1 min read

Season 6, Episode 197

Government Shutdown: AFL-CIO's Fred Redmond on Worker Impact

AFL-CIO-Logo_400x400

 

Guest Name:


Fred Redmond

Guest Website:


AFL-CIO 

Guest Social Media:


Facebook

Twitter

YouTube

LinkedIn

Supportive Documents:


Fred Redmond, Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO, discussed the ongoing government shutdown, its impact on federal workers and the looming healthcare crisis. He highlighted the Trump administration's attacks on federal employees, a potential spike in healthcare costs and the AFL-CIO's call for responsible governance.

Redmond discussed the government shutdown and emphasized the severe consequences for federal workers. He said about 750,000 employees were locked out of their jobs and forced to choose between paying rent and buying groceries. Redmond noted that this is part of a pattern of attacks on federal workers, including firings, rehirings and stripping collective bargaining rights. He stressed that the AFL-CIO is urging the administration to fund the government, fix the healthcare crisis and prioritize workers' needs.

A healthcare crisis, Redmond warned, is a central concern of the shutdown, as it could lead to significant premium increases for individuals who obtain their insurance through the Affordable Care Act. He cited research showing that 22 million people could see their health insurance premiums more than double, while 179 million with employer-based coverage might face annual increases of $485 per person. The AFL-CIO is pushing to resolve this crisis before budget negotiations can proceed, he added. 

Redmond also addressed the political messaging surrounding the shutdown, particularly claims about undocumented workers receiving benefits. He clarified that current laws prohibit undocumented workers from accessing Medicaid, Social Security, Medicare or Affordable Care Act coverage. Redmond characterized these claims as a smokescreen and part of a strategy to repeat falsehoods until they're perceived as truth.

Listen to the full episode for more insights on the government shutdown's impact on workers and the AFL-CIO's response.


America’s Work Force is the only daily labor podcast in the US and has been on the air since 1993, supplying listeners with useful, relevant input into their daily lives through fact-finding features, in-depth interviews, informative news segments and practical consumer reports. America’s Work Force is committed to providing an accessible venue in which America's workers and their families can hear discussion on important, relevant topics such as employment, healthcare, legislative action, labor-management relations, corporate practices, finances, local and national politics, consumer reports and labor issues.

America’s Work Force Union Podcast is brought to you in part by our sponsors: AFL-CIO, American Federation of Government Employees, American Federation of Musicians Local 4, Alliance for American Manufacturing, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes-IBT, Boyd Watterson, Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, Communication Workers of America, Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust, International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Local 50, International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Crafts, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 6, Ironworkers Great Lakes District Council, Melwood, The Labor Citizen newspaper, Laborers International Union of North America, The National Labor Office of Blue Cross and Blue Shield, North Coast Area Labor Federation, Ohio Federation of Teachers, United Labor Agency, United Steelworkers.

SUBSCRIBE ON:

Group 342

Group 341

Group 343

Group 339

Group 397

Group 397