Resolution

WHEREAS, Harris County recognizes that labor unions have served as the catalyst of social, racial
and gender equity, and are often at the forefront of movements for equality and civil rights in the United
States; and

WHEREAS, under Texas’ Right to Work law and the First Amendment to the United States
Constitution, employees of the Harris Center for Mental Health and Intellectual and Developmental
Disabilities (IDD), and Harris County employees in general, have the right to organize a union and
talk to their coworkers about the benefits of unionization; and

WHEREAS, the Texas Right to Work law and the First Amendment protects all Harris County
employees, as well as Harris Center employees, from engaging in any acts of retaliation, intimidation,
or coercion against employees who exercise their right to organize a union; and
WHEREAS, many public sector employees in Harris County already enjoy the benefits of working in
a unionized workplace; and

WHEREAS, the employees of the Travis County Local Mental Health Authority, Integral Care,
recently organized their own union with the Communications Workers of America; and

WHEREAS, Harris County encourages the Harris Center Board of Trustees and Executive Leadership,
and all Harris County leaders to respect the rights of their employees to freely organize and join a union
without fear of intimidation, coercion or retaliation; and

WHEREAS, Union memberships can lead to increased wealth for the union member households',
and provide better benefits, higher wages, and increased job stability; and

WHEREAS, Unions can be productive in resolving workplace issues in a way that builds community
and morale and improve productivity by giving workers a voice to engage in making the workplace
more efficient and productive; and

WHEREAS, Harris County supports safe, healthy, and fair workplace environments that treat all
employees with dignity and respect.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, Harris County Commissioners Court supports the rights of the
employees of Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD, and all Harris County employees’ right to
organize a union free of retaliation, intimidation, and coercion.

ADOPTED on this 27th day of June 2023 by Harris County Commissioners Court, Harris County,
Texas.
 ___________________________
LINA HIDALGO, County Judge

____________________________ _____________________________
RODNEY ELLIS, Commissioner ADRIAN GARCIA, Commissioner
Precinct One Precinct Two

_________________________________ ______________________________
TOM S. RAMSEY, P.E., Commissioner LESLEY BRIONES, Commissioner
Precinct Three Precinct Four
ATTEST:

___________________________
Teneshia Hudspeth, County Clerk
Harris County, T E X A S