Fred Redmond, Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the upcoming nationwide bus tour to “reclaim Labor Day,” criticized the Republican Party's recent policy decisions and emphasized the need to protect democracy.
The AFL-CIO is launching a bus tour next week, culminating on Labor Day with 50 simultaneous rallies nationwide. Redmond explained that the tour aims to give workers a voice amidst federal government policies that negatively impact working families. The labor federation plans to visit picket lines, support contract campaigns and hold rallies to highlight workers' issues and protest against what they see as attacks on labor rights.
Redmond expressed surprise at the speed and intensity with which the Republican Party implements policies outlined in Project 2025, a conservative policy blueprint. He criticized the GOP for rubber-stamping a program that he believes will seriously affect working families' healthcare, education and social services. Redmond said that the current Republican Party has abandoned its traditional values and was critical of the way he feels the party extremists are promoting one man's agenda at the expense of working people.
The AFL-CIO leader emphasized the importance of preserving democracy and resisting what he views as a shift towards a fascist, totalitarian form of government. Redmond called for unity among all working people, union and non-union alike, to fight against policies that favor billionaires at the expense of the working class. He stressed the need to maintain the separation of powers and representative government, rejecting the idea of rule by "King Donald."
Listen to the full episode for more from Fred Redmond.
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