Press Releases

  • AFSCME’s Saunders: Front-line health care workers need a leader at HHS who shares their values – not RFK Jr.

    WASHINGTON – AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement in opposition to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s confirmation to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS):   “Front-line health care workers need a…

  • Unions Expand Suit to Block Elon Musk from Accessing Private Data at DOL, HHS and CFPB

    The AFL-CIO, AFGE, AFSCME, AFT, CWA, SEIU, Economic Policy Institute, and partner organizations are expanding their legal challenge to stop DOGE’s takeover of Americans’ private data   (Washington, D.C.)—A coalition of the AFL-CIO, unions, an…

  • AFSCME’s Saunders: We remain committed to fighting illegal attacks on worker freedoms

    WASHINGTON – AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement in response to the judge’s decision to allow the deferred resignation program to proceed:   “AFSCME and our partners remain committed to stopping this illegal…

  • AFSCME’s Saunders: Federal workers protect the public. That’s why they’re under attack.

    WASHINGTON – AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement after President Trump signed an Executive Order directing DOGE to slash the federal workforce:   “It is unsurprising that an administration run by billionaires is…

  • AFSCME’s Saunders on Fork Directive Lawsuit: We must continue to stop the purge of federal workers

    WASHINGTON – AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement after a federal judge continued the pause on the Trump administration’s deferred resignation program for federal employees:   “We are pleased with the judge’s decision…

  • AFSCME’s Saunders: Workers and communities are paying the price of the administration dismantling federal agencies

    WASHINGTON – AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement after AFSCME members at the U.S. Department of Agriculture were placed on administrative leave to be furloughed:   “Federal workers and America’s communities are starting…

  • AFSCME’s Saunders: Russell Vought’s confirmation signals public services are on the chopping block

    WASHINGTON – AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement on Russell Vought’s confirmation as Office of Management and Budget director:   “Russell Vought’s singular goal for decades has been to gut public services and…

  • AFSCME’s Saunders on judge blocking White House Fork Directive: ‘This is a great first step’

    WASHINGTON – AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement after a federal judge granted AFSCME’s motion to temporarily block the Trump administration’s deferred resignation deadline for federal employees:   “This is a great first…

  • Saunders on DOGE targeting the Department of Labor: Musk will have to go through unions and working people

    WASHINGTON – AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement as workers today protested Elon Musk’s plans to target the Department of Labor: “It’s not surprising that Elon Musk has ordered his DOGE cronies to…

  • 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…