Press Releases Archive
Saunders Condemns George Floyd Killing
AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement on the death of George Floyd:
“The killing of George Floyd was a shocking and heinous act of violence that demands accountability. There can be no public safety unless African Americans fe...
AFSCME Opposes Cory Wilson Confirmation to 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
AFSCME President Lee Saunders issued a statement urging the U.S. Senate to reject Cory Wilson to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals following Wilson’s confirmation hearing today before the Senate Judiciary Committee:
“In the middle of a global pand...
The Senate Must Act Immediately on Urgent Aid for America’s States, Cities and Towns
AFSCME President Lee Saunders: “This isn’t a red or blue state issue – every single community in America is being hurt because of this pandemic and urgently needs strong public services so we can beat this pandemic and safely reopen the economy.”
Front-Line Workers Recovering From COVID-19 Push Congress for State and Local Aid
Front-line workers who sacrificed their own health and safety to serve their communities urge Congress to pass robust aid for states, cities and towns to maintain public services needed to beat the coronavirus pandemic and safely reopen the economy
Supermajority of Americans Support Stimulus for States, Cities and Towns
Poll reveals widespread bipartisan backing for increasing federal aid to maintain the public services communities rely on as vote on HEROES Act nears
AFSCME’s Saunders Urges Swift Passage of State and Local Aid: ‘We Can Only Beat COVID and Restore the Economy if We Save Vital Public Services’
In response to congressional leaders unveiling the HEROES Act, AFSCME President Lee Saunders issued the following statement:
“A crisis of this magnitude demands the boldest possible response, and this bill meets the moment.
“Public service workers ar...
AFSCME’s Saunders: Job Numbers Show State & Local Aid May be ‘the Difference Between a Recession and a Depression’
AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement reacting to the April jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
“The coronavirus pandemic has triggered the most devastating economic crisis of our lifetimes. The nation ...
Black Civil Rights and Faith Leaders Pen Letter to Congress Calling for Immediate State and Local Aid
As COVID-19 disproportionately ravages African-American communities, civil rights and faith organizations representing tens of millions of Americans warn of a ‘devastating’ impact on the African-American community if Congress fails to provide aid to st...
AFSCME Launches Ads for State and Local Aid: ‘Strong Public Services’ Needed to Beat Pandemic, Re-Open Economy
“Front-Line Fighters” and “Public Service Army” launch major ad campaign in states and DC as senators return
Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown Echoes Call from Correctional Officers for Congress to Pass Immediate State and Local Aid for Front-Line Workers
Correctional officers across the country face increasingly dire work conditions as COVID-19 spreads in correctional facilities, threatening the lives of both offenders and staff