Leonard Aguilar, Secretary-Treasurer of the Texas AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss state legislation creating more problems for labor unions. He also talked about their work to ensure unions lead the renewable energy transition and the 2024 Women’s Summit in Austin.
The Texas AFL-CIO is opposing several attempts by state legislators to remove worker protections and other actions that could negatively impact organized labor, Aguilar said. He talked about some of the current issues that unions in the state are dealing with and how the issues are causing problems retaining and organizing union members. Aguilar talked about recent legislation that has negatively impacted the state's infrastructure and other areas. He talked about the state's problems with the electrical grid and water supply for residents. Until businesses and unions can unite, it will be tough to fix these problems, he said.
Aguilar said Texas should be a leader in the renewable energy transition, but to do it, unions need to lead the effort. He talked about the work the state AFL-CIO is doing with the Texas Climate Jobs Project. The organization is working with unions to ensure the jobs being created by renewable energy projects go to union members. Several of the problems with the power grid in Texas come from the state using low-road contractors, which Aguilar says should not happen if the state wants to be a leader in the renewable energy sector.
Finally, Aguilar talked about the success bringing more women into Local Unions in Texas. The Texas AFL-CIO Women’s Committee recently held its third annual Women’s Summit in Austin. About 250 female union members from across the state came together to network, share ideas and attend leadership and skill-building workshops. The event has been great, and Aguilar expects it will become one of the state AFL-CIO’s largest yearly gatherings.
To hear more from Aguilar, please listen to the show above.