AFSCME Across America: Organizing for Power
From state to state, workers are organizing with AFSCME for a voice on the job. Here are some recent victories:
United in Victory | Pennsylvania child care providers (from left): Laura Baldwin, Jean Maines, Andrea Sheede and Carolyn Gillingham see a better future with Child Care Providers United
Photo Credit: Bonnie Caldwell
California
Seven hundred Los Angeles County doctors have joined the Union of American Physicians and Dentists (UAPD)/AFSCME Local 206.
Minnesota
Sixteen Lyon County highway maintenance employees have voted to organize with Council 65. Workers expressed concern about double-digit increases in health insurance premiums and wanted a greater voice on that and other issues.
New Hampshire
Nearly 160 employees of Maplewood Nursing Home, in Cheshire County, have voted overwhelmingly to join Council 93. Workers said they were motivated to join because of inadequate health care benefits, unfair terminations, favoritism and other poor management practices. The new local’s members include licensed nursing assistants, medical nursing assistants, ward, laundry and dietary aides, occupational and physical therapy assistants, central supply clerks, receptionists and others.
A 73-member unit of paraprofessionals employed by the Winnisquam Regional School District also voted to join Council 93.
New Mexico
Nearly 300 health care professionals, including nurses, technicians, clerical, service and maintenance workers employed by Alta Vista Regional Hospital in Las Vegas, have voted to join the National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees (NUHHCE)/AFSCME Local
1199 NM.
New York
The Saratoga County Deputy Sheriffs Police Benevolent Association, with 108 members, has voted to affiliate with New York State Law Enforcement Officers Union/AFSCME Council 82, citing the council’s experience and resources to assist with contract negotiations, political action and legislation. Council 82 already represents police officers, county deputy sheriffs, county corrections officers and law enforcement officers throughout the state.
Ohio
A 33-member unit of health care professionals at the Center for Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services, serving the combined Public Health District of Dayton and Montgomery County, voted for representation with Council 8.
Pennsylvania
Over 3,700 home-based child care providers from across Pennsylvania voted overwhelmingly to form a union with Child Care Providers United (CCP United). This follows an Executive Order signed last July by Gov. Ed Rendell (D) that provides collective bargaining rights for state-regulated family and child care providers. CCP United is jointly affiliated with AFSCME and SEIU.
Also, a unit of 194 personal care and teacher assistants employed by the Altoona Area School District, northeast of Harrisburg, voted to join Council 13.
Vermont
Ten public works employees of the City of Norwich voted to join Council 93.
Wisconsin
Seventy-four maintenance and custodial workers in the New Berlin School District, near Milwaukee, voted to form a union with Council 40.
