorsement

  CD 29 – Sylvia Garcia

  CD 30 – U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson

  CD 31 – Mary Jennings “MJ” Hegar

  CD 32 – Dual endorsement: Colin Allred & Ed Meier

  CD 33 – U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey

  CD 34 – U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela

  CD 35 – U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett

  CD 36 – Dayna Steele

Texas Senate

SD 2 – Kendall Scudder

SD 8 – Mark Pharris

SD 10 – Beverly Powell

SD 14 – Sen. Kirk Watson

SD 15 – Sen. John Whitmire

SD 16 – Nathan Johnson

SD 23 – Sen. Royce West

SD 25 - Steven Kling

Texas House

HD 2 - Bill Brannon

HD 19 – Rep. James White

HD 22 – Rep. Joe Deshotel

HD 23 – Rep. Wayne Faircloth

HD 26 – L. Sarah DeMerchant

HD 27 – Rep. Ron Reynolds

HD 28 – Meghan Scoggins

HD 31 – Rep. Ryan Guillen

HD 32 – Rep. Todd Hunter

HD 34 – Rep. Abel Herrero

HD 35 – Rep. Oscar Longoria

HD 36 – Rep. Sergio Munoz Jr.

HD 37 – Rep. Rene Oliveira

HD 38 – Rep. Eddie Lucio III

HD 39 – Rep. Armando “Mando” Martinez

HD 40 – Rep. Terry Canales

HD 41 – Rep. Bobby Guerra

HD 42 – Rep. Richard Raymond

HD 44 – John Rodgers

HD 45 – Rebecca Bell-Metereau

HD 46 – Sheryl Cole

HD 48 – Rep. Donna Howard

HD 49 – Rep. Gina Hinojosa

HD 50 – Rep. Celia Israel

HD 51 – Rep. Eddie Rodriguez

HD 52 – James Talarico

HD 65 – Michelle Beckley

HD 66 – Sharon Hirsch

HD 67 – Sarah Depew

HD 74 – Rep. Poncho Nevárez

HD 75 – Rep. Mary Gonzalez

HD 76 – Rep. Cesar Blanco

HD 77 – Rep. Lina Ortega

HD 78 – Rep. Joe Moody

HD 79 – Rep. Joe Pickett

HD 80 – Rep. Tracy King

HD 83 – Drew Landry

HD 85 – Jennifer Cantu

HD 86 – Mike Purcell

HD 88 – Ezekiel Barron

HD 90 – Rep. Ramon Romero Jr.

HD 95 – Rep. Nicole Collier

HD 100 – Rep. Eric Johnson

HD 101 – Rep. Chris Turner

HD 102 – Ana-Maria Ramos

HD 103 – Rep. Rafael Anchia

HD 104 – Rep. Roberto Alonzo

HD 105 – Terry Meza

HD 107 – Rep. Victoria Neave

HD 108 – Joanna Cattanach

HD 110 – Rep. Toni Rose

HD 111 – Rep. Yvonne Davis

HD 112 – Brandy Chambers

HD 113 – Rhetta Bowers

HD 114 – John Turner

HD 115 – Julie Johnson

HD 116 – Rep. Diana Arévalo

HD 117 – Rep. Philip Cortez

HD 118 – Rep. Tomas Uresti

HD 119 – Rep. Rolando Gutierrez

HD 120 – Rep. Barbara Gervin-Hawkins

HD 121 – Celina D. Montoya

HD 122 – Claire Barnett

HD 123 – Rep. Diego Bernal

HD 124 – Rep. Ina Minjarez

HD 125 – Rep. Justin Rodriguez

HD 126 – Natali Hurtado

HD 131 – Rep. Alma Allen

HD 134 – Allison Lami Sawyer

HD 135 – Jon Rosenthal

HD 136 - John Bucy

HD 137 – Rep. Gene Wu

HD 138 – Jenifer Rene Pool (Oppose Adam Milasincic)

HD 139 – Rep. Jarvis Johnson

HD 140 – Rep. Armando Walle

HD 141 – Rep. Senfronia Thompson

HD 142 – Rep. Harold V. Dutton Jr.

HD 143 – Rep. Ana Hernandez

HD 144 – Rep. Mary Ann Perez

HD 145 – Rep. Carol Alvarado

HD 146 – Rep. Shawn Thierry

HD 147 – Rep. Garnet Coleman

HD 148 – Rep. Jessica Farrar

HD 149 – Rep. Hubert Vo 

  The Texas AFL-CIO is a state labor federation consisting of approximately 237,000 affiliated union members who advocate for working families in Texas. The Committee on Political Education (COPE) is the organization’s Political Action Committee, making endorsements and donating funds in state races.

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opeiu298/afl-cio

Jan. 21, 2018

News Release

Contacts: Rick Levy, 
Montserrat Garibay, or
Ed Sills, (512) 477-6195

Texas AFL-CIO COPE Emphasizes Worker Priorities In Endorsements of Statewide Candidates

The political arm of the Texas AFL-CIO today endorsed a dozen statewide candidates who reflect the values and priorities of working people in Texas.

  The COPE endorsement vote concluded the business of a two-day convention in Austin that featured candidate appearances, issue forums, labor workshops, resolutions and discussion of labor’s strategy for the 2018 election cycle. COPE delegates launched a program to build voices around the state called, “I’m union. I fight. And I vote.”

  “We evaluated candidates from across the state on their commitment to improve the lives of working families,” Texas AFL-CIO President Rick Levy said. “We’re excited and energized by the prospect of changing politics in Texas. By emphasizing issues of economic justice and fairness, our members will be motivated to turn out, to vote and to win.”

  Levy said the COPE process placed workplace issues at the forefront. Events included an informative one-on-one gubernatorial forum in which delegates heard Lupe Valdez and Andrew White discuss solely issues that affect working people.

  Throughout the convention, working people were able to meet with many candidates and examine their records on the issues that matter to them most.

  “We congratulate Lupe Valdez and the other candidates who demonstrated that their priorities for governing are in sync with the priorities of working people,” Levy said. “We look forward to advocating strongly for all the COPE-endorsed candidates.”

  The statewide COPE endorsements:

•   U.S. Senator – No endorsement

•   Governor – Lupe Valdez

•   Lieutenant Governor – Mike Collier

•   Attorney General – Justin Nelson

•   Comptroller – No action

•   Land Commissioner – Tex Morgan

•   Agriculture Commissioner – Kim Olson

•   Railroad Commissioner – Chris Spellmon

•   Texas Supreme Court, Place 2 – Steve Kirkland

•   Texas Supreme Court, Place 4 – R.K. Sandill

•   Texas Supreme Court, Place 6 – Kathy Cheng

•   Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Presiding Judge – Maria T. “Terri” Jackson

•   Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 7 – Ramona Franklin

•   Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 8 – No action

•   Texas Democratic Party Chair – Gilberto Hinojosa     

  Endorsements are subject to updates based on primary and runoff election results and other factors.

  A list of congressional and legislative endorsements will be available in the coming days. Decisions in local and regional elections are based on recommendations from the applicable local Central Labor Councils or Area Labor Federation.

  The Texas AFL-CIO is a state labor federation consisting of approximately 237,000 affiliated union members. The Committee on Political Education (COPE) is the organization’s Political Action Committee, making endorsements and donating funds in state races.

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 News Release

Contacts: Rick Levy,
Montserrat Garibay, or
Ed Sills, (512)477-6195

Texas AFL-CIO COPE Convention to Feature Gubernatorial Panel, National Union Officers and U.S. House Speaker Challenger

  The Texas AFL-CIO COPE Convention, set for this weekend in Austin, will feature the first one-on-one forum between gubernatorial candidates Lupe Valdez and Andrew White, along with an appearance by a union candidate who is making a big splash among working people in his quest to oust U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan from office.

  The COPE convention takes place Saturday, Jan. 20, and Sunday, Jan. 21 at the Sheraton Austin Hotel at the Capitol, 701 E. 11th St., in downtown Austin.

  The gubernatorial forum takes place 2:05 p.m. Saturday. Other speakers include: national AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler; Eric Dean, International President of the Ironworkers Union; Esther Lopez, International Secretary-Treasurer of the United Food and Commercial Workers; and Terry Melvin, President of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists. Shuler will preside over awards going to union organizations and leaders who were at the forefront in the labor response to Hurricane Harvey and will serve as a panelist on "Women in Politics in This Day and Age."

  Also addressing delegates at the convention (11 a.m. Saturday): Randy Bryce (aka @IronStache), the union Ironworker who has captivated the nation in his challenge of Ryan in Wisconsin's Congressional District 1.

  Other activities include workshops to provide delegates with the skills and training to win for working families, resolutions and the induction into the Texas Labor Hall of Fame of three major figures in the Texas labor movement: the late Linda Bridges of the Texas American Federation of Teachers; Clara Caldwell of the Communications Workers of America and the A. Philip Randolph Institute; and Rick Diegel of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

  "We believe the 2018 election cycle is going to produce momentous change that will benefit working people in Texas," Texas AFL-CIO President Rick Levy said. 

  "The speaker lineup for this convention signals the national importance of Texas in the coming change. We are also honored to host a gubernatorial forum that will introduce hundreds of labor delegates to real alternatives for leadership in our state."

  The Committee on Political Education (COPE) is the political arm of the state labor federation. The convention will culminate on Sunday in a vote by delegates on candidate endorsements.

  See the agenda at this link: http://www.texasaflcio.org/cope.

  The Texas AFL-CIO is a state labor federation consisting of 237,000 affiliated union members who advocate for working families in Texas.

Opeiu298/afl-cio

News Release

Contacts: Rick Levy, 
Montserrat Garibay
or Ed Sils 512-477-6195

Texas AFL-CIO Endorses NAACP Criticism of Abbott As 'Honorary Grand Marshal' of Arlington MLK Parade

  Texas AFL-CIO President Rick Levy issued the following statement on the choice of Gov. Greg Abbott as Honorary Grand Marshal of the Toyota North Texas Martin Luther King Jr. Parade:

  The Texas AFL-CIO stands with the Arlington NAACP in criticizing the selection of Gov. Greg Abbott for an honorary post at the Martin Luther King Jr. Parade in Arlington.

  The labor movement had an extraordinary relationship with King, who was assassinated while organizing sanitation workers in Memphis so they could have better livelihoods. None other than A. Philip Randolph Jr. - a legendary figure in the civil rights and voting rights movements and the long-time leader of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters - was the emcee on the day in 1963 when King delivered his immortal "I Have a Dream" speech as part of the March on Washington.

  Making Greg Abbott the Grand Marshal of a parade honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is a mismatch of epic proportions. As Attorney General, Abbott supported the dilution of the federal Voting Rights Act and was instrumental in passage of "voter ID" laws that have compromised minority voting in Texas. As Governor, he championed SB 4, the "sanctuary cities" law. He backed the "bathroom bill" and signed a law letting taxpayer-funded agencies refuse to let gay couples adopt children. He pulled out all the stops in an attempt to take away the freedom of public employees to voluntarily steer a portion of their own paychecks to labor associations through payroll deduction. Abbott's idea of 'civil rights' is a scheme to steer tax dollars from community public schools to private schools.

  Courts have found that under Abbott's watch, Texas engaged in intentional discrimination with regard to voting and redistricting. 

  The Texas AFL-CIO and Tarrant County Central Labor Council will proudly participate in other MLK events, but, in solidarity with the Arlington NAACP, not the one in Arlington.

The Texas AFL-CIO is a state labor federation consisting of 235,000 affiliated union members who advocating for working families in Texas.

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Students from 28 union families in Texas received $1,000 scholarships toward the college, university or trade school of their choice following completion of the 2016-2017 Texas AFL-CIO Scholarship Program.

  In a major development that will affect the program in the future, delegates to the 2017 Texas AFL-CIO Constitutional Convention voted to raise the grant amount for future winners to $1,500 – the first time the amount has been raised in more than two decades.

  “The Texas AFL-CIO Scholarship Committee, the Executive Board of the Texas AFL-CIO and delegates to the convention all agreed that funding for the scholarship needed to increase significantly to give students more help with ever-increasing bills for their educations,” Texas AFL-CIO President Rick Levy said. “This increase makes up for much of the buying power of the scholarship that has been lost to inflation.”

  “The program remains one of our favorite tasks at the state labor federation,” Levy said, “and it would not be possible at this level without the continuing generosity of donors to the Texas AFL-CIO Scholarship Fund and to volunteers in local labor bodies across the state who help run the program.”

  In addition to providing assistance to students, the scholarship application process involves discussion of the basics of the labor movement with a couple hundred applicants each year. A revised Texas AFL-CIO Scholarship Exam this year placed a heavier emphasis on fundamentals of union history and the scholarship process continues to include an interview with committees set up by Central Labor Councils and the Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation.

  Besides the exam, criteria for the scholarships for high school seniors include academic achievement, extracurricular activities and financial need.

  Continuing Scholarships, which go to a pool of college students who won a scholarship as high school seniors, place emphasis on students’ volunteer and public service actions. This year, six students received the continuing award.

  To be eligible for the program, one of a student’s parents or legal guardians must be a member of a labor union that is affiliated both with its Central Labor Council and the Texas AFL-CIO. The CLC requirement is waived if the student lives in a part of Texas that does not have CLC (or ALF) jurisdiction.

  The Texas AFL-CIO pays the one-time grants directly to college financial aid offices to be credited to the accounts of recipients.

  The Scholarship Fund is a 501(c)(3) organization, allowing donors to deduct contributions on federal income tax returns to the full extent of the law.

  Levy thanked the Texas AFL-CIO Scholarship Committee for its service. Panel members include Jeff Darby (AFGE), Chair; Katherine Thompson (OPEIU), Co-Chair; Clara Caldwell (APRI); Lee Medley (USW); LaTonia Benoit (TWU); B.R. Williams (ILA); Ray McMurrey (AFT); Judy Cortez (AFSCME); and Michael Murphy (IBEW).

   Once again, the death of beloved labor leaders spurred donations to the scholarship fund. The Texas AFL-CIO is posting lists of all donors and those memorialized along with the list of scholarships winners.

   Donors of one or more full scholarships include: IBEW Local 716, ILA Local 28, IUOE Local 450, Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 286, Plumbers Local 68, Texas AFT, Joe D. & Dorothy Gunn (memorial), Texas State Council of Machinists (in memory of George Hooper), American Income Life and the Texas Building & Construction Trades Council.

  The Scholarship Committee voted this year to designate one scholarship in honor of former Texas AFL-CIO President Becky Moeller.

   The Texas AFL-CIO Education Department will mail scholarship packets for the 2018 program to Central Labor Councils in late October and is posting information and applications on the Texas AFL-CIO web site, www.texasaflcio.org/scholarship Postmark deadline for high school seniors to apply will be Wednesday  Jan. 31, 2018.

  Brother Thomas, who began work Monday, is an experienced labor and progressive organizer, having worked for the United Auto Workers, American Federation of Teachers, Texas Organizing Project and Texas Campaign for the Environment, as well as in campaigns for labor-backed candidates.

  Holder of a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Prairie View A&M, Thomas will work primarily with the Texas AFL-CIO Campaigns Department to help with organizing drives, block walks, protests, union events and other advocacy for working families in Texas.

  “Rod Thomas brings another strong organizing perspective to the state labor federation, and we are so glad he has joined our staff,” Texas AFL-CIO President Rick Levy said. “Thanks to Rich Trumka and the entire AFL-CIO, which provided grant funding that enabled us to hire Rod. We know he is going to make a difference for working people in Texas.”

  Thomas said, “I am so excited to be a part of the Texas AFL-CIO family. I would love the opportunity to assist unions around the state in any way possible. If you are planning an action in a central labor body, please contact me if you can use help (512-477-6195 or rod@texasaflcio.org). I want to hit the ground running to grow the labor movement in Texas.”

Nov. 16, 2017

                                                                                                News Release

                                                                                                Contacts: Rick Levy,

                                                                                                Montserrat Garibay or Ed Sills,

                                                                                                (512) 477-6195

Texas AFL-CIO Mourns Steve Mostyn

  Texas AFL-CIO President Rick Levy issued this statement on the death of Texas trial lawyer Steve Mostyn:

  “The officers and staff of the Texas AFL-CIO are in mourning over the death of Steve Mostyn, an extraordinary trial lawyer and friend of working people in our state.”

  “Steve was known best for standing up for working families in courtrooms all over the United States following tragedies of every stripe. His pursuit of justice reflected a unique drive and intellect. Steve was a consummate professional, but his good deeds extended well beyond the courthouse. Working families, special education students, participants in the Special Olympics and many progressive causes benefited from Steve’s great heart and kindness.”

  “We will miss Steve terribly. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Amber Mostyn and the Mostyn family." 

  The Texas AFL-CIO is a state labor federation that includes 237,000 affiliated union members who advocate for working families in Texas.

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