LISTEN: In the wake of federal worker layoffs and cuts to social programs, Georgia unions are organizing to support affected workers and protect their rights — part of a nationwide movement. GPB's Amanda Andrews reports.

A woman in a navy shirt stands in front of the AFL-CIO "It's Better in a Union" tour bus on July 22, 2025.

AFGE Local 554 Vice President Adrienne Walker stands in front of the AFL-CIO custom tour bus.

Credit: Amanda Andrews / GPB News

Union members from across the Southeast gathered in Atlanta on Tuesday evening for a Workers Over Billionaires rally. Atlanta is the latest stop on the AFL-CIO’s “It’s Better in a Union” bus tour.

Speakers discussed federal funding cuts, ongoing lawsuits against the Trump administration, and the future of labor organizing. Chuck Stiles is with the Teamsters Local 728. He said the labor movement can save America.

“We got the power; let's take it," Stiles said. "Let's take this country back for working families. I've lived the American dream, back when labor was powerful. I'm 40 years a Teamster. It's going to be [young] people that save the labor movement and you save America."

Members of the American Federation of Government Employees have been helping Georgia’s federal workers navigate layoffs. Yolanda Jacobs is President of the AFGE Local 2883 and works at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. She said Georgia unions are fighting on every front because the impact of federal cuts doesn’t stop at layoffs.

“[The cutting] still works to destroy our lives by dismantling essentials such as public health programs, Medicaid funding, student loan programs — intentionally breaking things that didn't require fixing," she said.

Adrienne Walker is the vice president of AFGE Local 554. She’s been a Transportation Security Administration agent for 20 years. Walker said the Department of Homeland Security is rolling back things like the $900 uniform allowance for workers — which hits home for her.

“They gave us $282.22,” she said. “You know, I placed my order today. I bought two pairs of pants and a belt and had $2.06 change. What about the shirts? What about the shoes?”

Many federal workers lost union representation under a White House executive order in March. Now some lawmakers are backing union efforts with the “Protect America’s Workforce Act.” The bipartisan bill would overturn the March executive order.

Sandra Lee Williams is president of the North Georgia Labor Council. She said education is important to help workers understand how federal changes impact their personal finances.

“We know that more of the executive orders coming out of this administration are killing the working class people across our country,” she said. “It's taking away health care, he's destroying the Department of Education and we need a concerted effort to stop that.”

Georgia union leaders are organizing to support progressive politicians ahead of midterm elections in 2026.

Tags: labor organizing  labor union  Georgia  Atlanta  afl-cio