You Can Help Fight for Dignity

AFSCME's done it before, whenever fundamental rights of American workers have been threatened.

This time the fight's over the new welfare law, and how it threatens to undermine not only the jobs of our members, but basic notions of economic fairness.

AFSCME is working hard through legislation, education, collective bargaining, litigation and organizing to make things better.

You can help, too:

• Understand what welfare reform really means in your state.
• Watch for privatization efforts and demand copies of proposals for privatizing.
• Talk with your family, friends and neighbors and tell them what is at stake in properly implementing welfare reform.
• Build coalitions with unions, child advocacy groups and others to help shape your state's new welfare plan.
• Plan to lobby and picket to dramatize the need for creating real jobs, not destroying old ones.
• Demand that your political leaders write laws ensuring that workfare employees receive workers' compensation, minimum wage, overtime pay, unemployment insurance; that they are covered by anti-discrimination laws and the Occupational Safety and Health Act; and that they enjoy the rights to organize and to be represented by a union.
• Organize! Welcome workfare workers who are placed into your job area and convince them to join your union.
• Contact your local, council and International to find out how you can best protect your rights.