CASPER, Wyo. — The Wyoming branch of a national trade union and workers advocacy group is planning to gather at the Wyoming State Capitol in Cheyenne on Friday in a show of solidarity for federal workers who have either been laid off or remain ill-at-ease due to President Donald Trump’s stated intentions to radically downsize the federal workforce.
A release from the Wyoming State AFL-CIO — American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations — says Wyoming workers from across the state will gather on the sidewalk in front of the Capitol building from 4 to 5 p.m. this Friday, Feb. 28.
“This nonpartisan, grassroots event will unite miners, teachers, truckers, federal and state employees, and workers from every profession across our state,” the release said. “Wyoming’s federal workforce supports our farmers and ranchers, operates our national parks, and provides essential services with remarkable efficiency — all while being directly accountable to the American public.”
The Wyoming AFL-CIO say there are about 8,100 federal workers in the state who process grazing permits, timber sales and mineral leases; administer senior housing, Social Security benefits and Medicare coverage; and manage national forests and wildfire response.
“This isn’t about politics — it’s about people,” the organization’s newly appointed director, Marcie Kindred, said in the release. “The solidarity we’re seeing across all professions and industries goes beyond political parties. This is Wyoming at its best — united in our shared values and the knowledge that we are stronger together.”