AFSCME Resources

American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO
1625 L Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036-5687

Women’s Rights Department

 This department provides technical assistance and training on issues of particular concern to working women. The department also coordinates AFSCME’s efforts on work and family issues.
(202) 429-5090; FAX: (202) 429-5088
e-mail

Publications: 

• Eldercare: An AFSCME Guide for Families and Unions
  
  
• Choosing Quality Child Care: An AFSCME Guide
  
  
• Family and Medical Leave Act: Questions and Answers  

Legislation Department

 This department monitors federal, state and local legislative initiatives. It also lobbies for family initiatives in Congress, such as increased funding for federal child care programs, Social Security, health care reform and Medicare.
(202) 429-5020; FAX: (202) 223-3413

Publications:

• AFSCME Legislative Updates
  
  
• AFSCME Congressional Directory

Public Affairs Department

 This department provides assistance to promote work and family issues through articles in the Public Employee and Leader. It helps locals and councils write articles for their local newsletters and other publications. This department also produces videos.
(202) 429-1130; FAX: (202) 429-1120
e-mail

Department of Research and Collective Bargaining Services

 This department provides technical assistance to affiliates on organizing, representation, negotiations and third-party proceedings. It conducts analyses of employers’ fiscal condition and provides information and assistance on a variety of issues, such as employee benefits, alternative work schedules, Dependent Care Assistance Programs, the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act.
(202) 429-1215; FAX: (202) 223-3255
e-mail

Publications:

• Bargaining and the Family and Medical Leave Act
  
  
• Collective Bargaining Reporter Special Reprints: “Cafeteria Benefit Plans” and “The Pros and Cons of Flexible Spending Accounts.”
  
  
• Fighting for the Rights of Employees with Disabilities
  
  
• “Your Money or Your Health: Designing Benefit Options—Dependent Care Assistance Programs.”

Retiree Program

 The AFSCME Retiree Program serves the entire AFSCME membership as a clearinghouse for information on retirement and senior citizen issues and conducts retirement planning seminars for the union’s working members. The Retiree Program also is the nation’s largest organization of public employee retirees, with nearly 180,000 members in AFSCME retiree chapters throughout the country. Retiree members fight to protect and improve state and local government pensions and health care benefits, and for federal benefit programs, such as Social Security and Medicare.
(202) 429-1274 or 1259; FAX: (202) 429-1197

Publications:

• Getting Well With DRGs: Facts You Should Know About Medicare’s Prospective Payment System for Hospitals
  
  
• Medication Passport (A Record-Keeper for Prescription Drugs)
  
  
• Planning for Your Retirement (A General Guide)
  
  
• Planning for Your Survivors: A useful record-keeper that will help protect your loved ones after you’re gone.
  
  
• Your Doctor’s Bills: A Medicare Road Map (Your Rights Under Medicare).
  
  

Note: Some AFSCME councils and locals have their own experts in legislation and public affairs. Members should consult with their local leadership first before contacting International staff.