Union Chief Slams Trump's Cuts and Takes on Elon Musk: "He Has No Clue About Workers"

The second Trump administration was largely marked by a concentrated attempt to reduce the workforce of federal employees.

Via the Office of Personnel Management and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, the president has utilized highly unusual resignation offers and layoffs To reduce staffing levels across various agencies such as the Department of Education and the Department of Veterans Affairs. While an official figure for layoffs hasn’t been released, approximately 62,530 federal jobs have reportedly been affected. have been cut As of now, based on information released earlier this month by the international outplacement company Challenger, Gray, & Christmas, we have seen certain reductions. It seems probable that further cutbacks will occur soon.

Labor unions have been instrumental in mounting significant legal opposition against the widespread dismissal of federal employees. In recent developments on Thursday, dual court decisions mandated the Trump administration to reintegrate these dismissed workers back into their positions. ruling In reaction to 20 Democratic state attorneys general who requested the reinstatement of terminated employees, a federal judge based in Maryland issued a statement. The second one was issued By a judge at the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, following a lawsuit filed by numerous labor unions and advocacy organizations. U.S. District Judge William Alsup instructed six federal agencies to bring back tens of thousands of provisional workers who had been dismissed based on guidelines from the OPM—a decision deemed unlawful by the court. This order was issued despite efforts by the Trump administration to oppose it. already filed an appeal in that particular case.

The American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), which stands for approximately 1.4 million public servants nationwide working in various levels of government including federal, state, and local sectors along with nonprofits, joined as one of the plaintiffs in that subsequent legal battle. AFSCME President Lee Saunders addressed this issue during an interview. 5.180.24.3 regarding the danger faced by public sector employees, understanding the sentiments of his members, and the strategies the union will employ to counteract these issues.

The interview has been revised and shortened for clarity.

5.180.24.3: How do AFSCME members feel at present?

President Saunders: They feel besieged. Despite believing strongly in the value of public services, they witness these institutions facing continuous assault from the present government.

Although they are scared, they understand that they must raise their voices and stand up against injustice. That’s precisely what they're doing. The union stands firmly behind them, emphasizing the significance of public service and questioning several actions taken by the current administration. regardless of whether it's in the courts , or whether it appears in the media, or whether it's on the streets. We will keep doing this to convey our message effectively.

AFSCME is among the plaintiffs in the case. case This decision has just been made in support of reinstating probationary federal employees who were dismissed. A lot of people view this as a victory for those working at the federal level; however, that ruling doesn’t mean This week’s deadline imposed by the Trump administration demands that all agencies submit plans to the president and the OPM for additional layoffs. What does the future hold for these employees?

This represents a major win for these employees.

It may face challenges, but we'll keep using the entire strength of the union to support such legal actions. This is crucial, yet we must also shift from just playing defense and start taking more offensive steps. Currently, what we’re focusing on is organizing, mobilizing, and educating our members nationwide through conference calls and attending community forums.

We must keep organizing as one of our key actions. Seventy percent Of Americans feel that labor unions are completely essential in this nation and 88% Of young people [they view favorably]. We will allocate resources and engage with workers, inviting them to seek representation from us or other unions to ensure they have a place at the decision-making table.

It seems that each day brings fresh developments concerning the DOGE layoffs. What tips do you have for keeping up with this constant flurry of changes?

I believe it’s the responsibility of AFSCME and the broader labor movement along with our supporters and partners to keep discussing what this administration aims to do to harm workers. It’s crucial for us to rally both members of the labor community and those who aren’t part of it yet, ensuring their voices are heard loud and clear. Sitting idle and staying quiet isn’t an option as we witness this devastation—which is precisely how I see it—occurring at the national level. This could trickle down to states and cities through potential significant reductions in federal funding. State administrations depend heavily on federal financial support to sustain various initiatives at home; they receive approximately 33% a significant portion of their revenue comes from the federal government. This assistance aids in delivering public services at the state, city, and local levels.

It revolves around continuously learning. It's about encouraging workers to break their silence, raise their voices, and combat challenges more vigorously than ever before.

When requested for commentary, a representative from the White House stated 5.180.24.3 “President Trump returned to Washington empowered by the American people to enact unparalleled changes within our federal government aimed at eradicating waste, fraud, and abuse.”

Elon Musk reposted A tweet suggesting that public sector employees were culpable for mass killings under leaders such as Hitler, Mao, and Stalin. How do you interpret this statement, along with the broader criticisms targeting public sector workers?

I'll attempt to keep my language clean, but... it's an extremely offensive remark for him to retweet and draw parallels between our public sector employees and members with the statement "Hitler, Stalin, and Mao didn’t kill millions, yet your public sector servants have." Just consider that. This is his perspective, and we must ensure this message gets communicated widely.

He hasn’t the slightest idea about the challenges that workers encounter daily. He’s unaware of their efforts to enhance the well-being of our fellow citizens in various communities nationwide and to upgrade public services. Yet, he utters such statements. It’s truly astounding, and we must ensure everyone grasps that these are his exact words and reflect the beliefs held by those in his administration.

[ 5.180.24.3 contacted Elon Musk but did not receive an answer.]

In what ways can labor unions safeguard employees when the administration aims to dismiss them?

Firstly, we're launching these legal actions. Despite recognizing that the political environment in Washington, D.C. isn’t ideal, we remain committed. As mentioned before, we must keep pressing forward and maintain our offensive stance. Our support continues unabated. the PRO Act , which would grant workers the authority to participate in discussions aimed at enhancing labor laws in this nation. We’re taking similar action with regard to the Public Right to Bargain Act for public service workers.

Every day, we can rally not just union members, but also non-union workers within our national communities because they're affected as well. Actions currently suggested influence all those dependent on public services such as Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security. These essential programs face threats, so we must leverage our strengths and take action accordingly.

This criticism of public sector employees has emerged swiftly and forcefully. What strategies can be employed to counteract the views being expressed by individuals who have extensive platforms, such as Trump and Musk?

This isn’t just affecting government employees; it’s impacting every worker out there. Currently, there’s an assault on the workforce as a whole. To address your concern, let me put it like this: The harsh truth is confronting everyone directly. Workers are losing jobs without discrimination. They’re getting terminated, and their rights are being stripped away. Public services that Americans depended on are being reduced, with plans for even greater cuts down the line. This was part of their strategy, and now they’re implementing these actions. We must ensure folks grasp how profoundly this will affect them and their loved ones. Action needs to be taken—urging individuals to stand up and speak out against such measures. Remaining passive observers would simply allow things to worsen unchecked.

This tale was initially showcased on 5.180.24.3