A look back at a year in leadership with Fred Redmond

Secretary-Treasurer for the AFL-CIO, Fred Redmond, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the year since he was elected to his current position. Redmond also discussed the state of President Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan and the 130th anniversary of the Battle of Homestead.

It has been an exciting year for Redmond since being elected Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO, becoming the highest-ranking African-American for the AFL-CIO. Together with Liz Schuler — elected as the first female president of AFL-CIO –- they have been building on promises made at the national convention. The main improvement has come from an increased focus on organizing, which was done by consulting with leaders throughout the labor movement. Redmond and the AFL-CIO believe this is a moment in history that organized labor needs to capitalize on, with nearly 70 percent of Americans supporting unions.

After the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that the Department of Education exceeded its authority when it moved to wipe out nearly $400 billion in federal student loan debt, President Biden is left searching for ways to properly reinstate the policy. Redmond believes the ruling shows the hypocrisy of Congress and the courts. After voting to forgive billions of dollars of debt owed by companies from the Paycheck Protection Policy loans, to deny the same to citizens is hypocritical, he said. This was an opportunity for the courts and members of Congress to stand with the working class, but with their decision, they chose companies over citizens.

June 6 served as the 130th anniversary of the Battle of Homestead. Redmond retells the story that led to the horrific events at the Homestead Steel Mill. It was a devastating moment in history. However, it showed that workers would put their life on the line to keep their right to bargain collectively. The Battle brought attention to the unfair conditions in steel mills and led to a wave of steel industry workers uniting to form the foundation for the United Steel Workers. 

Listen to the entire episode to learn more.