Employees at BookPeople, an independent bookstore in Austin, voted today to speak up together through the Office and Professional Employees International Union Local 277, setting a precedent for working families seeking better livelihoods in Texas.

Texas AFL-CIO President Rick Levy issued this statement:

"The Texas labor movement welcomes the employees of BookPeople, who today joined together to seek better lives through their union. Labor organizing in the retail environment has been rare in our state, and today's development is a real breakthrough in that industry that points the way for others."

"We congratulate the employees at BookPeople. Know that the 240,000 members of the Texas AFL-CIO stand with you in your quest. You have demonstrated that working people in retail have the choice and the power to come together to improve both their lives and the places where they work."

"This win hits home at the Texas AFL-CIO. BookPeople is an outstanding establishment that is important to us and to Austin on many levels. We look forward to promoting our state's unionized bookstore in the course of our work."

"We also want to recognize OPEIU Local 277 for their commitment to organizing the unorganized in an innovative way, and for recognizing that investing in Texas workers is the best way to grow our movement and change our state."