Worker Power & Thriving Families

Worker Power

Unions increase income equality and strengthen our democracy.

Source: The Economic Policy Institute (EPI)

There’s more that unites Texans than divides us. Regardless of where we’re from, all Texans deserve dignified wages and a fair shot to provide a quality life for their families. 

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Equity in Focus

Nationally, wealth inequality is the greatest since WWII, and the wealth gap between wealthy and middle- to lower-income families is sharply rising. As far as income inequality, Texas consistently ranks in the top 11 worst states. The Economic Policy Institute (EPI) shows the top 1% of the wealthiest Texans have an average income of $1.3 million compared to the rest of us, who have an average income of $56,000. This means the top 1% of income earners make 24 times more than the bottom 99%.

#EquityMatters
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Texans Together for the Common Good:
Worker Power Raises the Bar for All

Our valuable state workforce is made up of working people just like you and me. But our elected officials are intentionally underfunding public services and the state’s workforce because they don’t want their wealthy friends to pay their fair share of taxes. This means the state government faces historically high staff turnover which limits our access to public goods and services in many ways. We're uniting in action to get the Texas we deserve — join us!
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state workforce turnover report (5)

Our valuable state workforce is made up of working people just like you and me. But our elected officials are intentionally underfunding public services and the state’s workforce because they don’t want their wealthy friends to pay their fair share of taxes. This means the state government faces historically high staff turnover, which limits our access to public goods and services in many ways. As Texas’ population grows, the hole that our greediest elected officials dug to bury all of us will only get deeper. Our most powerful elected officials have an agenda to give their wealthy and powerful friends tax breaks, passing off the costs to working Texans and our families.
Read the full report
Texas Leaders Must Invest in Our State Agencies (Banner)

When Texas leaders don’t invest in our people and the programs that keep us fed and healthy, Texans and our families suffer. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission, which processes and distributes Medicaid and SNAP, runs the eligibility system well, but our state’s history with streamlining enrollment in public benefits has been a roller coaster of ups and downs. Before 2020, Texas consistently met federal guidelines for timely processing applications for Medicaid and SNAP. However, a surge of new applicants through the pandemic and very high turnover of eligibility workers led to significant delays in processing applications.
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prevailing wages blog header

District, municipal, and city governments in Texas can enforce prevailing wages on their public works projects and simultaneously support more broadly shared prosperity for our communities. Together, we can build a more just and equitable Texas by ensuring the workers building our schools, roads, and public buildings are fairly compensated, safe, and able to contribute to our communities.
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Background

No matter our race, gender, or place, Texans deserve dignified jobs that support thriving individuals and families. We raise the bar for every Texan living in our state when workers of all backgrounds earn living wages, experience safe working conditions, and access essential benefits like affordable health care coverage and paid family, medical, and sick leaves. 

Building worker power will balance wealthy corporations’ unfair advantage over we the people. Worker power ensures everyday Texans share in the prosperity their labor creates. Every Texan is proud to partner with unions, worker centers, and other labor allies to make Texas’ economy fair. 

Our Staff

Amanda Posson

Senior Policy Analyst

Meet All Our Staff
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Prioritizing City Employees in Austin’s 2023 Budget Raises the Bar for Austinites of All Backgrounds
Testimony on the Pandemic's Effect on the State's Teacher Workforce
Testimony on the Pandemic's Effect on the State’s Teacher Workforce


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