Union resurgence or not, working class continues to fight for respect

Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO, Fred Redmond joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the current resurgence of the labor movement. Redmond also discussed the SAG-AFTRA strike and newly proposed budget cuts in Congress.

Redmond believes the U.S. is in the middle of a resurgence of the labor movement. He’s seeing workers stand up and fight for their fair share of the record income they are helping to produce. It’s been a battle against the corporate greed that’s taken hold of businesses over the last 20 years. Redmond shared several examples of the fights against corporate greed we’ve seen so far in 2023. 

One example Redmond referenced is the fight between SAG-AFTRA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). This stalemate has been ongoing since July 14, and until recently, the AMPTP hasn’t taken negotiations seriously, Redmond said. The workers have been fighting for several improvements, with the main topics being wages to keep pace with inflation, image protection and residuals for using AI imagery and being adequately compensated for work shown through streaming services. While it’s been a long process, there is finally hope that the AMPTP is starting to negotiate in earnest, and there’s a possibility that SAG-AFTRA could receive the improvements they’re seeking, Redmond said.

The Internal Revenue Service has become the new target for major budget cuts in the newest budget cut proposal in Congress. Redmond called the new attacks unprecedented, as Congress is seeking to cut funding to the IRS and instead fund humanitarian efforts for Israel. There is also a proposed cut to 80 percent of the family and child support programs for Americans and more cuts to the education system. Redmond said proposed cuts would harm working-class Americans and cause a national economic crisis.

To hear more from Redmond, please take a listen to the show above.