AFSCME President Warns UK Unions of Potential Anti-Worker Attacks

AFSCME Leader Warns UK Unions of Potential Threats

LIVERPOOL, England – At the recent UNISON national delegate conference, AFSCME President Lee Saunders delivered a compelling message to union members in the UK, cautioning them about the possibility of facing challenges similar to those experienced in the United States.

Saunders highlighted that Trump-style initiatives aimed at undermining democracy and workers' rights could also emerge in the UK. He pointed out that unions possess the strength to counteract such threats. In his speech, Saunders detailed the impact of the White House's actions on American workers and public services, emphasizing the need for unions to be proactive in educating and mobilizing against anti-worker politicians.

"Let this be a cautionary tale to all of you," Saunders stated. "If it's happening in the United States ... it will happen here as well."

Drawing parallels between the UK's Reform Party and the MAGA movement in the U.S., Saunders warned of the dangers posed by misinformation campaigns. He described these strategies as potentially effective unless countered by organized action, noting their appeal through economic populism and anti-immigrant rhetoric.

His remarks were met with enthusiastic support from the UNISON delegates, as he affirmed that the U.S. labor movement, alongside allies, is uniting to combat these threats.

Concluding his speech, Saunders urged UK activists to take lessons from AFSCME's experiences. "I challenge you to be fearless. I challenge you to call out lies and disinformation. I challenge you to speak plainly, boldly and unapologetically about who you are and what you stand for," he declared. "You’ve got to do that every single day. I challenge you to make the case that public service workers’ professionalism and commitment to the rule of law is absolutely vital to democracy itself."

UNISON, akin to AFSCME, represents over 1.3 million members providing public services across the UK.

UNISON praised Saunders’ address, noting it as one of the most impactful speeches heard by its delegates in recent times. Read UNISON’s detailed account of Saunders' speech here.