(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME) President Lee Saunders Issued the Following Statement Regarding the U.S. Department of Labor’s Release of its 2014 Union Membership Statistics:

At a Time When ‘Too Many’ Americans are Struggling Just to Make Ends Meet, the Labor Department’s Report Reminds Us We Need to Make it Easier for Working People to Join Together, Form a Union and Negotiate for Better Wages and Benefits.

In the Face of Unprecedented Challenges, AFSCME is Organizing Record Numbers of Public Service Workers.  In 2014, More Than 131,000 Public Workers Joined AFSCME to Have a Voice On the Job and Fight for the Vital Public Services Our Communities Rely On.

In the Coming Months, We Know the Anti-Union Politicians Elected Last November Will Continue Their Attacks On Working People.

They Want a Fast Food Economy in the Public Sector, But AFSCME is Ready to Fight Back.

We Believe Americans Who Work Hard and Play by the Rules Deserve to be Able to Pay Their Bills, Put Food On the Table, Send Their Children to College and Retire With Dignity.

AFSCME's 1.6 Million Members Across the United States Provide Vital Services That Make America Happen.  With Members in Hundreds of Different Occupations - From Nurses to Corrections Officers, Child Care Providers to Sanitation Workers - AFSCME Advocates for Fairness in the Workplace, Excellence in Public Services and Prosperity and Opportunity for All Working Families.

You Can Directly Access This Labor News Story at: http://www.afscme.org/news/press-room/press-releases/2015/afscme-defies-odds-in-organizing-unions-needed-now-more-than-ever