AFL-CIO Bus Tour Stops at NAACP Convention in Charlotte to Highlight ‘Fierce Urgency’ of Worker Solidarity
The “It’s Better in a Union” bus tour stopped in Charlotte, North Carolina, yesterday at the NAACP’s national convention to participate in a rousing press conference with labor leaders, union members and NAACP leadership.
The bus tour rolled into the 116th NAACP National Convention—the theme of which is “The Fierce Urgency of Now.” We were proud to have our bus tour take part in the NAACP’s convention, in recognition of the deep history of solidarity between the civil rights movement and the labor movement and the need for all of us to stand united against the Trump administration’s attacks on working people.
Workers spoke about the power of collective bargaining and how joining a union empowers them. Union leaders slammed the Trump administration’s and DOGE’s assaults on federal agencies that protect workers and the gutting of funding for essential services and called for working people to fight back.
AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond opened the press conference by detailing how President Trump’s budget bill will impact working North Carolinians and people across America. “When rural hospitals close, when people lose health coverage—and state officials are saying that nearly a million North Carolinians will be dropped from Medicaid—we’re going to let them know who is responsible,” said Redmond. “We’re going to make sure every working person hears the truth about the dire consequences Trump’s budget bill will have on all of our lives. We’re also going to make sure every working person knows that the American labor movement is here for them.”
The bus is staying in North Carolina today for a solidarity rally with the Communications Workers of America (CWA) to support Wells Fargo workers who are unionizing. After that, the bus will head to South Carolina for a tour stop tomorrow.