The launch of Texas LERA was guided by leaders whose careers demonstrate the value of collaboration in public service.
Among them was Deidra Norris, Chief of Labor, Employment, and Civil Service for the City of Houston, who participated prominently throughout the 2026 Texas Labor-Management Conference.
Norris helped introduce Texas LERA during the conference’s Monday plenary, discussing the organization’s transition from Houston LERA to a statewide association and outlining opportunities for broader engagement across Texas.
She later joined conference leadership during the closing partnership panel, where representatives from both Texas LERA and the Texas Labor-Management Conference discussed practical strategies for strengthening labor-management relationships through communication, education, and shared learning.
Her participation reflected the collaborative philosophy that has long defined LERA: bringing together professionals with different perspectives to improve workplaces through informed dialogue rather than division.
As Texas LERA expands across the state, leaders like Norris will help ensure the organization continues to provide practical, balanced programming that serves the entire labor-management community.
Few professionals understand workplace conflict from as many perspectives as a labor arbitrator.
Throughout the 2026 Texas Labor-Management Conference, Mickey Brock shared that experience in multiple sessions designed to help labor and management leaders better understand dispute resolution and effective workplace partnerships.
Brock participated in the conference’s historic announcement introducing Texas LERA before joining fellow arbitrators for the popular Red Light/Green Light Arbitration Panel, where experienced neutrals examined real grievance scenarios and explained how arbitration decisions are reached.
The workshop offered attendees a rare opportunity to hear directly from arbitrators about the reasoning behind difficult decisions and the practical factors that influence grievance outcomes.
Brock also returned during the conference’s closing partnership panel, helping represent Texas LERA in discussions about strengthening labor-management relationships across the state.
His participation throughout the conference reflected Texas LERA’s commitment to bringing practical expertise into conversations that help employers, unions, and neutrals work more effectively together.
Two organizations committed to strengthening workplace relationships have come together to expand opportunities for labor-management education throughout Texas.
During the 2026 Texas Labor-Management Conference, Texas LERA and the Texas Labor-Management Conference formally launched a new strategic partnership designed to broaden educational programming, strengthen professional networks, and encourage greater collaboration among labor, management, neutrals, academics, attorneys, and public sector professionals.
Although each organization has a distinct mission, both share a common belief that better workplaces are built through communication, education, and mutual understanding.
Texas LERA provides year-round educational programming and professional networking grounded in the national Labor and Employment Relations Association. The Texas Labor-Management Conference has long served as one of the state’s premier annual gatherings for labor-management professionals.
By working together, the organizations hope to create additional educational opportunities throughout the year while introducing new audiences to each organization’s programs and resources.
The partnership was reflected throughout the conference program, beginning with the official announcement of Texas LERA’s statewide expansion and concluding with a joint leadership panel exploring practical strategies for strengthening labor-management relationships across Texas.
Rather than marking the conclusion of one event, conference leaders viewed the announcement as the beginning of a longer-term collaboration designed to benefit Texas professionals for years to come.
For nearly fifty years, Houston LERA has served as a trusted forum where labor, management, neutrals, attorneys, academics, students, and public officials could come together to exchange ideas and strengthen workplace relationships. That tradition is not changing. It is growing.
This summer, Houston LERA officially began its next chapter as Texas LERA, reflecting an expanded mission to serve professionals throughout the entire state.
The transition recognizes a simple reality: labor and employment issues rarely stop at city limits. Texas employers, unions, government agencies, neutrals, and universities increasingly work across regions, making statewide collaboration more valuable than ever.
Rather than creating a new organization, Texas LERA builds upon nearly five decades of experience, relationships, and programming developed by Houston LERA while opening new opportunities for participation across Texas.
The expanded organization will continue offering educational programs, networking opportunities, and professional development while actively engaging practitioners from every corner of the state.
Texas LERA also strengthens connections with the national Labor and Employment Relations Association, providing members greater access to a nationwide network of scholars and practitioners dedicated to improving workplaces through dialogue, education, and collaboration.
The announcement was formally introduced during the 2026 Texas Labor-Management Conference in San Antonio, where conference attendees learned about the organization’s expanded statewide vision and future initiatives.
As Texas LERA begins this new chapter, the organization’s commitment remains unchanged: creating respectful spaces where diverse perspectives can come together to solve workplace challenges and build better labor-management relationships.
2026 Texas Labor Management Conference
REQUEST FOR WORKSHOP PRESENTER PROPOSALS (RFP)
Submission Deadline: May 13, 2026, Wednesday at 5:00 pm CST
Conference Dates: Monday, June 29th to Wednesday, July 1, 2026
Conference Theme: “Partnership and Practice – Joint Strategies for Success!”
Conference location: Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk
123 Losoya Street, San Antonio, Texas 78205 phone: 210-222-1234
Group Booking | Hyatt Events Group Code: G-TXLM
PROPOSAL FORM
The Texas Labor Management Conference welcomes proposals for sessions addressing this year’s theme “Partnership and Practice – Joint Strategies for Success!”. We seek contributions from a broad range of perspectives and disciplines and encourage proposals incorporating a balance of perspectives, expertise, and content.
Please submit your proposal in Microsoft Word format using this form. Do not submit read-only PDFs. If you have more than one proposal, use a separate form for each.
Workshops should support the theme in some way and are 1 hour and 15 minutes in length.
All written information submitted may be used by the TXLMC Program Committee to make programming decisions and for use in published and/or digital promotional materials.
Please take care to edit your submission carefully.
We are a non-profit organization and cannot pay for workshop presenter. However, if you are selected as a presenter, you are invited, at no charge to you, to participate in the conference on the day of your workshop presentation/s. You are also invited to attend the conference evening’s event, Casino Night and the Hall of Fame luncheon.
1. Presenter(s)
Please provide the information requested below. If your proposal includes more than one presenter, copy and complete this page separately for each program presenter and identify one of the presenters as the coordinator of your program.
Name: Click here to enter text.
☐Presenter and Coordinator (single contact)
☐Presenter
☐Coordinator
Organization:
Address:
Telephone:
Email:
Website:
Biography (Max. 150 words):
Any biographical information you provide may be used in conference materials, if your proposal is accepted. You may also submit a CV as an attachment to supplement your biographical information. Submit a photo for conference workshop promotion.
Prior Presentation Experience:
Describe relevant past experience for the committee to consider. You may insert URL links or attach a separate page.
2. Proposed Program
Emphasis area(s) of your program (select all that apply):
☐ Med-Arb ☐ Government
☐ Arbitration/Practice Tips ☐ Intercultural/Diversity
☐ Communication ☐ Mediation
☐ Public Policy ☐ Neuroscience
☐ Conflict ☐ Ethics
☐ Employment/Workplace ☐ General Practical Collaboration Tools
☐ Other:
Program Title:
Please provide three (3) alternative program titles for use in conference materials (15-word maximum per title).
Click or tap here to enter text.
Program Description:
Please provide a short program description for use in conference materials (50-word maximum).
You may provide a more detailed description of your program in the space below, no longer than one page, to more fully describe your proposal to the committee (and which may be used in conference materials).
Has the proposed program been presented before?
☐ Yes ☐ No
If yes, where and when?
Have any presenters for this program spoken at a prior Texas Labor Management Conference?
☐ Yes ☐ No
If yes, whom, where and when?
Program level (select below):
☐ Basic ☐ Intermediate ☐ Advanced
3. Presentation Style (select all that apply):
☐ Solo Presentation and Discussion Hybrid
☐ Solo Presentation
☐ Panel Presentation
☐ Panel Discussion
☐ Roundtable Sessions
☐ Highly Interactive
☐ Other:
4. Audio/Visual and Technology Requirements
Email your proposal to: texaslabormanagement@gmail.com
On the Subject line of your email, you must state: “TXLMC Conference RFP”
NOTIFICATION OF PROPOSAL SELECTION
The TXLMC Program Committee will review all proposals received by the May 13, 2026, deadline. Those who submitted a proposal will be notified of their status by May 15, 2026.
Again, please email your proposal to: texaslabormanagement@gmail.com
And add this title “TXLMC Conference RFP” to the subject line of your email.
Thank you for taking the time to submit a proposal.
——- Original Message ———-
From: Texas Labor Management Conference
To: undisclosed-recipients@missing-domain, missing-domain
Date: 04/30/2026 6:00 PM CDT
Subject: TXLMC Hall of Fame: NOMINATIONS OPEN
Greetings,
In 2002, the Texas Labor Management Conference established a Hall of Fame to recognize individuals who have made a significant impact on labor/management relations while serving as a management official, union official or in academia.
It is once again that time of year for you to submit your recommendations for someone whom you believe has contributed to labor/management relations in such a way as to warrant receiving the highest honor from the Texas Labor Management Conference – Induction into the TXLMC Hall of Fame.
See following document for additional information and submission instructions. The deadline for submissions is Friday May 15, 2026 at 5:00pm CST.
Additionally, visit us online at www.txlmc.org for easy registration and sponsorship opportunities.
We look forward to you joining us as we refine joint strategies for success!
This year, we are excited to announce that The Texas Labor Management Conference is proudly presented in partnership with Houston LERA!
Hall of Fame Committee
Texas Labor Management Conference
P.O. Box 12727
Austin, TX 78711
www.txlmc.org
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Texas Labor-Management Conference 2026
P.O. Box 12727
Austin, TX 78711
Conference Theme: “Partnership in Practice –
Joint Strategies for Success”
To: Current TXLMC Board Members
Subject: 2026 TXLMC Hall of Fame Nominations
Deadline for Submissions: May 15, 2026, Friday at 5:00 pm CST
Hello Friends –
In 2002 the Texas Labor Management Conference established a Hall of Fame to recognize individuals who have made a significant impact on labor/management relations while serving as a management official, union official or in academia.
It is once again that time of year for you to submit your recommendations for someone whom you believe has contributed to labor/management relations in such a way as to warrant receiving the highest honor from the Texas Labor Management Conference – Induction into the TXLMC Hall of Fame.
As you consider an individual for nomination, we would ask that you consider the following criteria and only nominate individuals who have:
• A minimum of 2 years of experience in the labor/management relations field while serving as a management official, union official or in academia;
• Held important leadership roles in the labor/management relations field while serving as a management official, union official or academia; and,
• Made a significant impact on labor/management relations while serving as a management official, union official or academia.
Once a potential nominee has satisfied the above three criteria, the Board will evaluate the nominees based on the above and the following criteria:
• Has the nominee participated in past Labor/Management Conferences, if so, in what capacity, (Donor, Participant, Producer, or Presenter)?
• Is the nominee’s labor/management philosophy consistent with cooperation and collaboration between labor and management?
• Is the nominee’s continuous action in the field of labor/management relations an indication that he/she is committed to joint labor/management cooperation?
• Has the nominee previously received recognition for their outstanding contribution in the field of labor/management relations?
• Has the nominee exhibited courage in fostering collaborative relations between labor and management?
The Board will consider applicants in the field of Labor/Management Relations and will select a maximum of 3 inductees, one each from the Private Sector, Public/Federal Sector and Academia. If one from each category cannot be found, the selectees may come from the same category.
If you have any questions regarding the nomination process, please call or e-mail
Judy Cortez at (512) 915-4577, judy@transformationwrx.com or texaslabormanagement@gmail.com
Thank you in advance for your participation in the nomination process for the 2026 TXLMC Hall of Fame
-On behalf of your 2026 TXLMC Hall of Fame Committee
Judy Cortez-Committee Chair
Committee Members: Larry Chamberlain, Jean Hervey, Thom McDaniel
****************************************************************************************************
TXLMC 2026 Hall of Fame Nomination Form & Questionnaire
Your Name:
Your Email Address:
Your Best Contact Number:
Nominee’s Name:
Nominee’s Organization
Nominee’s Title:
Nominee’s E-mail Address:
Nominee’s Best Contact Number:
Nominee’s Address:
City State Zip
Note: Please Complete the below Questionnaire in support of your nominee and include as many additional pages as necessary to adequately answer each question.
We have included a list of past inductees for your reference as you are considering nominations.
E-Mail Completed Form to: texaslabormanagement@gmail.com Attn: TXLMC 2026 Hall of Fame Committee
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS: May 15, 2026, at 5:00 pm CST
Should you have any questions about the nomination process or if you have any difficulty scanning and/or e-mailing you can contact Judy Cortez at (512) 915-4577, judy@transformationwrx.com or texaslabormanagement@gmail.com
2026 TXLMC Hall of Fame Nomination Questionnaire
1. Does the nominee have a minimum of 2 years’ experience in the labor/management relation field while serving as a management official, union official or in academia? Please provide some detail regarding experience.
2. Has the nominee held important leadership roles in the labor/management relations field while serving as a management official, union official or academia? Please provide some detail on the various roles held.
3. Describe how you believe the nominee has made a significant impact on labor/management relations while serving as a management official, union official or academia.
4. Has the nominee participated in past Labor/Management Conferences, if so, in what capacity, (Donor, Participant, Producer, or Presenter)?
5. Is the nominee’s labor/management philosophy consistent with cooperation and collaboration between labor and management? Please provide examples.
6. Is the nominee’s continuous action in the field of labor/management relations an indication that he/she is committed to joint labor/management cooperation? Please provide examples.
7. Has the nominee previously received recognition for their outstanding contribution in the field of labor/management relations? Please list.
8. Has the nominee exhibited courage in fostering collaborative relations between labor and management? Please provide examples.
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TEXAS LABOR MANAGEMENT CONFERENCES HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES 2003-2025
2025
Carol Guthrie, Business Manager, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 1624
Cathy Stevens, Commissioner of Mediation, Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service [retired]
2024
F. David Alexander, Neutral/Arbitrator/Professor, Angelo State University
Tom Carlin, International Representative, TWU International
Bill Williams, Sr., Secretary Treasurer South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District, International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA)
2023
Shareen Larmond, President, West Gulf Maritime Association (WGMA)
Steve Sanders, Foreman, International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) – Local 24
2022
Jack Kirfman, Political Director, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 1624
2021
Claude Cummings, Jr., Vice President, Communications Workers of America
Rick Levy, President, Texas AFL-CIO
2019
Lee Forbes, Director of Human Relations, Texas AFL-CIO
Gwen Dunivent York, Southwest Airlines Flight Attendant
Clyde Fitzgerald, President Emeritus, South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District, ILA
2018
Lisa J. Alonzo, Executive Director, Alamo Federal Executive Board
John B. Patrick, Texas AFL-CIO President [retired]
Dave Renfro, Commissioner of Mediation, Federal Mediation & Conciliation Services [retired]
2017
John Bland, International Administrative Vice President, Transport Workers Union of America
Clint Hart, Commissioner of Mediation, Federal Mediation & Conciliation Services [retired]
Michael W. Cunningham, Executive Director & Sec.-Treasurer., Texas Building Trades Council[retired]
Thom McDaniel, International Vice President, Transport Workers Union of America
LG Moore, Intl. Regional Director, International Union of Operating Engineers [posthumously]
2016
Terry R. Cowan, CEO, Workers Assistance Program [retired]
John D. Harris, Commissioner of Mediation, Federal Mediation & Conciliation Services [retired] Benny Holland, Jr., Executive Vice-President Emeritus, International Longshoremen’s Association
2015
Linda Bridges, President, Texas American Federation of Teachers [posthumously]
Robert “Bob” Martinez, General Vice-President, International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers
2014
John Cole, President, Texas American Federation of Teachers
Steve Fischer, Commissioner of Mediation, Federal Mediation & Conciliation Services
Todd Rogers, PAE Corporation
2013
Becky Moeller, President, Texas AFL-CIO
Joe Harris, Senior Labor Counsel, Southwest Airlines
2012
Betty Height, President Emerita, USW Local Union #13-895 Jack Lambert, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co [retired]
2011
Keith Casey, Plant Manager, BP North America Emmett Sheppard, President, TX AFL-CIO
2010
R. Thomas Buffenbarger, President, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
Leo W Gerard, President, United Steel Workers
Robert Malone, BP North America (retired)
Stephen L. Williams, Director, Houston Department of Health and Human Services
2009
Ray Soliz, USW International Union Local 13-1
John Penny, Chevron Phillips Company
John Nash, Smith County Central Labor Council
2008
Colleen C. Barrett, President and Corporate Secretary, Southwest Airlines
Jackie St. Clair, Secretary-Treasurer, Texas AFL-CIO (retired)
2007
Pat L. Lane, IAMAW District Lodge 776 (retired)
Tommy M. Lambright, BP Products North America (retired)
Jerry Sparks, United Steel Workers Local 13-423
2006
Herbert D. Kelleher, CEO, Southwest Airlines Harry Hubbard, President, Texas AFL-CIO (retired) 2005
S. ‘Hank’ Brown, President, Texas AFL-CIO (retired)
2004
Romeo Garcia, ADR Program, Lackland AFB
Allen Barnes, PACE Union
William McKee, Professor/Arbitrator, University of North Texas
2003
Linda Chavez-Thompson, Executive Vice President, AFL-CIO
John R. Everman, Commissioner of Mediation, Federal Mediation & Conciliation Services
Paul L. Clark, BP
Joe Gunn, Texas AFL-CIO
George Hooper, IAMAW
Dale Johnson, Commissioner of Mediation, Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service
Dr. Ray Marshall, Professor Emeritus and Audrey and Bernard Rappaport Centennial Chair in Economics and Public Affairs, University of Texas
Bernard Rapoport, Chairman Emeritus and Founder, American Income Life Insurance Company
John Calhoun Wells, Wells and Associates
Houston LERA has elected officials who will hold office between 2018 and 2020. They include President Walter L. Darr, Jr., Commissioner, FMCS; 1st Vice President Patrick M. Flynn, Attorney; 2nd Vice President Paul J. Puente, President, Gulf Coast Building Trades; Secretary/Treasurers Lori Laconta, Arbitrator/Mediator and Mickey Brock, Arbitrator; and Recorder Joseph “Chip” Galagaza, Jackson Lewis P.C. Thank you for your leadership and service.