TLDR:

The Texas AFL-CIO, the state labor federation, has become the first to call for a ceasefire in Gaza since October 7th. The resolution was passed during the Committee on Political Education (COPE) Conference and also calls for the return of all hostages and non-violent political prisoners. This puts pressure on the national AFL-CIO, which has resisted calls for a ceasefire. The Texas AFL-CIO now joins major unions in calling for a ceasefire.

Key Points:

• Texas AFL-CIO becomes first state labor federation to call for ceasefire in Gaza since October 7th
• Resolution passed during Committee on Political Education (COPE) Conference
• Resolution calls for ceasefire and return of hostages and political prisoners
• Texas AFL-CIO now joins major unions in calling for a ceasefire

Full Article:

The Texas AFL-CIO, the state labor federation, has become the first to call for a ceasefire in Gaza since October 7th. The resolution was passed during the Committee on Political Education (COPE) Conference and also calls for the return of all hostages and non-violent political prisoners. This puts pressure on the national AFL-CIO, which has resisted calls for a ceasefire. The Texas AFL-CIO now joins major unions in calling for a ceasefire.

Gaza health officials claim that more than 26,000 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli military since Hamas’ October 7th attack on Israel, which killed over 1,100 people. The resolution passed after a lengthy and contentious debate among union members. It included nine positions, including the condemnation of antisemitism and Islamophobia, a call for the U.S. to remove from power and bring to justice those who perpetrated the October 7th massacre, and a call for the U.S. to facilitate negotiations to end the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory and establish a Palestinian state.

Alejandra Lopez, president of the San Antonio Alliance of Teachers and Support Personnel Local 67 and vice president of the San Antonio Central Labor Council, voiced her support for the resolution and described it as a message of solidarity and international peace. The resolution was passed on a vote of 52,858 to 43,003.

Opponents of the resolution, including members of the Seafarers International Union, expressed concern that a ceasefire would endanger their members who work on ships in the Red Sea. They argued that the Houthi rebel group, which serves as the de facto government in Yemen and has launched attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea, would be emboldened by a ceasefire in Gaza.

Texas AFL-CIO President Rick Levy emphasized the need for continued discussion and dialogue within the labor federation, stating that the resolution was the beginning of a conversation, not the end.