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C57 Local General Election Endorsements for 2024

Federal money for programs and services that help millions of vulnerable Americans and employ many AFSCME members could be in jeopardy next year.

No politician running for office today would openly advocate for more wealth inequality in our country, where the richest 1 percent of the population owns 40 percent of the wealth. Even candidate Donald Trump in 2016 promised to stand up for the “forgotten men and women of our country,” who feel betrayed by a rigged economic system that benefits a small minority at their expense. Yet every single day, President Trump and congressional leaders seem determined to do more to increase wealth inequality than to alleviate it; do more for corporations and the wealthy than for single parents working two or three jobs to make ends meet.

The AFSCME Council 57 Executive Board approved the following resolution in support of the Rise for Climate, Jobs and Justice March in San Francisco on Sept. 8:

"Whereas, our members and our communities are suffering the ravages of pollution and climate change, as evidenced by extreme weather, unprecedented wild fires in urban areas and wilderness, continuing drought, rising temperatures, record hurricanes and floods, and rising sea level; and

Like others around the world, I mourned the death last week of Aretha Franklin. The Queen of Soul set a new standard for enduring classic songs with both artistic and political impact, like her mega-hit “Respect,” which became an anthem for both the civil rights and women’s movements.

And that song is on my mind as we embark on a week of action dedicated to shining light on the stakes for women in the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.

AFSCME Local 315 members filled an important gap in the Inyo County community this summer by holding a food drive and raising money for local charities that feed the poor.

For months, our union was preparing for the Janus v. AFSCME case by taking steps to ensure we grow stronger despite the setback we anticipated.

So when the ruling finally came out at the end of June, it was no surprise that corporate CEOs, right-wing billionaires and wealthy special interests would try to get workers to celebrate the end of so-called fair share fees.

The Janus case was an attempt to deliver a knockout blow to millions of working people and their families who looked to the Supreme Court as an independent institution that advances equal rights and fundamental freedoms for all.