Nation’s largest public service unions launch national campaign to stop federal budget cuts to public services

WASHINGTON—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) are launching “Put Families First”—a new campaign aimed at fighting billionaires’ plans to gut public services and give massive tax breaks to the ultra-rich. With over 8.3 million members, including nurses, care providers, educators, school bus drivers, and sanitation workers, the unions’ campaign will center the stories of the workers who keep our communities running and know firsthand the devastating impact reckless cuts will have on working families.

Anti-union extremists are pushing a federal budget that would make devastating cuts to public services and vital programs like Medicaid—all to pay for billionaire tax cuts. On average, 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.

Public service workers across the country have spent the past four months sounding the alarm, talking to their co-workers, organizing town halls, and calling members of Congress to demand they put working families before billionaires. Now, they are turning up the heat, targeting 17 key congressional districts around the country with a $2 million media campaign and mobilization effort detailing the human impacts these cuts would have on our communities.

“Congress’ proposed budget plan will spell disaster for working families and hurt our economy," said AFSCME President Lee Saunders. “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.”

“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,” said AFT President Randi Weingarten. “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.”

“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,” said NEA President Becky Pringle. “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.”

“Medicaid is a lifeline for working people,” said April Verrett, president of SEIU. “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.”

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.

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AFSCME’s 1.4 million members provide the vital services that make America happen. With members in communities across the nation, serving in hundreds of different occupations—from nurses to corrections officers, childcare providers to sanitation workers—AFSCME advocates for fairness in the workplace, excellence in public services and freedom and opportunity for all working families.

The AFT represents 1.8 million pre-K through 12th-grade teachers; paraprofessionals and other school-related personnel; higher education faculty and professional staff; federal, state and local government employees; nurses and healthcare workers; and early childhood educators.

The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing more than 3 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators, students preparing to become teachers, healthcare workers, and public employees. Learn more at www.nea.org

The Service Workers International Union (SEIU) unites 2 million diverse members in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. SEIU members working in the healthcare industry, public sector and property services believe in the power of joining together on the job to win higher wages and benefits and to create better communities while fighting for a more just society and an economy that works for all of us, not just corporations and the wealthy. Learn more at www.seiu.org.