In September, public service workers from AFSCME Local 4041, SEIU Local 1107, the Nevada State AFL-CIO and union members from across Nevada held a shred day to speak out against Donald Trump’s Project 2025, his plan to weaken public services and take freedoms away from working people should he win a second term as president.
In front of a shredding truck, the speakers – union members from across Nevada – detailed how Trump’s plans would crush unions, eliminate overtime protections, repeal the $35 cap on insulin for seniors, end negotiations for lower prescription drug prices, and more.
Trump Pretends to Know Nothing about Project 2025, but:
The Washington Post reports that Trump took a private flight with Project 2025 leader Kevin Roberts to a Heritage Foundation Conference in 2022, where Trump said in a speech that they “will lay the groundwork and detail plans for exactly what our movement will do.”
CNN reports that at least 140 former Trump administration officials were involved in the creation of Project 2025, including six former cabinet secretaries.
Trump’s running mate, J.D. Vance, wrote the forward for Project 2025 leader Kevin Roberts’ book, Dawn’s Early Light.
Rosina Barrientos, a developmental specialist III for the State of Nevada and member of AFSCME Local 4041, took Trump to task for attacking union members’ collective bargaining rights. “After winning collective bargaining rights in 2019, and winning our first collective bargaining agreement in 2021, Nevada state employees have seen great improvements to our lives,” she said. “Having a union means more rights and respect in the workplace. We finally have a voice on the job and we’re not going back!”
Debbie Springer, the public sector executive vice president of SEIU Local 1107, echoed the stakes Nevada union members are facing this election cycle. “Project 2025 wants to ban public sector unions because workers have a voice through their union,” she said. “Our contracts are the most powerful tool in the toolbox. Wages, benefits, workplace protections against discrimination are all at risk.”
Susie Martinez, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Nevada State AFL-CIO, said, “We built this state! From Reno to Las Vegas, Nevada thrives on union labor. Now, these MAGA extremists want to gut it all. They’re ready to slash the programs that keep our families afloat – your benefits, healthcare, your freedoms – all gone with the stroke of a pen.”
Carol Matrone, a former child care and senior advocate for the State of Nevada and AFSCME Nevada Retiree Chapter 4041 member, said Project 2025 would make it extremely difficult for retirees to afford health care. “Like many of you, I believed that if you work hard, play by the rules, and look out for your community, you’d earn a little dignity when it’s time to retire,” she said. “Project 2025 would eliminate traditional Medicare, stop the federal government from negotiating drug prices, and would no longer penalize Big Pharma for raising drug prices more than the rate of inflation.”
The event featured a full-size shredding truck to symbolize the threat to fundamental freedoms – such as the freedom to join a union, access affordable health care, and retire with dignity – that we all stand to lose. Following the event, union members canvassed their communities to get out the vote to stop Donald Trump’s Project 2025.
