Workers who keep Harris County, Texas, running and AFSCME members from other parts of the country are sharing their union message this week in an energetic campaign to give more workers a voice on the job. 

They are mobilizing to ensure workers who provide the public services that Harris County residents need build power through AFSCME Organizing Committee 832. 

Following up on the huge win earlier this year to pass the county’s consultation policy, local AFSCME members are gathering the support they need to be named the consultation agent and ensure workers in every county department have more power at work.

In a show of AFSCME solidarity, members from across the country are joining Organizing Committee 832’s blitz this week in Texas. More than 40 AFSCME Volunteer Member Organizers (VMOs) are knocking on doors side by side with Harris County workers to help them meet their organizing goal.

AFSCME President Patrick Moran joined the group Sunday at a kickoff event in Houston.

“We want an ass-kicking, fighting, serious, hardworking, respected union in Harris County. We have an opportunity here like we’ve not had elsewhere,” Moran said. “There is a seam and it’s opening and we’re going to bust that seam wide open, here and in the South.”

Harris County became the first county in Texas to approve a consultation policy, giving 5,200 county workers a voice when it comes to improving the workplace and providing public services to every  community in the county. 

“The consultation means that we can have a seat at the table to discuss pay rates, policies, benefits, any concerns that we may have,” said Lydia Sowell, an operator with Harris County Flood Control. “It’s to be able to sit at the table and to discuss with management whatever issues we have, whatever benefits we may have, questions about anything.”

Cheryl Carter, an office support worker for the Harris County Toll Road Authority, was among those spreading the word about AFSCME this week.

“I joined AFSCME because being part of the union means you have a collective voice. I know that if it’s just my one little voice, that doesn’t mean anything. But if my voice times a hundred other voices, that is powerful,” she said.

Nathan Paleka, a member of United Public Workers (AFSCME Local 646), is a caretaker at Kauai Veterans Cemetery in Hawaii and one of the AFSCME VMOs in Texas this week. 

“I want to say to the Harris County workers to go get organized. Don’t fight it alone. Always remember …  your AFSCME members will protect you and guide you 110%,” Paleka said. “We all need to come together and get organized and to be strong in our union.” 

Moran encouraged union members to share their personal stories with their co-workers and make connections.

“It’s about building relationships, so that people know you have their back, that they have over 1.4 million people standing with them when they’re taking on the boss, taking on the politicians,” Moran said. “Let’s win big in Texas.”