For Immediate Release
Friday, June 28, 2002
AFSCME Honors Members Who Fight for Those with Disabilities
Awards presented at AFSCME's 35th International Convention in Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS, NV —The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), AFL-CIO, today honored union affiliates that have fought to make life easier and more equitable for persons with disabilities.
AFSCME, the nation's largest public service employees union, has long been committed to the rights of all workers — including those with disabilities. AFSCME has been a part of the National Organization on Disabilities for 15 years. This organization joins AFSCME at its International Convention to honor an AFSCME affiliate that has made a difference in helping members with disabilities.
"AFSCME's ongoing commitment to ensuring the rights of disabled workers is especially important now in light of recent Supreme Court decisions restricting the scope of the Americans With Disabilities ACT (ADA)," AFSCME President Gerald W. McEntee said. "This union will continue to fight for the integration of all workers into the American workplace."
AFSCME New York District Council 37 was honored for making traveling to work and around New York City more affordable for people who rely on paratransit by arranging pre-tax paratransit services for people with disabilities.
District Council 37 and its New York Local 2507, comprised of Emergency Medical Technicians, were also honored for their fight on behalf of disabled paramedics.
Each year, including non-Convention years, an AFSCME affiliate is honored for its work to help those with disabilities. Minnesota's Local 2822, Hennepin County Clerical and Related employees, received the 2001 award for encouraging its stewards and leaders to take workshops on the ADA and the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). In addition, the Minneapolis-area affiliate has added a new "FMLA Rights" column to its monthly newsletter.
