AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka sent a letter Wednesday to MSNBC hosts Rachel Maddow, Ed Schultz, Al Sharpton, Lawrence O’Donnell and Chris Hayes, calling on them to meet with workers trying to organize the cable news channel’s employees. The move puts the hosts — all avowed liberals who back organized labor — in a difficult position because their bosses at GE, which owns the channel, are opposing unionization.

The letter, signed by Trumka and two other top AFL-CIO officials, states: “Millions of viewers across the country look to your shows as a platform for progressive ideas and advancing workers’ rights. The workers at [NBC’s Peacock Productions] respect your work, as do we, and have seen the influence you have on many issues important to working people. We urge you to take the time to meet with these producers and associate producers to hear their concerns first-hand. We would be glad to join you. We know you will be moved, as we have been.”