Voting Rights Are Workers' Rights

In this episode, Leslie speaks with AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond about a Supreme Court ruling the labor movement is calling a dangerous setback for voting rights and working people.

Fred explains why the AFL-CIO sees the decision as part of a broader effort to weaken the political power of working Americans—especially Black, Latino, and Native communities—and how attacks on voting rights are deeply connected to issues like wages, workplace protections, union strength, and economic fairness.

The conversation also explores the historic connection between the labor movement and the civil rights movement, why many Americans feel democracy is becoming less responsive to ordinary people, and what organized labor plans to do next in response.

It’s a powerful discussion about democracy, representation, and why the fight for voting rights remains central to the fight for workers’ rights.

The website for the AFL-CIO is AFLCIO.org and their handle on Blue Sky is @AFLCIO. Their handle on Facebook, Instagram and X is @AFLCIO. Fred's handle on X is @STRedmond.