Labor Day An Excellent Day For Organized Labor To Hold Whitmire To Account

Labor Day would be an excellent day for local organized labor to start holding Houston Mayor John Whitmire accountable.  Labor has been a strong supporter of Mayor Whitmire. It would be better for the public and for labor if labor would hold Whitmire accountable instead.  

Here are some reasons why--

1. Mayor Whitmire makes it clear he does not want to work closely or effectively with County Judge Lina Hidalgo. This view, that Mayor Whitmire shares with Harris County Republicans, will make it more difficult for labor when Judge Hidalgo runs for re-election in 2026. The Texas Gulf Coast AFL-CIO Labor Federation has aggressively backed Judge Hidalgo. Mayor Whitmire's disdain for Judge Hidalgo will cause labor to expend more resources to defend her in a primary and in the 2026 General Election.   

2. Mayor Whitmire has almost $10 million in campaign funds in the bank.  Given that democracy is on the line in 2024, Mayor Whitmire could be spending that money to help elect Democrats. Not only is democracy  at stake, Republican victories in 2024 would enable the implementation of Project 2025. Project 2025 would be a nightmare for unions and working Americans. Mayor Whitmire's sitting on the sidelines in this important election year is causing labor to expend more resources to support endorsed candidates & is putting the future of organized labor at risk.           

3. Mayor Whitmire has proposed an ordinance that would restrict the rights of Houstonians to protest at the homes of politicians. (Lacking votes for passage, it has been referred to committee.) The First Amendment implications of this matter for everyone. An inhibited right to protest could easily impact a picket line or impede the ability of workers to hold a boss or an employer to account.           

​4. Mayor Whitmire's proposed anti-First Amendment ordinance was provoked by Pro-Palestinian protesters at his home. The Texas AFL-CIO was early in calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. How about some solidarity?Many local civil rights and progressive groups spoke up against the ordinance. Labor was silent.      
                     
5. Mayor Whitmire's relentless attacks on public transit and road safety fall hardest on working people and the most disadvantaged Houstonians. A loyal partner in the Mayor's vendetta against public transit is newly-appointed Metro Board member Alexandra Mealer. Labor should speak up against the capture of Metro by regressive elements and this Mealer/Whitmire partnership.   
   
Labor and Houston can do much better than John Whitmire.  

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