On the second installment of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast’s Best of 2025, we highlight the interview with Lee Saunders, President of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, from his Martin Luther King Jr. Day appearance, where he discussed the role AFSCME played in the 1968 Memphis Sanitation Workers’ Strike and shared his thoughts on Dr. King’s lasting legacy.
Saunders, a Cleveland native and son of union members, has been at the helm of AFSCME since 2012. As the first African American to serve as president of the 1.4 million-member union, Saunders brings a wealth of experience to the labor movement. He shared his journey from a labor economist to union leadership and the drive behind his dedication to fighting for workers' rights.
The 1968 Memphis Sanitation Workers' Strike exemplifies Dr. King’s message and its connection to the labor movement, Saunders said. The day before his assassination, Dr. King stood in solidarity with AFSCME members fighting for dignity and fair treatment. The iconic slogan "I Am A Man" emerged from this struggle, encapsulating the workers' demand for respect and recognition as human beings.
As many reflect on Dr. King's legacy and the struggles of the past, Saunders' words remind us that the fight for dignity, respect, and fair treatment in the workplace is far from over. This is why the labor movement strives to engage new generations of workers to carry forward the vision of a more just and equitable society.
To hear more from the Jan. 20 interview with Saunders, listen to the full episode of America's Work Force Union Podcast.