Union members commit to Workers First legislative agenda
LANSING, MI – Yesterday, the Michigan AFL-CIO hosted its 36th Legislative Convention to celebrate recent progress, organize for the fight ahead, and commit to a Workers First legislative agenda.
“In all my life, the work of the labor movement has never been done. This remains true amid the unprecedented attack on the working class,” said Ron BIEBER, president of the Michigan AFL-CIO. “Our 36th convention proved that Michigan’s labor movement is ready for the fight ahead. Together, we will fight in the halls of power and the streets to put workers first. Even in the face of existential threats, I have no doubt we will respond as we always have — with grit, strength, and solidarity.”
While claiming to support the working class, lawmakers in Washington D.C. are slashing jobs and attacking unions’ very right to exist. Now, lawmakers in Lansing are doing the same — and unions are fighting back.
“Michigan’s labor movement is facing unprecedented threats from politicians in Lansing and DC. The attack on our fundamental right to stand together in a union is just the tip of the iceberg,” said Gino CARBENIA, Executive Director of AFSCME Michigan 925. “At our convention we came together to discuss the battles ahead — whatever it takes, Michigan’s unions are fighting for the entire working class.”
The Michigan AFL-CIO emphasized its growing commitment to developing and executing a long-term, comprehensive legal strategy for affiliated unions in the face of ongoing threats—pointing to their legal battle over the nine bills unconstitutionally stalled under Speaker Matt Hall as a key example.
“A couple blocks away from our convention, the Speaker continues to hold stalled bills that would help workers retire with dignity and lower their healthcare costs,” said Elizabeth KELLY BYRD, Executive Director of SEIU Michigan. “It’s a shame that the courts are having to do the job of our duly elected legislative officials. Lansing lawmakers are ignoring the constitution while attacking workers to benefit the rich. Michigan’s labor movement won’t stand for it.”
“Workers are the backbone of our country — from auto workers to teachers, firefighters to farmers, postal workers to nurses,” said U.S. Senator Elissa SLOTKIN. “And unions like the AFL-CIO are how we protect those workers. Unions represent a revolutionary idea: that when we stand together, no one stands alone. In the Senate, I’m proud to stand with them and protect pensions, raise wages, and strengthen the right to organize.”
The 2025 Workers First Legislative Convention was proudly sponsored by the UAW, Michigan AFL-CIO Workforce Development Institute, the Michigan Laborers District Council, and the Michigan Building Trades Council.
The Michigan AFL-CIO, Michigan’s largest labor organization, is a federation representing forty different labor organizations, eighteen different central labor councils, and eight constituency groups representing over 1 million union members and their families.
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