Minnesota Governor Tim Walz recently spoke at the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union’s convention in Los Angeles, emphasizing his union ties and support for organized labor. Walz, a former public school teacher, highlighted the significance of being a union member on a major party presidential ticket, noting that he is the first since Ronald Reagan.
During his speech, Walz praised Vice President Kamala Harris for her efforts in supporting organized labor and expressed confidence that she would sign labor-friendly bills such as the PRO Act and the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act if she were to become president. He contrasted Harris and himself with former President Donald Trump, whom he referred to as a “scab” and accused of seeking to eliminate public sector unions.
Walz also criticized Ohio Senator JD Vance, Trump’s running mate, for his lack of support for pro-worker legislation during his time in Congress. He pointed out that Vance had never voted in favor of a pro-worker bill, highlighting a stark difference in their approaches to labor issues.
Referring to Project 2025, a presidential transition project associated with Republican allies, Walz warned that the Trump administration aimed to dismantle AFSCME and public sector unions while rolling back child labor laws. He expressed concerns about potential threats to the 40-hour workweek and the possibility of relaxing regulations on child labor under Trump’s leadership.
Walz’s speech underscored his commitment to advocating for workers’ rights and the importance of supporting unions in the face of perceived threats from the Trump administration and its allies. His remarks resonated with the audience at the convention, highlighting the ongoing debate surrounding labor policies and the role of unions in shaping the future of the workforce.
