Issues / Legislation
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AFSCME’s Saunders: This budget proves anti-union extremists are more concerned about tax breaks for billionaires than helping working people
WASHINGTON – AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement after the House passed a budget plan to gut Medicaid, SNAP and essential public services nationwide: “This budget proves that anti-union extremists in Congress are more concerned with giving the wealthy trillions in tax cuts than helping working people. Voters across the country are packing… Read More
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AFSCME sues to stop unlawful seizure of Social Security data
AFSCME is going to court to block DOGE from accessing your Social Security records. Read More
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AFSCME’s Saunders: Diverting funding from vital public services to billionaires is inhumane
WASHINGTON – AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement after the Senate passed a budget reconciliation package, beginning the process to cut essential public services for communities nationwide: “This budget is inhumane. If cuts to essential services are enacted, children in public schools will go hungry. Retirees who depend on Medicaid and Medicare will… Read More
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Public Service Unions and State Democracy Defenders Fund Challenge Unlawful, Mass Federal Firings
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Some of the nation’s largest public service unions have filed a lawsuit seeking to block the unlawful mass terminations of probationary federal employees, which was directed by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and its Acting Director, Charles Ezell. They allege that the firings “represent one of the most massive employment frauds… Read More
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AFSCME, UNAC sue to stop mass firings of federal probationary workers
AFSCME, UNAC and AFGE filed a lawsuit challenging the mass federal firings of probationary federal employees. Read More
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Saunders blasts RFK Jr., explains why he’s a terrible choice for health secretary
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is a terrible choice to serve as our nation’s health secretary. Read More
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McBride, federal workers blast plans by Musk, administration to slash public services
At a rally, workers denounced plans by Musk, Trump to slash federal workforce. Read More
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We can’t let anti-worker extremists in Congress cut Medicaid
AFSCME members are fighting back as anti-union extremists in Congress try to cut Medicaid. Read More
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AFSCME’s Saunders: Federal funding for transportation should not be used as a cudgel against communities
WASHINGTON – AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement in response to the USDOT memo re-directing federal funds away from communities: “Investing in our nation’s transportation is essential for maintaining strong communities and a vibrant economy. It is absurd to re-direct taxpayer dollars away from our communities because of arbitrary standards such as… Read More
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Workers need to organize to fight against looming health care attacks
Photo credit: AFSCME Staff Read More
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4 anti-worker executive actions, and how they will hurt you
Photo credit: Getty Images Read More
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AFSCME’s Saunders: White House executive orders are attacks on the entire labor movement
WASHINGTON – AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement in response to the Trump administration’s executive orders: “With the stroke of a pen, we are now on a path toward a dark era where we are not judged on our merit, but based on our race, religion, where we were born and who… Read More
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AFSCME’s Saunders: Workers deserve better than attacks on day one
WASHINGTON – AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement in response to executive orders Donald Trump signed on day one to weaken workers’ union rights: “Yesterday, Donald Trump began his presidency by signing executive orders that undermine public service workers’ voice on the job and the very principles of civil service which have… Read More
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AFSCME’s Saunders: We honor the legacy of Jimmy Carter, a man who embodied public service
WASHINGTON – AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement on the National Day of Mourning honoring the life and legacy of President Jimmy Carter: “Today, our nation pauses to honor the legacy of a man who embodied public service. Jimmy Carter spent his entire life – one hundred years – doing everything he could… Read More
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Saunders on repeal of GPO-WEP: Public service workers will finally receive the retirement they were promised
WASHINGTON – AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement after the Senate voted to repeal the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP): “This historic victory for public service workers is a product of nonstop advocacy and perseverance. For years, AFSCME members have sounded the alarm on GPO-WEP, which denied some… Read More
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Maryland state workers demand more staffing, upgrades in state agencies
Maryland members are calling attention to problems with staffing and facilities at state agencies where they work. Read More
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Wisconsin ruling against Act 10 is a step in the right direction
A Wisconsin judge ruled against Act 10, opening the door to a restoration of collective bargaining rights for all public service workers in the state. Read More
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Going from ‘in debt until the day I die’ to loan forgiveness, thanks to the Biden-Harris administration
Kelli Gray credits the Biden-Harris administration for helping her finally receive student loan forgiveness. Read More
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AFSCME’s Saunders: Supreme Court reform will end the culture of corruption that puts our rights up for sale
WASHINGTON – AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement after President Joe Biden proposed major reforms to the Supreme Court: “Within a few short years, the Supreme Court has worked to undermine workers’ rights, dismantled reproductive freedom and given a president — current or former — criminal immunity for acts committed while in… Read More
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AFSCME supports Biden’s plan to reform the Supreme Court
We support of President Joe Biden’s plan to reform the Supreme Court. Read More
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AFSCME supports new Biden administration heat standard for workers
AFSCME supports a new heat standard proposed by the U.S. Department of Labor that aims to protect workers exposed to extreme heat.070324- Read More
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AFSCME’s Saunders: New heat standards reflect the realities of working in 2024
WASHINGTON – AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Labor announced new heat standards: “Climate change is undeniable — the last eight years on earth are the hottest on record. Workers are feeling it the most, with heat-related illnesses and injuries rising alongside record temperatures. The Biden administration is… Read More
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Federal funding to help vulnerable Americans in danger of getting cut
AFSCME is fighting right-wing attacks on vulnerable Americans. Read More
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AFSCME welcomes the Public Service Worker Protection Act
AFSCME hails the introduction of the Public Service Worker Protection Act in Congress. Read More
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AFSCME’s Saunders: The Public Service Worker Protection Act would support those who have devoted their careers to helping others
WASHINGTON – AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement after Congressman Chris Deluzio introduced the Public Service Worker Protection Act: “Every worker, regardless of what they do or whom they work for, deserves to be safe and healthy on the job. Yet, 23 states actively exclude public service workers from Occupational Safety and Health… Read More
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Public service workers to benefit from Biden’s expansion of overtime protections
We applaud the Biden administration for expanding overtime protections. Read More
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AFSCME’s Saunders ahead of Workers Memorial Day: Expanding workers’ voice on the job is key to saving lives
WASHINGTON – AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement ahead of Workers Memorial Day, Sunday, April 28: “Of all the rights working people have, none is more fundamental than this: the right to return home at the end of the day, safe and unharmed. Far too many workers are killed, injured or contract serious… Read More
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Council 5 members flex pro-worker power at Minnesota Day on the Hill event
Lobby day in Minnesota brings together around 500 Council 5 members. Read More
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Corrections officers demand improvements amid staffing, safety concerns in Connecticut facilities
Connecticut corrections workers show up in force at the state capitol, demanding respect. Read More
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