Labor leaders and workers gathered at the AFL-CIO headquarters in Washington, D.C., to initiate the “It’s Better in a Union: Fighting for Freedom, Fairness and Security” bus tour. The tour aims to address issues such as corporate profits and rising costs while amplifying workers’ voices across 26 states.
AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler emphasized the importance of union jobs, stating, “Working people are the backbone of this country… The answer is a good union job.” The rally marked the beginning of a summer campaign to engage with workers on organizing workplaces and securing fair contracts.
The bus tour will include visits to picket lines, support organizing campaigns, and discussions with workers affected by policy changes. AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond highlighted betrayal by current administration policies: “We’re getting on this bus to make sure they know who sold us out.”
Speakers at the event included several labor leaders such as Lee Saunders from AFSCME, Evelyn DeJesus from AFT, Claude Cummings Jr. from CWA, among others. Following the kickoff rally, the bus joined UNITE HERE Local 23 for an event focused on protecting food service jobs at the U.S. House of Representatives.
The next stop for the bus is Newport News, Virginia on July 12 with USW participation to discuss impacts on veterans’ jobs due to administrative cuts. Updates can be followed @AFLCIO across social media platforms.
