Press Releases

  • Thousands of AFSCME members rally in downtown LA, call on University of California to provide front-line employees with a fair contract

    Today, University of California hospital and service workers held a massive rally for a fair contract. The UC workers — 30,000 of whom make up AFSCME Local 3299 — were joined by thousands of fellow…

  • Tim Walz from AFSCME Convention: ‘We know that when unions are strong, America is strong’

    LOS ANGELES – Today, in his first solo campaign event as Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz delivered a rousing speech at AFSCME’s 46thInternational Convention. AFSCME President Lee Saunders introduced the longtime labor…

  • AFSCME President Saunders delivers keynote address: We are growing. We are fearless. And we will win.

    LOS ANGELES – On Monday, Aug. 12, AFSCME President Lee Saunders delivered the keynote address at the union’s 46th International Convention in Los Angeles. The leader of the 1.4-million-member union discussed major organizing successes and the negotiation…

  • President, secretary-treasurer of AFSCME reelected by acclamation

    LOS ANGELES – The top two leaders of AFSCME, the nation’s leading public service union, were reelected Tuesday, Aug. 13, to four-year terms. Delegates reelected President Lee Saunders and Secretary-Treasurer Elissa McBride by acclamation on the second day of…

  • AFSCME’s Saunders on Harris’ VP pick: Tim Walz is a labor champion who personifies what public service is all about

    WASHINGTON – AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement after Vice President Kamala Harris announced Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate: “Tim Walz personifies what public service is all about: Doing for…

  • AFSCME’s Saunders calls out Trump’s NABJ comments, celebrates a multiracial society

    WASHINGTON – AFSCME President Lee Saunders issued the following statement about Donald Trump’s appearance Wednesday at the National Association of Black Journalists convention:  “I have two mixed-race grandchildren. And like the vast majority of African…

  • 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’…

  • AFSCME’s Saunders: We are ‘all in’ for Kamala Harris

    WASHINGTON – AFSCME President Lee Saunders issued the following statement announcing AFSCME’s endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris for president: “In a unanimous vote at a meeting this afternoon, AFSCME’s International Executive Board endorsed Vice…

  • AFSCME’s Saunders salutes President Biden’s ‘patriotism, service and sacrifice’

    WASHINGTON – AFSCME President Lee Saunders released this statement following the news that President Joe Biden is withdrawing from the presidential race: “Joe Biden is a statesman and a patriot. Throughout his years in the…

  • AFSCME’s Saunders at NAACP Labor Luncheon: We must vote for candidates who believe, as Dr. King said, that ‘all labor has dignity’

    LAS VEGAS – At a labor luncheon hosted as part of the NAACP’s national convention, AFSCME President Lee Saunders delivered a speech on the importance of civic activism, especially in this critical election year. During the event,…