Connecticut — AFSCME Public Employees Hit the Airwaves

There seems to be no shortage of hired guns willing to criticize public workers and public services. Recently, Council 4 took to the television airwaves and fought back with their “Proud to Serve You” ad campaign.

New Britain, Connecticut

TV STAR | Hartford Police Department public safety dispatcher Shyrlene Chapman is filmed for a Council 4 public service commercial.

Photo Credit: Tito Davila/Chartwell Communications

There seems to be no shortage of hired guns willing to criticize public workers and public services. Recently, Council 4 took to the television airwaves and fought back with their “Proud to Serve You” ad campaign.

The spots ran in February and March throughout most of the state. They were made in response to Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell’s veto of a bill intended to combat corrupt privatization by establishing rigorous standards for state agencies that want to dole out contracts. The commercials presented the flip side of privatization: hard-working public employees who are accountable for their job performance every day.

“This commercial highlights the positive contribution public service workers make in a variety of crucial jobs,” says Council 4 Exec. Dir. Sal Luciano, who is also an International vice president. “Proponents of privatization may paint a negative picture of public service workers, but the fact is that our members are hard working, dedicated and efficient.”

The effort follows the council’s 2005 multi-media campaign called “Privatization Equals Corruption,” which fought the outsourcing of public services and Social Security.