AFSCME’s Saunders: We will continue to stand with workers and fight these efforts to destroy public service
WASHINGTON – AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement after President Trump signed an executive order Friday to dismantle seven federal agencies. The order could directly impact AFSCME members who work for Voice of America:
“AFSCME members at Voice of America work tirelessly to provide objective and reliable news media to citizens across the globe. Their work – delivered in nearly 50 different languages – is a symbol of how a free press should operate. And last night, the administration just moved to shut them down and other important agencies as part of a slash-and-burn effort to destroy public services no matter the cost to working families or our communities.“This executive order also shamefully takes aim at the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service which helps to prevent and resolve work stoppages and the Institute of Museum and Library Services which funds and supports countless cultural institutions. Investment in cultural funding ensures that AFSCME members can continue to inspire a love of learning, creativity, history and art at our nation’s museums and libraries.“Our union has been fighting these efforts to undermine the integrity of a nonpartisan, qualified public service. And we will continue to fight to protect workers against these thinly veiled attempts to politicize and eliminate the essential work they do.”
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