AFSCME members in Austin, Texas are fighting to protect public health from reckless budget cuts in the national capital.
Anti-Union extremists at Congress push cuts to programs like Medicaid which will harm public health in Austin and across the country.
Members of AFSCME LOCAL 1624 was held with their colleagues and allies of Austin Public Health on the marches of the Town Hall last week. They sent a clear message: public health workers are essential and the services they provide must be protected.
Austin could lose $ 22 million in federal funding this year. Extremist politicians want to interrupt vital programs and public services to grant thousands of tax cuts to their billionaire friends.
In Austin, programs such as vaccinations, refugee health care and community awareness are in danger. The same goes for the jobs of workers who manage these programs.
“We need elected federal leaders who will fight for workers’ families – not to brot the rich to the detriment of public health,” said Brydan Summers, president of the local section 1624. “The workers and communities who have been suspended in balance better.”
During a press conference on May 7 on the marches of the Town Hall, front -line workers shared their stories. Then they entered the public health committee and testified before the municipal council.
AFSCME members are not seated. They get up, speak and show what solidarity looks like. They made sure that their local elected officials heard the workers and the members of the community who would be the most affected by these financing cuts.