More than two years after President Abraham Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation, almost five months since Congress passed the 13th Amendment, and more than two months after General Robert E. Lee surrendered his Confederate Army, all slaves were ordered free in Texas.

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Major General Gordon Granger led Union soldiers into Galveston, Texas, bringing an official announcement that slavery in the United States had ended by executive decree.  While the Emancipation Proclamation was issued earlier, it was not fully implemented across the country, and many enslaved people in Texas continued to be held in bondage even after the Civil War ended.  The troops arrived to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation, therefore, Juneteenth marks the effective end of slavery in Texas, but it wasn't the only date when slavery officially ended in the United States.

This June, OPEIU Local 29 proudly celebrates Pride Month in solidarity with our LGBTQIA+ members, colleagues, families, and communities. Pride is a time to honor the courage, resilience, and achievements of those who have fought—and continue to fight—for equality, dignity, and justice.

As a union established in the principles of fairness, respect, and worker empowerment, we recognize that LGBTQIA+ rights are workers’ rights. We stand united against discrimination in all its forms and remain committed to creating inclusive, equitable workplaces where everyone can thrive, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

OPEIU Local 29 reaffirms our dedication to advocating for policies and protections that support LGBTQIA+ working people. We celebrate the diversity within our union and pledge to continue encouraging an environment of unity, strength, and pride—not just in June, but every day of the year.

Happy Pride Month!

OPEIU 29

 

Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month is celebrated annually in May and is a time to acknowledge and celebrate the rich history, culture, and achievements of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States. It's a month-long recognition of the diverse communities, highlighting the significant contributions they have made to American history, culture and achievements.  The theme this year is A Legacy of Leadership and Resilience. While AAPI is a commonly used term, some prefer AANHPI (Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander) as a more inclusive term, recognizing Native Hawaiian heritage.

We invite all union siblings, community allies, and working families to take action with us throughout the day. Click here to view and/or download all May Day Action Flyers.