Union Veterans Council Leads Labor Movement in 

Friday Day of Action to Support PRO Act

Closing out a labor-wide week of action, AFL-CIO looks to veterans to tell the story of how union careers provided a pathway to the American Dream

Washington, D.C. – On Friday, April 28, the Union Veterans Council, AFL-CIO and its nationwide membership will take over the AFL-CIO’s PRO Act Week of Action to tell the story of what the PRO Act will mean to veteran workers.

Representing more than 1 million union veterans, Union Veterans Council local leaders from around the country will speak through videos, events, call-in campaigns, and paid advertisements about how a union career was their pathway to the American Dream and how more American workers should have the freedom to organize together.

“I know first-hand that the transition to civilian life is never easy. Unions provide good-paying careers and a sense of camaraderie that many veterans are missing from their time in the military,” said Union Veterans Council Executive Director Will Attig.

Nationally, the Union Veterans Council will hold The PRO Act: A Pathway to the American Dream Roundtable featuring union veteran leaders at 7 p.m. ET. The event, moderated by Union Veterans Council Executive Director Will Attig, features AFGE National President and U.S. Army veteran Everett Kelley, Alaska AFL-CIO President and U.S. Army veteran Joelle Hall, Allegheny/Fayette Central Labor Council President and U.S. Navy veteran Darrin Kelly, and Grovetown, GA City Council Member and U.S. Army veteran Ceretta Smith.

Union veterans will also take part in state and local events to support the PRO Act. 

The Arizona AFL-CIO, in partnership with the Union Veterans Council, will host a virtual press conference on Friday at 10 a.m. PT, featuring veterans across the region who will share their experiences showing why it’s so important to pass the PRO Act. 

The Alaska AFL-CIO will be releasing a video featuring union veterans speaking about the importance of the PRO Act.

“Union veterans in Arizona, Alaska, Virginia, and elsewhere are sending a clear message to their Senators that the PRO Act is pro-veteran legislation,” said Attig. “I hope that the Senators not yet co-sponsoring the PRO Act will be moved by these calls to do the right thing and support the PRO Act for all workers and all veterans.”

Veterans are also an important part of the AFL-CIO’s overall strategy for the week. Veteran and IBEW member Kyle Kaiser features in a new radio ad airing in Alaska this week, and video testimonials from veterans across the country will be posted on the Union Veterans Council Twitter and other prominent labor accounts this Friday. 

“There’s nothing more patriotic than organizing together for better working conditions,” said Attig. “I’m proud to see veterans across the country continue to serve by speaking out to tell their stories and fight for change by passing the PRO Act.” 

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The Union Veterans Council brings working class veterans together to speak out on the issues that impact us most, especially the need for good jobs and a strong, fully funded and staffed VA. Additionally, we hold private enterprise and elected officials accountable for their words and actions.  We believe wholeheartedly that the ability for someone to self-identify as “pro-veteran” isn’t determined by what lapel pin they don or what catchphrase they employ; veterans face real issues that require real actions—constructive actions that lead to positive solutions. Learn more at www.unionveterans.org