Press Releases

  • 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,…

  • Saunders: ‘Political violence has no place in our nation’

    AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement after a shooting occurred at a Trump Rally in Butler, Pennsylvania: “Political violence has no place in our nation. We resoundingly condemn this act. Our thoughts and…

  • 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…

  • AFSCME’s Saunders: Let Juneteenth, our nation’s second Independence Day, serve as a call to action

    WASHINGTON – AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement in recognition of Juneteenth: “Juneteenth is a moment for celebration, as we recognize the end of slavery and the freedom that Black Americans fought so…

  • 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…

  • Saunders pays tribute to Rev. Lawson, ‘one of the greatest architects of social change in recent American history’

    WASHINGTON– AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement on the death of the Reverend James Lawson:   “We have lost an educator, an activist, a pastor, a civil rights giant and one of the…

  • AFSCME’s Saunders: New Hatch Act guidance strengthens executive branch commitment to public service

    WASHINGTON – AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement after the Office of the Special Counsel announced an update to its approach to enforcing the Hatch Act:   “Americans expect executive branch employees to stay out…

  • AFSCME’s Saunders: During EMS week, we celebrate the essential workers who race to our side when we need them most

    WASHINGTON – AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement recognizing National EMS Week, which is happening May 19-25, 2024: “When disaster strikes, EMS professionals never flinch or hesitate. They often risk their own safety…

  • AFSCME’s Saunders: International Museum Day comes as cultural workers across the country are making a stand

    WASHINGTON – AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement recognizing International Museum Day: “Many people have cherished stories about the trips they took to museums and what they learned about themselves and the world.…