Know Your Rights: Joining a Union

Union leaders and members gather below a Texas A-F-T Respect us expect us banner.

How many times have you heard the following from a colleague, a friend, or a Facebook comment: “There are no unions in Texas”? 

There is a powerful narrative in this state that organized labor has no power. From the map of our collective local wins on wages, we can safely say that’s nonsense. 

So the next time you hear someone say education unions are illegal or toothless in Texas, use our online Know Your Rights guide to clear up the misinformation. That guide has information to correct the record on: 

  • right-to-work (or right-to-work-for-less) states
  • collective bargaining
  • the difference between a union and an association 

In honor of Labor Day, share the guide with someone who’s not yet a union member!

Did you know? 57% of Texas AFT members surveyed said they were persuaded to join our union by the recommendation of a friend, family member, or co-worker. To grow our movement for the respect school employees deserve, we need members like you sharing your experience with their networks and encouraging them to join our union. 

Teach the Labor Movement with Share My Lesson 

Whatever political battles may be raging in the Legislature or at the State Board of Education, we educators remain committed to teaching the truth. That truth includes the history of the American labor movement and the long tradition of fighting for fairer workplaces and a more socially just society. 

You can dig deeper with your students on the history and future of organized labor with free lesson plans and resources from Share My Lesson. Materials can be used and adapted for preK-12, and highlights of the collection include units on the meaning of Labor Day, inspiring labor leaders, and historic protests and strikes