WASHINGTON – AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement in response to the BLS annual report on union membership and earnings released today:
“AFSCME is proud to report that tens of thousands of new members have joined our union family. This growth comes after a year of relentless organizing, with new AFSCME locals forming in health care, emergency response, public safety, the cultural sector and more. The message we are hearing across all workplaces is clear and consistent: Organizing in a union is the best way to ensure workers have the freedom to secure a better future, especially in the face of rising attacks by billionaires and anti-union extremists who see our growth and seek to stop it.
“As the Bureau of Labor Statistics illustrates in their annual report on union membership and earnings, unionized workplaces offer higher wages and better benefits, giving workers peace of mind. This is especially true for women and workers of color who see pay gaps close when they win a seat at the table. As we move into 2025, we take this momentum with us, standing strong and committed to organizing – both internally and externally – for our seat at the table.”