President Saunders: No Time for Fair-Weather Friends
by Cynthia McCabe | February 11, 2013
AFSCME President Lee Saunders addresses members at the 2013 Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Khalid Naji-Allah)
President Lee Saunders had a message Monday for Democratic politicians who profess to stand with working families and unions while on the campaign trail, but then take a hard right turn after getting elected.
“I am sick and tired of the fair-weather Democrats who pledge to stick with us through good times and bad, in sickness and in health, but file for divorce right after the honeymoon,” Saunders said, drawing a standing ovation from the more than 500 AFSCME members attending the 2013 Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C.
He called out the anti-worker tactics of leaders like Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, comparing them to those of right-wing politicians Scott Walker of Wisconsin and John Kasich of Ohio. That message resonated with the activists in the room, who have been hit hard by efforts like Nutter’s and Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn’s to eliminate collective bargaining, terminate contracts, slash pay, pensions and other benefits and privatize public services.
“Mayor Nutter is giving tax breaks to the super rich while asking us to sacrifice,” said Ethelind Baylor, a member of AFSCME Council 33. “He’s coming for our retirement security and our rights on the job. President Saunders lends his voice to our fight.”
AFSCME activists at the Legislative Conference spent three days strategizing how to best fight these attacks nationwide.
Attendees were also called upon to seize the moment and push forward the cause of comprehensive immigration reform. AFSCME supports a reform plan that includes a path to citizenship for undocumented workers already living in the United States.
“It’s time to provide a path to citizenship that lets all men and women, regardless of their skin color or where they were born, participate fully in the life of our nation,” Saunders said. “There should be no second-class citizens in America.”
Attendees also heard from Sec.-Treas. Laura Reyes as she made it clear that immigration reform is key to AFSCME’s ongoing fight for workers. They spoke out for “Jobs Not Cuts” at a rally on Capitol Hill, then held more than 75 meetings with members of the Senate and U.S. House to urge them to build an economy that works for all, protect vital public service and commit to comprehensive immigration reform.
