Texas State Employees Union has begun enrolling service members on state active duty in Texas after the DOJ recently said in a court filing that a federal law prohibiting military unions does not apply to soldiers on state active duty. To our knowledge, this is the first time in american history that a union has enrolled service members in their military capacities.
This comes after thousands of soldiers were involuntarily activated by Gov. Greg Abbott for Texas' border mission, Operation Lone Star. In addition to a string of recent suicides, soldiers on the mission have complained of poor living conditions, pay issues, equipment shortages, reduced benifits, and political motivations for their activation.
Reddit post recruiting Texas service members to the union
Guard troops can unionize on state active duty, DoJ says – Army Times
Texas slashes Guard benefits while spending millions to expand border mission – Army Times
Wave of suicides hits Texas National Guard’s border mission – Army Times
Another Operation Lone Star soldier dies amid morale crisis – Army Times
Editorial: There is no fixing or spinning Operation Lone Star, so end it – San Antonio Express-News
Another Texas soldier on border dies in accidental shooting – Army Times
Suicides, living conditions spark concern among Texas National Guard deployed at border – ABC News