Workers and Veterans rally in Sioux Falls to support AFGE

SIOUX FALLS, SD—The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) held a rally on April 25^th, 2025 at the Royal C. Johnson Veterans Memorial Hospital to speak out against the current assault on federal workers by the Trump administration. Many speakers including VA employees, AFGE staff, and other supporters noted that workers are already at capacity with handling cases at the VA and the answer is increasing funding and access to care, not firing tens of thousands of workers. Others, including members from local Teamsters and International Electrical of Brotherhood Workers unions, talked on the need for organization and unity among unions to protect labor rights.

Vice President of AFGE Local 1509 Ariel Ness talked on how devastating the current attack on the union has been, stating that union membership was cut in half in one night due to the VA violating the master contract and ending payroll deduction for dues. AFGE locals have had to scramble to enroll members in E-dues to maintain union membership, a blatant attempt to cut funding to unions representing federal workers.

Around 100 people attended the rally and showed their support for AFGE workers and veterans, many holding signs criticizing the Trump administration as well as local representative Dusty Johnson, Senator John Thune, and Senator Mike Rounds. Speakers and attendees alike remarked that like AFGE’s slogan of the rally, “not our first fight”, the attacks on federal workers will continue and this will be a long struggle that won’t be won overnight. Many left the event in high spirits, determined to continue supporting workers under attack by the current administration.