Public Service Workers Unite: The Battle for America's Future

Ladies and Gentlemen, buckle up! We're diving headfirst into the most critical battle of our time: the fight to save America's public services from the billionaire-backed budget cuts that threaten to devastate our communities. The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the National Education Association (NEA), and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) have launched a massive campaign called "Put Families First." With over 8.3 million members, these unions are sounding the alarm and demanding that Congress prioritize working families over billionaire tax breaks.

The stakes are high, folks. Anti-union extremists are pushing a federal budget that would slash public services and vital programs like Medicaid. One-third of all states’ budgets rely on federal dollars. Without this funding, hospitals, schools, nursing homes, and vital community centers could shutter, leaving millions of working families behind. This is a disaster in the making, and we need to act now!

Public service workers across the country have been sounding the alarm for months. They've been talking to their co-workers, organizing town halls, and calling members of Congress to demand that they put working families before billionaires. Now, they're turning up the heat with a $2 million media campaign and mobilization effort targeting 17 key congressional districts. This is a battle cry, and it's time for all of us to join the fight.

AFSCME President Lee Saunders put it bluntly: "Congress’ proposed budget plan will spell disaster for working families and hurt our economy. These budget cuts don’t just threaten Medicaid or food assistance; they put all of us at risk. From overcrowded hospitals to underfunded schools to short-staffed prisons, our communities will pay the price – all so billionaires can get richer. We’re fighting back to protect public services and the essential work we do. Congress must stop the cuts."

AFT President Randi Weingarten echoed this sentiment, saying, "Our unions represent the people who make a difference in the lives of others – and the public services they provide are in grave danger because of the reckless and chaotic cuts of Elon Musk and the Trump administration. Their goal is the gutting of the schools and hospitals that help working Americans have a shot at a better life. And for what? To pay for tax cuts for billionaires. These ads send a message to Congress about the human toll of the administration’s attacks and make the convincing case that it’s time to put families, not ultra-wealthy donors, first."

National Education Association President Becky Pringle added, "Across the country, educators do everything in their power to support every student, ensuring each student feels safe, seen, and is prepared for the future. Meanwhile, Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and their MAGA allies are working to cut Head Start for over 800,000 kids, closing local hospitals so rural families will have to travel long distances to get care, and ballooning class sizes in public schools across America – all so they can enrich themselves. We refuse to be silent. Over 8.3 million workers who have dedicated their lives to educating our students and building stronger communities are standing together to sound the alarm on these reckless cuts Trump is pushing so he can pay for tax giveaways to billionaires. Educators will continue organizing, mobilizing, and growing the movement to put families first."

SEIU President April Verrett summed it up perfectly: "Medicaid is a lifeline for working people. Congress is trying to rip that lifeline away to fund billions in tax breaks to the ultra-rich. Slashing Medicaid means seniors losing home care and kids missing out on the care they need. Let’s call this what it is: stealing from everyday people and giving handouts to billionaires. That’s why SEIU members and our allies are calling a Code Blue on Medicaid, because lives are on the line."

The ads will feature front-line members of AFSCME, AFT, SEIU, and NEA – educators, nurses, care providers, and more – whose jobs will be directly impacted by federal funding cuts. The four unions will share their stories within targeted congressional districts via television, streaming, social media, and more. This is a call to action, and it's time for all of us to stand up and fight for our communities.

So, what can you do? Call your representatives today and demand: NO BUDGET CUTS TO PAY FOR BILLIONAIRE TAX BREAKS! Let’s GO! This is a battle for the future of America, and we need to fight with everything we've got. The time to act is now!