Fred Redmond, Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the labor movement's path forward. Redmond discussed the upcoming 2025 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Civil and Human Rights Conference and how it sets the stage for the AFL-CIO's plans for the year.
As we enter a new year, the labor movement stands at a pivotal crossroads. With challenges mounting and opportunities on the horizon. Redmond discussed how the upcoming Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Civil and Human Rights Conference, which will take place in Austin, Texas, will showcase the AFL-CIO’s strategy for 2025. He said the conference aims to strategize on safeguarding voting rights, planning union organizing efforts and preparing the next generation of activists. Redmond highlighted the need for a unified approach to tackle the challenges ahead.
Reflecting on the past year's efforts, Redmond noted a remarkable 400 percent increase in volunteers from 2022. This surge in participation underscores the labor movement's growing momentum. Redmond said the AFL-CIO’s goal is to help member unions organize. He said there needs to be a greater emphasis on the need to expand union membership and build a more powerful labor movement.
Redmond outlined the AFL-CIO's commitment to defending the rights gained under the Biden-Harris administration, including promoting project labor agreements and ending sub-minimum wages for workers with disabilities. He stressed the importance of organizing to secure better wages, healthcare and job security for all workers. To face the challenges of 2025, Redmond called for building coalitions with allies and partners. Through a collective approach, he believes the labor movement can drive meaningful change.
For more from Redmond, listen to the full episode above.