Don’t Let Trump’s Cuts Destroy the Government That Works For You
Feb 20, 2025
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Liz Shuler, President of the AFL-CIO and a champion for workers' rights, joins the discussion on the government’s troubling cuts targeting essential workers like mail carriers and food inspectors. She emphasizes how these layoffs could backfire, destabilizing crucial services. Stacey and Liz highlight the vital role of unions in protecting labor rights, especially in a shaky job market. They encourage activism and solidarity to defend workers, reminding us that collective power is essential in fighting against harmful policies.
The mass firing of probationary government employees poses a significant threat to essential public services and worker stability.
Unions play a crucial role in advocating for workers' rights, especially in a precarious labor market faced with systemic challenges.
Deep dives
The Innovation of OneSkin in Skincare
OneSkin's founding team has developed a groundbreaking approach to skincare that targets aging at the cellular level. Utilizing the OSO1 peptide, they claim to be the first to scientifically prove a reversal of skin aging by eliminating dysfunctional senescent cells. This innovation leads to significant improvements in the appearance of lines, wrinkles, and crepey skin. Their range of products, including facial moisturizers and sunscreens, aims to help users maintain youthful skin as part of their daily routine.
Child Marriage as a Global Crisis
The issue of child marriage is highlighted as a critical global crisis, with 12 million girls forced into marriage each year, often stifling their potential for future success. This practice not only robs girls of their childhoods but also infringes upon their rights to education and personal development. The partnership with Vow for Girls aims to create awareness and secure funding to empower young girls to write their own narratives instead of being subjected to predetermined futures. Such initiatives are pivotal in combating systemic gender inequalities and ensuring that girls have the opportunity to shape their lives.
The Q&A on Federal Workforce Cuts
There's a growing concern over the impact of recent cuts to the federal workforce, which could affect up to 200,000 employees, primarily targeting probationary workers. This situation is seen as part of a broader agenda to undermine government services that are essential for the public good, such as public health, education, and safety regulations. The podcast sheds light on how these layoffs and terminations fail to consider operational needs or the potential risks to citizens, creating an environment of instability and fear among dedicated public servants. Critics argue that this reckless approach is less about efficiency and more about dismantling crucial government functions.
The Urgent Call for Labor Advocacy
The discussion emphasizes the vital role of unions in advocating for workers' rights and pushing back against privatization agendas that threaten job security and fair treatment. With the rising cost of living and precarious working conditions, many Americans struggle to make ends meet, underscoring the need for collective action. The labor movement is urged to unite workers, ensuring that their voices are heard in both public and private sectors. Examples of historical labor achievements are presented to illustrate how organized efforts can lead to better working conditions, decent wages, and a more equitable economy.
Another week, another Trump admin scheme to cripple the government—this time by targeting the very workers who keep it running, from food inspectors to mail carriers to those serving in our military. On today’s episode, Stacey breaks down Trump’s mass firing of probationary government employees and how these layoffs could soon ripple across entire sectors. Liz Shuler, president of the AFL-CIO, joins to break down who’s being affected and why the blunt force tool Republicans are using in the name of efficiency, will backfire. Stacey and Liz talk about why unions matter more than ever in a shaky labor market and how we all need to stand up for workforce protections.
For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.
Learn & Do More:
If you have the time, read about labor history. One of Stacey’s favorites is: Beaten Down, Worked Up: The Past, Present, and Future of American Labor by Steven Greenhouse. You can also watch a classic film on labor like Norma Rae starring Sally Field.
The reason unions exist is to advocate for workers and give them collective power. So if you’re aware of mistreatment at a workplace or people being taken advantage of, maybe it’s time to become an organizer—or simply help someone advocate for themselves. There is power in speaking up and helping others find support. To learn how to better lift up your voice, check out Unite & Win: The Workplace Organizer’s Handbook or visit workerorganizing.org. It’s designed for labor organizing, but the tips can help anyone.
If you have been impacted by the workforce reduction, join the AFL-CIO’s new campaign for workers and share your story at deptofpeoplewhowork.org
A special call to action: Visit VowForGirls.org to raise awareness, fund change, and help girls take control of their futures. Ending forced child marriages is an important but overlooked cause – this is a fate that 12 million girls across the world face every year.
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