"It's Good To Be Home!" President Biden Address to AFL-CIO Convention Recommits His Administration to Supporting Unions, Working Families, Good Jobs

On Tuesday, June 14, at the AFL-CIO Convention, President Joe Biden welcomed delegates and proudly reaffirmed his commitment to working families and building union power.

At the outset of his speech at the Philadelphia Convention Center, he made clear his affinity with union workers. "It's good to be home," the President said, which elicited one of many standing ovations from the audience.

Biden also paid tribute to the previous President of the AFL-CIO, Richard Trumka. "Rich Trumka paid me the highest compliment of my life," Biden said. "He said I was the most pro-union President in the history of our country." The President spoke of his friendship with Trumka and the years-long collaboration that they had in working to promote a pro-union, pro-working families agenda. He also congratulated AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler and Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond for their historic elections to the highest offices of the American Labor Movement..

Part of the vision that Biden and Trumka forged together was the PRO Act, which is now rightfully named after Brother Trumka. "I don't support the PRO Act because I'm pro-union," President Biden said. "I support it because I'm pro-American." President Biden noted that the PRO Act has been passed by the House and called on the Senate to follow their lead and bring this important legislation to his desk for his signature.

Biden also called out corporations and billionaires who do not pay their fair share of taxes. He stated that these tax scofflaws are not the ones who made America great. "Wall Street didn't build this country," Biden said. "The middle class built this country, and unions built the middle class!"

IFPTE delegates to the convention were energized and inspired by Biden's speech. "In Joe Biden, we have a President who isn't afraid to say the word UNION," said Joel Funfar, IFPTE SPEEA Area VP and an IFPTE delegate to the convention. "In fact, he's not just willing to say it, he is proud to shout it!"

Sherri Thomas, Local 195 chapter president at New Jersey City College who was also part of the International's delegation to the convention, spoke to what Biden's commitment to unions and working families has meant to her members. "For decades, countless presidents and members of Congress have attempted to pass an infrastructure bill," said Sister Thomas. "Joe Biden got it done, and our IFPTE members who work in every sector of the economy and in every state will reap the rewards of his leadership for decades to come."

Watch President Biden address the AFL-CIO Convention: