“Kicking Ass for the Working Class”
Joyful energy flowed through the Los Angeles Convention Center on the opening day of the 46th annual AFSCME International Convention. The mood wasn’t just due to the news that Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Tim Walz would be addressing the convention in person on Tuesday, August 13; during the opening minutes, delegates from around the country were treated to a series of performances, from a marching percussion band to a vibrant cover of Destiny’s Child “Survivor” flanked by a squadron of dancers. Music permeated nearly every corner of the assembly; in the entry hall, a quartet of violinists greeted the registration line.
After several introductory videos, Yvonne Wheeler, President of the LA County Federation of Labor AFL-CIO, took the stage to proclaim that not only is Los Angeles a union town, but that the LA Fed has been “building power and kicking ass for the working class” for the last several decades.
She was followed by AFSCME President Lee Saunders, who gave a rousing speech warning about the dangers of Project 2025, a Heritage Foundation manifesto that, among other things, seeks to automatically brand librarians who distribute LGBTQIA+ books as sex offenders. Numerous attendees, including the local members of 3090 who work in libraries, would be directly affected if Donald Trump, who has numerous ties to Project 2025, is elected and implements the plan. “Sounds more like Project 1925 to me,” Saunders noted.
Saunders also addressed Project 2025’s cruel advocacy for a lack of restrictions on heat-related working conditions. The state of Texas has already passed a bill that forbids local governments from regulating work breaks, which means that outdoor workers do not have a legal right to drink water and stand in the shade to ward off heat illness.
Saunders encouraged AFSCME members to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris in November, and was met with enthusiastic sign-waving and cheers. Harris will not address the convention in person, but according to Saunders will prepare a video to be shown to attendees on Wednesday, August 14.
The Los Angeles Convention Center.
President Larry Gates engaged in official business on the convention floor.
A violin quartet greeted attendees.
