Unions, community members speak out against Trump administration at public hearing in Warner Robins
The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) hosted a public hearing where union members shared their testimonies on how they’ve been impacted by the Trump administration's job and funding cuts.
WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Elected officials, business owners and other community members concerned about the direction of the country joined forces in Warner Robins Wednesday night.
The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) hosted a public hearing where union members shared their testimonies on how they’ve been impacted by the Trump administration’s job and funding cuts.
One of the speaking panelists was Abby Tighe, who worked for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) division of overdose prevention. That was before the Department of Health and Human Services (DHS) announced plans to cut 2,400 jobs at the CDC in February.
“I had a promotion a month earlier,” Tighe said. “I have a performance review that’s almost perfect and was signed by all of my superiors.”
In her role, Tighe says she worked to prevent kids and teenagers from using drugs, alcohol and tobacco; work that is left to remaining staff who Tighe says are now undermanned.
“My team at CDC now is serving over 700 communities across the United States with only 10 people to do the work,” Tighe said.
The panelists and other speakers voiced their concerns about social security, Medicaid, VA health care and benefits, among other issues. These questions were asked to a cutout of Rep. Austin Scott (Ga-8), who many attacked for being in line with the Trump administration and not holding town halls.
“I’m tired of being here serving in a community where, when I look at other leaders who are elected to office, just don’t take people’s needs to heart,” said LaRhonda Patrick, Mayor of Warner Robins.
As for Tighe, she says ongoing court cases are questioning the legality of her firing and many people she worked alongside. But even more than the outcome of those legal matters, Tighe says she’s most concerned about the quality of air and water that will be available in the future as the CDC recently cut the staff that made up the division of Environmental Health Science and Practice.
“Things that we know how to do and know how to prevent, but we’re just not going to do anymore,” Tighe said. “It’s really stressful. I’m really scared for my own baby and for other people’s children.”
Tighe is now a member of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE). She encourages Middle Georgians to join unions and hold their local elected officials accountable.
“It’s not a political job that I do,” Tighe said. “It’s not a political job that anyone at the CDC does. We are here to serve the American people, and we should be supported by the executive branch and by the legislative branch to do that work.”
