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10 Resolutions Passed by Delegates at the 2025 Texas AFL-CIO Constitutional Convention

Texas AFL-CIO
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During the 2025 Constitutional Convention in San Antonio, TX, the following resolutions were passed unanimously by delegates on Saturday, June 28, 2025.

1. Recruiting, Equipping, and Empowering Texas Union Members to Run for Office 

RESOLVED, that the Texas AFL-CIO will: 

  • Establish an internal “Labor Candidate School” to equip union members with the tools, knowledge and resources necessary to run for elected office; 
  • Prioritize year-round member-to-member electoral work as part of a commitment to strengthen our political muscle and through the infrastructure needed to WIN elections;  
  • Create a leadership pool of union members who are prepared to step into a position of office or serve on a board of commission;
  • Act in solidarity with our affiliate unions to unseat legislators who refuse to fight and act in the best interest of working people. 
  • Direct each Central Labor Council (CLC) to proactively identify elected seats—local, state, or federal—that are hostile to labor or where working families are underrepresented, and develop localized plans to contest and win those seats;
  • Encourage affiliates to participate actively in these local plans, providing candidate recommendations and organizational support as part of a unified electoral strategy; and
  • Work in coordination across CLCs and affiliates to build and regularly update a unified “Texas Labor Agenda” for the next generation—centered on worker rights, union protections, strong public services, and fair labor standards—driven by those who live and work in our communities.

2. Unite and Strengthen the Labor Movement in North Texas Through the Creation of the North Texas Area Labor Federation

RESOLVED, that the Texas AFL-CIO, in partnership with the National AFL-CIO and local leaders in Dallas and Tarrant councils, supports the formal unification of our Central Labor Councils into a single, powerful, region-wide AFL-CIO chartered organization: the North Texas Area Labor Federation;

RESOLVED, that this new ALF will serve as a model for statewide growth—equipped to coordinate organizing, amplify political action, invest in leadership development, and uplift working class communities throughout North Texas and beyond;

RESOLVED, that the Texas AFL-CIO and its 240,000 affiliate members proudly endorse this new formation at the 2025 Constitutional Convention and respectfully call upon AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler to support and approve this re-chartering process, in accordance with the principles and goals of Resolution 2, so that together we may modernize our movement, strengthen our infrastructure, and expand the power of working people in Texas and across the South;

RESOLVED, that we declare our unity, our readiness, and our shared commitment to a new era for the labor movement in Texas—an era grounded in solidarity, strategic action, and the unwavering belief that workers, united, can change the world.

3. Affirming the Commitment of the Texas AFL-CIO to Directing More Of Texas’ Public Procurement Funds to the Purchase Of Materials, Goods, And Services for Public Projects from Companies that Produce Within the United States, thus Employing the Very Workers Whose Taxes Support the U.S. Economy

RESOLVED, the Texas AFL-CIO will work to maximize the creation of American jobs by ensuring Texas’ Buy America preferences are properly implemented, and are expanded to cover new state programs established to meet the challenges of the 21st century economy; 

RESOLVED, the Texas AFL-CIO seeks to have public officials commit to purchasing only products and services that are made or performed in the United States of America whenever and wherever possible with any funds provided by Texan taxpayers; and

RESOLVED, as the Texas AFL-CIO, we seek to have our public officials commit to publish any requests to waive these procurement priorities so as to give American workers and producers the opportunity to identify and provide the American products and services that will maximize the success of our nation’s economy.

4. Establishment of Local Immigration and Workforce Justice Committees in All Central Labor Bodies

RESOLVED, that the Texas AFL-CIO calls upon every Central Labor Council (CLC), Area Labor Federation (ALF), and local union affiliate to establish a standing Immigration and Workforce Justice Committee to:

  • Promote inclusive labor organizing and representation of immigrant workers;
  • Educate affiliates and members on immigrant rights, federal and state policy developments, and available legal protections;
  • Coordinate rapid response and solidarity actions in cases of raids, detentions, and worker exploitation;
  • Partner with immigrant rights organizations, worker centers, legal clinics, and faith communities to build stronger alliances;
  • Advocate for local and state policies that expand rights, safety, and opportunities for immigrant working families; and
  • Ensure language access, cultural competence, and leadership development for immigrant members in union spaces;

RESOLVED, that the Texas AFL-CIO will provide support, training, and model policies to assist local labor bodies and affiliates in the formation and operation of these Committees, and will convene annual statewide gatherings to assess progress, share best practices, and shape statewide strategy on immigrant and workforce justice.

5. 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

RESOLVED, that the Texas AFL-CIO reaffirms its commitment to compassion and non-discrimination for all people regardless of their immigration status; 

RESOLVED, that 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; 

RESOLVED, that the Texas AFL-CIO affirms its support for policies that protect the human rights and dignity of all immigrants. The Texas AFL-CIO also demands state and federal officials ensure that immigrants receive fair and just treatment under the law and due process under the U.S. Constitution; 

RESOLVED, that the Texas AFL-CIO affirms and commits to protect the First Amendment right of the public to observe and document any immigration enforcement activities in our community, including our workplaces; and

RESOLVED, that the Texas AFL-CIO encourages employers to evaluate how they can support DACA employees and workers of various legal status, especially those with insecure work status, who might be at risk of losing their employment authorization and implement an internal policy. As employers create their policies, they should invite DACA employees and others with insecure work status to provide input throughout the process. Once policies are adopted, employers should share them with all their staff because they might not know which employees might be at risk of losing their work authorization and would need support.

RESOLVED, the Texas AFL-CIO commits to compiling and distributing best practices for worksites that protect workers that might be targeted by enforcement actions at work.

6. Support of Escalating Collective Action Leading Up to May 1, 2028

RESOLVED, 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 as a way to advance racial, economic, and social justice; and

RESOLVED, the Texas AFL-CIO will 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.

7. Exploring The Concho Valley Labor Chapter

RESOLVED, that the Texas AFL-CIO will explore the formation of a chapter of the state labor federation that will cover the following counties: Coke, Concho, Irion, Runnels Sterling, Tom Green.

RESOLVED, this body will be called the Concho Valley Labor Chapter and will be empowered with all rights and responsibilities of such a body.

8. Honor the Dedication, Resilience, and Sacrifices of Seafarers Around the World

RESOLVED, that the Texas AFL-CIO formally recognizes June 25th as the International Day of the Seafarer;

RESOLVED, that the Texas AFL-CIO commits to raising awareness of the contributions and challenges faced by seafarers, and to supporting policies and initiatives that protect their rights and well-being;

RESOLVED, that this resolution be shared with affiliated unions, labor councils, and community partners to encourage broader recognition and appreciation of the seafaring workforce.

9. Opposition to School Vouchers and in Support Of Public Schools

RESOLVED, that 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;

RESOLVED, that 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; and

RESOLVED, that the Texas AFL-CIO reaffirms its commitment to defending public education as a public good, advancing education equity, and standing with the educators and school employees who make learning possible every day.

10. Creating an Event Caucus

RESOLVED, that all affiliated unions that work in conventions, live events, and other forms of entertainment may form a caucus to discuss and bring forward issues that work is done in these crafts.