AFL-CIO President John Sweeney responded to Hansen with his own letter. In it he thanked Hansen for all of the UFCWs past, current and future battles and expressed that he welcomed the ongoing labor debate. However, he added that unions threatening to leave the federation undermines any ability to reach a genuine agreement built on consensus and respect.

Meanwhile, the leadership of the Service Employees International Union was given the power to break-off from the federation this weekend. Seventy percent of SEIU membership adopted resolutions this weekend that would allow the organizations executive committee to "disaffiliate" with the federation when and if they deem the time is right. In their statement the board said the decision was made because the AFL-CIO strategy divides the strength of workers . It also reads that the goal of labor should be uniting the 9 out of 10 workers that have no union. Repeated calls to the AFL-CIOs communications department this weekend were not returned.