Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), former labor organizer, is bringing Linda Powell, Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) Executive Vice President, as his State of the Union guest. Powell was a key negotiator amid the union’s record-breaking strike last summer, and helped secure union-backed provisions that got the industry back to work. Last year was a historic year for unions with the most work stoppages of any year since 2000, and Gomez joined SAG-AFTRA and other unions on the picket lines in solidarity.

“Linda Powell played a pivotal role in negotiating a better contract for SAG-AFTRA members, and I invited her to this State of the Union to send a clear message: the state of our unions is strong,” said Gomez. “I was proud to picket alongside SAG-AFTRA last summer to fight for better working conditions for entertainment industry members, especially the over 33,000 SAG-AFTRA members in my district, and I’m proud to fight for unions every day. From hotel workers to auto workers to the entertainment industry, union members are speaking up for higher pay, better conditions and the basic workplace dignity they deserve.”

"I am honored to represent SAG-AFTRA’s 160,000 members at the State of the Union and thank Representative Gomez for his strong support, and for including labor in this important event. After a year that saw workers in many sectors standing together for respect and fair treatment, it is clear that the labor movement is strong and that our voices must be part of building a fairer and more productive future. We call on Congress and the administration to act on critical issues like AI protections, health care access, and fair wages that are so important to working people everywhere,” said Powell.

Gomez represents more than 33,000 SAG-AFTRA members living in his district, and has been a vocal advocate of workers’ rights since the start of his time in public service as a union organizer for AFSCME CA and for United Nurses Association of California. In Congress, Gomez is a champion for unions, cosponsoring multiple bills that strengthen collective bargaining rights, including legislation to allow workers to access unemployment benefits while on strike. 

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