Last weekend, over 450 union delegates from across the state gathered in San Antonio for the 2025 Texas AFL-CIO Constitutional Convention. Texas AFT was well-represented by many of our local leaders and members; coming just a week after our own biennial convention, the chance to come together in community with our extended labor family was even more energizing.
Union delegates from across the state unanimously passed 10 resolutions, which you can read in full on the Texas AFL-CIO website. We’ll highlight a few of note for public school and higher education employees here:
Recruiting, Equipping, and Empowering Texas Union Members to Run for Office
The Texas AFL-CIO resolves to develop an internal Labor Candidate School to equip union members with the tools, knowledge, and resources necessary to run for elected office. The Texas AFL-CIO is further resolved to act in solidarity with affiliate unions to unseat legislators who refuse to fight and act in the best interest of working people.
Affirming the Texas AFL-CIO’s Commitment to Advocating, Assisting, and Defending Our Immigrant Workers and Their Families, Founded in Our Belief in the Rule of Law and Dignity of All Peoples Regardless of Their Immigration Status
The Texas AFL-CIO condemns the actions of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal agencies for denying due process to immigrants by seizing immigrants and their families at local immigration courts and attempting to summarily subvert the deportation process while taking into custody immigrants and their U.S. citizen family members.
Support of Escalating Collective Action Leading Up to May 1, 2028
The Texas AFL-CIO will disseminate information to all affiliated unions and central labor councils regarding opportunities to participate in the nationally coordinated May Day action campaign to advance racial, economic, and social justice. The Texas AFL-CIO is resolved to support affiliated unions and central labor councils who come together in taking escalating, coordinated action for public education, democracy, and workers’ rights on May 1, 2026; May 1, 2027; and May 1, 2028.
Opposition to School Vouchers and in Support of Public Schools
The Texas AFL-CIO unequivocally opposes the school voucher program recently enacted in Texas and supports its full repeal through legislative, legal, and electoral means. Accordingly, the Texas AFL-CIO will work in coalition with affiliated unions, educators, parents, students, and advocacy organizations to support pro-public education candidates, mobilize union members, and educate the public about the harmful impacts of school vouchers.
“People are waking up to the fact that our fight isn’t Republican vs. Democrat. It’s workers vs. billionaires. And I see workers waking up to the difference a union can make in their lives.”
Liz Shuler, president of the AFL-CIO, addressing convention delegates (and pictured above with Texas AFT Secretary-Treasurer Wanda Longoria and Northside AFT President Melina Espiritu-Azocar)
For our members and leaders in attendance, there was much to celebrate. Texas AFT congratulates Northside AFT President Melina Espiritu-Azocar and Alliance/AFT member Rosemary Curts on their elections as Texas AFL-CIO executive vice presidents, joining the ranks of our members moving the needle in their Central Labor Councils and charting the path forward for the Texas labor movement.
And as a special bonus, we’re proud to report our weekly Hotline newsletter took home a Publications Award in the Central Labor Councils & State Associations category. So, now would be a great time to encourage your friends, family, and colleagues to subscribe to the award-winning Hotline!