Secretary-Treasurer of the Texas AFL-CIO, Len Aguilar, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the fight to organize more workers in Texas. Aguilar also discussed the efforts to assist immigrant workers in navigating the immigration process and how a unified labor movement can create legislative changes.
The Texas AFL-CIO is working to create a unified front for Labor in Texas. Together with their affiliated unions, they will work to develop this strength in 2024. After a tough 2023, Aguilar talked about the renewed efforts to organize and grow union membership in the state. He discussed the organizing campaigns from different affiliated organizations and how they are being assisted by the work generate by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill.
Aguilar said every worker and individual working in Texas should be given the utmost respect. He discussed issues with immigrant workers who must navigate the immigration process. The Texas state labor federation assists immigrant workers through the process, and Aguilar explained how. He said the state labor federation wants to assist those seeking to enter the country the right way.
With the combined efforts of unions, friends of labor and citizen support, the legislation presented in the Texas Legislature that would have created an “education coupon” was able to be shut down. The efforts showcased how strong bipartisan support can be in the political arena. The next fight will be to turn around a bill that eliminated worker protections in extreme weather conditions. Aguilar discussed what occurred with a preemption bill in 2023 that took away many of the worker protections related to working in extreme heat.
Listen to the show above for more from Aguilar on the Texas AFL-CIO.