Unions face extinction under Trump. What the hell is labor doing to fight back? (w/ David Huerta & Everett Kelley)

Every single one of us who considers ourselves part of the labor movement has some real deep, serious, and urgent soul searching to do this Labor Day. After already falling to historically low levels of union density, public and private-sector unions are facing an extinction-level event under the new Trump administration. That is not hyperbole; that is a fact. So the real question is: What the hell are workers, unions, and the labor movement doing to fight back? 

These are the essential questions at the center of both of the interviews we are sharing in this special Labor Day episode, which were recorded at the Netroots conference in New Orleans, LA, in early August. In the first interview, Max speaks with Everett Kelley, national President of the American Federation of Government Employees, about the Trump administration’s elimination of collective bargaining rights for federal unions. In the second interview, his first public interview since he was arrested by federal agents observing an ICE raid in Los Angeles in June, David Huerta, president of the Service Employees International Union – United Service Workers (West), speaks with Max about the status of his case and about the roles unions must play in the fight against fascism.

Speakers: 

• Everett Kelley is the national President of the American Federation of Government Employees, which is the largest union representing federal and DC government employees. He began his first term of service as national President in February 2020, was elected to another term during the 42nd National Convention in June 2022, and was reelected during the 43rd National Convention in August 2024. Kelley has been a member of AFGE since 1981. He worked at Anniston Army Depot and retired from there after 30 years of service.

• David Huerta is a longtime labor leader, born and raised in Los Angeles County, CA, who currently serves as president of the Service Employees International Union – United Service Workers (West) (SEIU-USWW).

Additional links/info: 

• American Federation of Government Employees website, Facebook page, and Instagram

• Hamilton Nolan, How Things Work, “Fragile movements crumble”

• Michael Sainato, The Guardian, “White House cancels union contracts for hundreds of thousands of federal workers”

• SEIU, “STATEMENT: SEIU President April Verrett on David Huerta’s release from federal custody”

• Luis Feliz Leon, In These Times, “Trump has put a target on SEIU, and the labor movement is fighting back”

• Maximillian Alvarez, The Real News Network, “EXCLUSIVE: Union leader beaten & arrested at ICE raid SPEAKS OUT” (Video version of interview with David Huerta)

• Maximillian Alvarez, The Real News Network, “Unions face extinction under Trump. Is labor fighting back?” (Video version of interview with Everett Kelley)

Featured Music: 

• Jules Taylor, “Working People” Theme Song