Skip to main content

Department of People Who Work for a Living

DPWL recently held nationwide hearings to amplify workers' voices on federal policy. Participants expressed deep concern over cuts to federal jobs and services, criticizing the Trump administration’s disregard for civil servants and attacks on protections for working people.

Federal unions—and all unions—are under attack.

The Trump administration took its most blatantly anti-worker, anti-union action yet: an executive order stripping the right to organize from hundreds of thousands of federal workers at more than 30 agencies. If President Trump can cancel union contracts, no worker in America is safe.

Take Action

Latest News

Latest Videos

6/21 Labor Walk for Sean Ryan after Buffalo United Rally!

Learn More >
< Back

6/21 Labor Walk for Sean Ryan after Buffalo United Rally!

Details

Join the Buffalo Central Labor Council in support of our endorsed candidate for Buffalo Mayor — Sean Ryan! Democratic Primary Election Day is coming up fast and we need every union member to step up and help us reach as many union voters in the City of Buffalo as possible. Join our canvassing efforts to educate and mobilize labor union households ahead of June 24th. Sean Ryan fights for working people, and as a state legislator he has a proven record of advocating for the issues that working families care about most. Make a difference and sign-up for a canvassing shift today!

Date

Sat, Jun 21 @ 1:00PM

Location:

Hosted by New York State AFL-CIO

271 Porter Ave

Buffalo, NY 14201

6/22 Labor Walk for Sean Ryan - FINAL Day of Early Vote!

Learn More >
< Back

6/22 Labor Walk for Sean Ryan - FINAL Day of Early Vote!

Details

Join the Buffalo Central Labor Council in support of our endorsed candidate for Buffalo Mayor — Sean Ryan! **This event location is TBD. Sign-up today and details will be shared soon!** Democratic Primary Election Day is coming up fast and we need every union member to step up and help us reach as many union voters in the City of Buffalo as possible. Join our canvassing efforts to educate and mobilize labor union households ahead of June 24th. Sean Ryan fights for working people, and as a state legislator he has a proven record of advocating for the issues that working families care about most. Make a difference and sign-up for a canvassing shift today!

Date

Sun, Jun 22 @ 12:00PM

Location:

Hosted by New York State AFL-CIO

2421 Main St Suite 120

Buffalo, NY 14214

6/23 Labor for Sean Ryan - Walk or Phone Bank!

Learn More >
< Back

6/23 Labor for Sean Ryan - Walk or Phone Bank!

Details

Join the Buffalo Central Labor Council in support of our endorsed candidate for Buffalo Mayor — Sean Ryan! **For this event, phone banking will be available virtually or in-person all day, and Labor walk lists will also be available out of the WNY Area Labor Federation offices for union households across the City of Buffalo!** Democratic Primary Election Day is coming up fast and we need every union member to step up and help us reach as many union voters in the City of Buffalo as possible. Join our voter contact efforts to educate and mobilize labor union households ahead of June 24th. Sean Ryan fights for working people, and as a state legislator he has a proven record of advocating for the issues that working families care about most. Make a difference and sign-up for a phone banking shift today!

Date

Mon, Jun 23 @ 8:00AM

Location:

Hosted by New York State AFL-CIO

2421 Main St Suite 120

Buffalo, NY 14214

6/24 Election Day - Labor for Sean Ryan!

Learn More >
< Back

6/24 Election Day - Labor for Sean Ryan!

Details

Join the Buffalo Central Labor Council in support of our endorsed candidate for Buffalo Mayor — Sean Ryan! **For this event, phone banking will be available virtually or in-person all day, and Labor walk lists will also be available out of the WNY Area Labor Federation offices for union households across the City of Buffalo!** Democratic Primary Election Day is coming up fast and we need every union member to step up and help us reach as many union voters in the City of Buffalo as possible. Join our voter contact efforts to educate and mobilize labor union households ahead of June 24th. Sean Ryan fights for working people, and as a state legislator he has a proven record of advocating for the issues that working families care about most. Make a difference and sign-up for a phone banking shift today!

Date

Tue, Jun 24 @ 8:00AM

Location:

Hosted by New York State AFL-CIO

2421 Main St Suite 120

Buffalo, NY 14214

AFT Massachusetts Lobby Day!

Learn More >
< Back

AFT Massachusetts Lobby Day!

Details

Join fellow AFT Massachusetts members from across the Commonwealth for our 2025 legislative lobby day! What’s a lobby day, you ask? It’s a fun and easy way for members to gather in community and win support from our elected officials for key legislation that we’re fighting to pass to secure support and funding for our schools, our retirees, and our paraprofessionals. We’ll chat with legislators and their staff to share our experience and expertise as educators—you’ll be trained and supported throughout the day! There is nothing more powerful than your story. Legislators need to hear from our members about exactly how legislation before them this session could transform our lives and our schools. Children of all ages welcome! Childcare will be provided for kids who don’t want to join for legislators meetings (though it’s wonderful for them to join!). Breakfast and lunch will be provided. RSVP today!

Date

Wed, Jun 25 @ 9:30AM

Location:

Hosted by AFT

Massachusetts State House

24 Beacon St Room 428

Boston, MA 02133

Cleveland Rally to Support the VA

Learn More >
< Back

Cleveland Rally to Support the VA

Details

Come join us as we rally to support the VA, its workers and the veterans it serves. It is crucial we continue to send a message to those in Washington that our veterans matter.

Date

Fri, Jun 20 @ 3:00PM

Location:

Hosted by Ohio AFL-CIO

Public Space at Lou Stokes VA Clinic

10701 East Blvd

Cleveland, OH 44106

Join Us For E-Dues Phone Banking in Louisville

Learn More >
< Back

Join Us For E-Dues Phone Banking in Louisville

Details

Join us in Louisville with the Kentucky AFL-CIO and area locals as we phone bank to get members on E-Dues!

Date

Mon, Jun 23 @ 10:00AM

Location:

Hosted by American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE)

UAW Hall Local 862

3000 Fern Valley Rd

Louisville, KY 40213

Join Us to Fight for VA Workers and Veterans in Cleveland

Learn More >
< Back

Join Us to Fight for VA Workers and Veterans in Cleveland

Details

Join us in Cleveland as we come together with AFGE Local President Darryll Bell, Veterans Assurance Founder Tim Hauser, and local elected officials to rally and fight for and protect VA workers and veterans.

Date

Fri, Jun 20 @ 3:00PM

Location:

Hosted by American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE)

Outside Cleveland VA Medical Center

East 105th Street & Martin Luther King Junior Drive

Cleveland, OH 44106

Labor Walk for Jenn Puja

Learn More >
< Back

Labor Walk for Jenn Puja

Details

We’re hitting the streets to support a true champion of working people — Jenn Puja. Join us for a Labor Walk on Saturday, 6/21. Arrive at 9:30AM for food and to gather materials. We will launch at 10AM. Together, we’ll knock doors, talk with voters, and help elect a candidate who fights for the rights of every working family. Bring your energy and your walking shoes!

Date

Sat, Jun 21 @ 9:30AM

Location:

Hosted by New York State AFL-CIO

595 Hartsdale Ave.

White Plains, NY 10607

Labor for Puja Canvass

Learn More >
< Back

Labor for Puja Canvass

Details

We’re hitting the streets to support a true champion of working people — Jenn Puja. Join us for a Labor Walk on Saturday, 6/21. Arrive for food and to gather materials for our 10 am walk; 9:30am arrival for food and to gather materials. Together, we’ll knock doors, talk with voters, and help elect a candidate who fights for the rights of every working family. Bring your energy and your walking shoes!

Date

Sat, Jun 21 @ 9:30AM

Location:

Hosted by New York State AFL-CIO

595 Hartsdale Ave.

White Plains, NY 10607

March with Labor at the 2025 Twin Cities LGBTQ+ Pride March

Learn More >
< Back

March with Labor at the 2025 Twin Cities LGBTQ+ Pride March

Details

Join the members of Minnesota AFL-CIO affiliated unions as we walk in the 2025 Twin Cities LGBTQ+ Pride March! Bring your fellow union members, wear your union’s banners and colors and let’s make sure Labor is well-represented as we fight for all workers to be treated with dignity and respect no matter who they are or who they love. Be sure to RSVP so we can share our lineup location once it's assigned.

Date

Sun, Jun 29 @ 12:00PM

Location:

Hosted by Minnesota AFL-CIO

Downtown Minneapolis

Minneapolis, MN 55402

NYSNA Labor Walk for Manna-Jo Greene in Cottekill!

Learn More >
< Back

NYSNA Labor Walk for Manna-Jo Greene in Cottekill!

Details

Join NYSNA to get out the vote for Union Strong candidate Manna-Jo Greene for Ulster County Legislature, District 19!

Date

Sat, Jun 21 @ 10:00AM

Location:

Hosted by New York State AFL-CIO

1925 Lucas Ave Ext

Cottekill, NY 12419

OSU Nurses Organization Informational Picket

Learn More >
< Back

OSU Nurses Organization Informational Picket

Details

Come support Siblings in the Ohio State University Nurses Organization at their informational picket as they fight for workplace safety, improved staffing ratios and the retention of high-quality nurses and staff.

Date

Wed, Jun 25 @ 11:00AM

Location:

Hosted by Ohio AFL-CIO

Front Lawn Outside University Hospital

410 W 10th Ave

Columbus, OH 43210

Portage County Rally For Our Postal Service

Learn More >
< Back

Portage County Rally For Our Postal Service

Details

Come join us as we rally to protect our postal service from the Trump Administration, Republicans in Congress and DOGE as they try to gut our postal service so billionaires and hedge funds can privatize it for personal profits. We will also be collecting school supplies and personal products for kids in Portage County.

Date

Sat, Jun 21 @ 1:00PM

Location:

Hosted by Ohio AFL-CIO

Public Space in front of Ravenna Post Office

150 N Chestnut St

Ravenna, OH 44266

Revitalizing the Midstate Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO

Learn More >
< Back

Revitalizing the Midstate Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO

Details

The Central New York Area Labor Federation, AFL-CIO is bringing affiliate members in Tompkins and Cortland Counties to revitalize the Midstate Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO. Affiliate members are encouraged to attend to learn how they can become more involved!

Date

Mon, Jun 23 @ 6:00PM

Location:

Hosted by New York State AFL-CIO

129 Port Watson St

Cortland, NY 13045

SOLIDARITY FRIDAY EVENT

Learn More >
< Back

SOLIDARITY FRIDAY EVENT

Details

The Nebraska State AFL-CIO and workers will be holding a Solidarity Event. This is a platform of working people, from many work sectors, expressing their views on the current administration's policies, the impact of those polices on their lives and what working people want from their government.

Date

Fri, Jun 20 @ 5:00PM

Location:

Hosted by Nebraska AFL-CIO

4625 Y St

Lincoln, NE 68503

Take action with AFL-CIO

Working people around the country are taking action. Check out these ways to get involved!

Image of a Hotel Housekeeper

Share your story

We are collecting stories from workers and working families who are affected by the Trump administration’s new policies.

We want to hear from you: How do these new policies impact your job? How do they impact the government funding and services that matter to you, your family and your community?

Worker Safety

Tell Congress to Stop the Cuts to NIOSH

NIOSH researches worker exposures to heat and wildfire smoke, workplace violence, back injuries and other chronic diseases, and state-of-the-art technologies that keep workers safe in mines.

Issues

Navigate the issues below to learn how unelected billionaires and their agenda is affecting working people.

Federal Workers

Federal workers are the heart of our government, ensuring that critical services like Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, the Department of Veterans Affairs, disaster relief and national defense run smoothly. They run our national parks, inspect our food and medicine, and keep us safe from crime, accidents and disasters.

Cuts to the federal workforce jeopardize these services, affecting millions of Americans who rely on the government to protect and secure their well-being.

Learn More

Immigration

One in five workers in America wasn’t born here. Immigrants are America’s workers, vital to the fabric of our communities, our economy and our labor movement.

The labor movement supports comprehensive immigration reform that fully protects America’s workers, reduces the exploitation of immigrant workers and reduces employers’ incentive to hire undocumented workers rather than U.S. workers. But stoking fear about immigrants, raiding schools and hospitals, and mass deporting people whose labor makes our country prosper is not only a betrayal of our values—it’s also a recipe for economic disaster.

Learn More

Labor Law

President Trump has effectively shut down the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).

The NLRB—usually led by five board members—holds union elections, investigates allegations, and resolves cases of wrongdoing brought by workers, unions or employers.

The president illegally fired a member of the labor board, Gwynne Wilcox—the first Black woman to serve on the NLRB. There are now only two sitting members of the board, which leaves it one member short of the minimum number needed for any decision-making. And by firing Wilcox, because he didn’t like her decisions, he destroyed the board’s independence.
 

Learn More

Tax and Budget Policy

Proposed Spending Cuts Would Cut Workers’ Health Care and Jobs to Pay for Tax Cuts for the Rich

Budgets are about more than just dollars and cents listed on a spreadsheet—budgets are about our values. We saw Trump’s budget priorities during his last administration: billions in proposed cuts to Social Security. Billions in proposed cuts to Medicaid. Billions in proposed cuts to public schools. Billions in proposed cuts to food assistance programs.

At the same time, the last Trump administration had plenty of money for a tax bill in 2017 that delivered trillions of dollars in special tax breaks to billionaires and giant corporations. Now the Trump administration is looking to make those tax breaks for the rich and powerful permanent in 2025.

Learn More

Where in the U.S. are government workers?

Where do government workers live? The answer may surprise you. While many assume most federal workers are based in the Washington, D.C., area, 85% of federal employees live throughout the country, with large concentrations in states like California, Texas, Florida and Georgia. Cuts would be felt nationwide, hurting local economies and services.

About one-third of federal workers are military veterans who continue to serve our country in these roles. Cuts to the federal workforce would immediately put thousands of veterans out of work.
 

In our own words

Click through the carousel to read the stories of ordinary workers who make our communities run, and see how they’re being affected by DOGE and the Trump administration’s executive orders.

Join Us

Sign up for mobile messages from the AFL-CIO. Message and data rates apply. Reply STOP to unsubscribe. Reply HELP for help. You will receive periodic messages with updates and news about our work.