07/15/2026
Leadership Means Showing Up
Last week I had the honor of representing AFSCME Local 2620 at the State Capitol, where I testified alongside Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal in support of AB 2223, legislation to increase transparency and accountability in state contracting. After the hearing, I joined Anica Walls, President of SEIU Local 1000, and thousands of fellow state workers as they rallied against Governor Newsom's Return-to-Office mandate. We marched into the Capitol together, raised our voices together, and demonstrated what solidarity looks like in action. Seeing our allies standing shoulder to shoulder and later seeing that moment featured on the front page of the Sacramento Bee was a powerful reminder that when working people unite, our voices cannot be ignored.
Our vision for Local 2620 has always been bigger than our own organization. We are building a culture of unity, action, and leadership that extends across professions, departments, and unions because lasting change is never achieved alone. Coalitions are built by showing up for one another. Every rally attended, every legislative hearing where we testify, every meeting with elected officials, and every worker who stands beside us strengthens our influence and advances the interests of all public employees. But we need more people at the table. We need more members attending advocacy events, more members willing to stand with us, and more non-members choosing to become part of this movement. Every new member strengthens our voice, increases our credibility with decision makers, and gives us greater leverage at the bargaining table and in the halls of the Capitol. If you've been waiting for the right time to get involved, or if you know a coworker who hasn't yet joined, this is that moment. Leadership means showing up. Together, we can build a union that doesn't just respond to change, we lead it.
In Unity, Carl Miller JD, LCSW
President AFSCME Local 2620
