Posts tagged Texas AFL-CIO
Texas sees surge in union membership, defying state’s anti-union history
August 14, 2024 // In total, there are about 586,000 union workers in Texas, a fraction of the millions who work here. And yet, the increase is somewhat remarkable given the state's long history of hostility toward unions. And nationwide, union membership dipped during the same time. Texas is one of 26 so-called right-to-work states. Texas lawmakers first passed that law in 1993. The law allows for workers the option to not pay unions due and the right to work in a unionized workplace without being a part of the union itself. And more recently, the Republican-controlled Legislature passed a law aimed at stopping local governments from enacting progressive-leaning worker protections and other policies.
Texas State employee union rallies for raises, cost-of-living adjustments
April 20, 2023 // Texas House Rep. John Bucy, D-Cedar Park, also spoke at the rally. “I’m proud to be a union member. I’m proud to stand alongside each and every one of you,” Bucy said. “Time after time after time, y’all have put in more work than you need to because you want to serve this state. But this building has failed you.” Bucy said he wants to see House Bills 202 (pay raise for state employees) and 3761 (cost-of-living adjustment for benefits from the Employees Retirement System of Texas) passed.