A Texas law banning collective bargaining for public sector workers didn’t stop Austin city employees from organizing.
After winning a historic Consultation Agreement in February, AFSCME Local 1624 members have been assembling their union power and their workforce agenda ever since.
The agreement with the Austin City Council gives the workers a voice on issues that matter to them on the job, and a monthly meeting with the city manager to raise concerns, collaborate and communicate.
Brydan Summers, a land development rules administrator and a member of Local 1624, said union members have been making themselves visible at council meetings, wearing AFSCME green and publicly testifying on important issues.
“It’s a challenge but it’s also really exciting because it shows as we’re trying to build out power, we’re going to have to keep building out internal infrastructure to keep up with it and to do a good job,” Summers said.
With more than 4,800 members, members of Local 1624 are proving that they are built for this moment.
