Kentucky - State Workers Gain Bargaining Rights

Frankfort, Kentucky

The right to have a union and bargain for wages and benefits has been restored to thousands of state employees, thanks to an Executive Order signed this summer by Gov. Steve Beshear (D), whom AFSCME worked hard to elect.

The measure gives 12,000 workers a voice at work with AFSCME.

The right to union representation was first won by workers in 2002 when then-Gov. Paul Patton (D) issued an Executive Order. Two years later, Gov. Ernie Fletcher (R) revoked the statute in his first administrative act upon taking office.

The new decree gives workplace power to employees in a wide variety of state offices — including those in administration, employment and social services, health services, corrections, parole and law enforcement. “With a united voice, we can make sure that corrections officers and state employees aren’t last on the state’s priority list,” explains Derrick Lloyd, a CO at the Kentucky State Penitentiary in Eddyville.