Press Releases
DPE has media staff in Washington, D.C. to handle inquiries from journalists on issues related to professionals in unions. To schedule an interview with a member of the DPE staff email comms@dpeaflcio.org.
DPE Honors Public Servants' Dedication During Public Service Recognition Week, Urges Congress to Pass Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Katie Barrows
Communications Director
P: 202-549-5991
kbarrows@dpeaflcio.org
WASHINGTON, May 4, 2026—Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO (DPE) President Jennifer Dorning issued the following statement in celebration of Public Service Recognition Week.
"Public servants are the backbone of American life. They inspect our food, staff our VA hospitals, and maintain the infrastructure that keeps communities running. During Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW), we thank public sector employees at all levels of government for their vital contributions across the country.
Representing over four million professional and technical union members, DPE knows firsthand what public servants give — and what they're up against. Federal workers are enduring mass layoffs, reductions in force, and sustained attacks on civil service protections, while state and local workers are grappling with budget constraints and growing uncertainty. Yet through it all, public servants continue to show up and carry out their work with integrity, honesty, and a deep commitment to service.
That dedication deserves more than recognition — it demands action. Through the Coalition for Professional Integrity, we've urged Congress to advance policies that strengthen union rights, civil service protections, and whistleblower safeguards for federal workers.
We also call for the passage of the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act, which would extend collective bargaining rights to all public sector employees and give them a real voice in their workplaces. Public servants cannot do their jobs effectively without adequate resources, protections, and staffing — and Congress has the power to act.
We're grateful for public servants and stand with them — not just this week, but until the protections they've earned are secured."
About DPE
The Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO (DPE) is a coalition of 24 unions representing over four million professional and technical union members. DPE affiliate unions represent professionals in over 300 occupations in education and healthcare; science, engineering, and technology; legal, business, and management; media, entertainment, and the arts; and public administration.
DPE Welcomes USTR’s Annual Special 301 Report on Global IP Protection and Enforcement
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Katie Barrows
Communications Director
P: 202-549-5991
kbarrows@dpeaflcio.org
WASHINGTON, May 1, 2026 - This week, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) released its annual Special 301 Report, assessing intellectual property protection and enforcement among U.S. trading partners.
Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO (DPE) President Jennifer Dorning released the following statement on this year’s Special 301 Report:
“The 2026 Special 301 Report makes clear what union creative professionals have long known: strong global IP protection is not a trade abstraction, it is the foundation of their livelihoods. I commend Ambassador Greer, USTR staff, and their interagency partners for a report that takes that reality seriously.
Members of the Arts, Entertainment, and Media Industries (AEMI) unions within DPE depend on robust IP enforcement to secure fair wages, health and pension benefits, and future work opportunities through legitimate sales and licensing. When those protections fail abroad, real working people pay the price.
I welcome the report’s recognition that stakeholders have raised serious concerns about the use of copyrighted works to train AI systems and that the U.S. government supports legal frameworks to ensure copyrights are respected in AI development. Generative AI has only intensified the urgency of effective global IP enforcement. Tech companies must not be permitted to exploit the work of union creative professionals without consent, compensation, and credit.”
About DPE
The Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO (DPE) is a coalition of 24 unions representing over four million professional and technical union members. DPE affiliate unions represent professionals in over 300 occupations in education and healthcare; science, engineering, and technology; legal, business, and management; media, entertainment, and the arts; and public administration.