Nevada Unions Protest Trump's Project 2025, Highlight Its Threats

Union Members Rally in Nevada Against Trump's Project 2025

In Henderson, Nevada, a coalition of union members assembled to voice their concerns over the implications of Donald Trump’s Project 2025, a plan they fear could dismantle essential public services and undermine workers' rights if Trump returns to power. This demonstration, organized by AFSCME Local 4041 along with other Nevada unions, underscored the potential threats posed by the initiative.

Participants from AFSCME, SEIU Local 1107, the Nevada State AFL-CIO, and various unions statewide organized a “shred day” event. This gathering was aimed at opposing Project 2025, which they argue outlines a detrimental strategy for a potential second Trump administration.

Amidst the backdrop of a shredding truck, event speakers outlined their concerns. They warned that Project 2025 could significantly weaken union power, revoke overtime protections, remove the $35 insulin cap for seniors, and halt negotiations for drug price reductions.

Rosina Barrientos, a developmental specialist and member of Local 4041, criticized Trump’s stance on collective bargaining rights. She stated, “After winning collective bargaining rights in 2019, and winning our first collective bargaining agreement in 2021, Nevada state employees have seen great improvements to our lives. Having a union means more rights and respect in the workplace. We finally have a voice on the job and we’re not going back.”

Expressing concerns about health care, Carol Matrone, a former advocate for child care and senior issues and a member of AFSCME Nevada Retiree Chapter 4041, highlighted the threat to retirement security. “Like many of you, I believed that if you work hard, play by the rules, and look out for your community, you’d earn a little dignity when it’s time to retire,” she remarked. According to Matrone, Project 2025 could eliminate traditional Medicare and prevent the federal government from negotiating drug prices, potentially enabling pharmaceutical companies to increase costs unchecked.

Susie Martinez, executive secretary-treasurer of the Nevada State AFL-CIO, emphasized the importance of union labor to Nevada's economy and warned against the perceived extremism of Trump's plan. “We built this state. From Reno to Las Vegas, Nevada thrives on union labor. Now, these MAGA extremists want to gut it all,” she said. “They’re ready to slash the programs that keep our families afloat — your benefits, health care, your freedoms — all gone with the stroke of a pen.”

Similar sentiments were echoed in Ohio, where AFSCME members organized a corresponding “shred day” in Youngstown. These events, featuring full-size shredding trucks, symbolized the perceived threat to fundamental freedoms like union membership, affordable health care, and dignified retirement. Post-event, union members took to canvassing local communities to encourage voting against Trump's Project 2025.

For further insights, AFSCME Now has published detailed analyses on how Project 2025 could affect various sectors. Interested readers can explore these topics through articles on the project's impact on rights and freedoms, retirement security, the health care system, Medicare, and public education and the economy.

Trump's Connection to Project 2025:

• The Washington Post reported that Trump had a private meeting with Project 2025 leader Kevin Roberts and discussed plans at a Heritage Foundation Conference in 2022.
• CNN highlighted that over 140 former Trump administration officials, including six ex-cabinet secretaries, were involved in creating Project 2025.
• J.D. Vance, Trump’s running mate, wrote the foreword for a book by Kevin Roberts, a key figure in Project 2025.