Union Rally Mobilizes Voters in Battleground States for 2024 Election

Union Leaders Rally to Mobilize Voters in Battleground States

In a spirited gathering in Philadelphia, the nation's foremost public service labor unions have come together as part of an expansive voter mobilization effort across pivotal battleground states. The initiative, which began in October, unites the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the National Education Association (NEA), and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT).

Liz Shuler, the president of the AFL-CIO, emphasized the critical role of labor in the upcoming election, stating, “Labor is going to be the difference maker in this election.” Her sentiments were echoed by other union leaders and volunteers committed to driving voter turnout.

April Verrett, SEIU's president, expressed gratitude to volunteers for their unwavering dedication, saying, “Thank you, Philadelphia, not just for being the birthplace of our democracy, but for being the place that helps to save our democracy.”

Becky Pringle, president of the NEA, highlighted the support from political allies, noting that Harris and Walz have consistently backed unions. “When you think you can’t knock on one more door, I need you to keep plugging away,” she urged attendees.

Randi Weingarten of the AFT addressed the impact of the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision, marking it as a historical moment where freedoms were curtailed. “All of a sudden our kids and grandkids … have fewer rights than we do,” she remarked, stressing the importance of not regressing on hard-earned rights.

The rally also addressed concerns about potential threats to freedoms posed by figures like Donald Trump and Project 2025. Weingarten rallied the crowd with optimism, declaring, “We can win this! I feel it!”

The event featured speeches from a variety of influential figures, including James Williams Jr. of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) and Derrick Johnson of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), along with other union members and Pennsylvania officials.