Gaining Power with AFSCME

Workers throughout the country, in large and small units, are finding strength through unionizing with AFSCME. Here are some of the victories since our last report:

California

A 2,300-member unit of home care workers in Butte County, Calif., voted by an overwhelming 95 percent margin in June to join the United Domestic Workers of America (UDWA)/National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees (NUHHCE). Within days, workers petitioned for an election in Orange County, where 6,500 will also consider joining the UDWA.

New York

In a run-off election against an independent association, 1,100 conservation officers, forest rangers, State University of New York police and other law enforcement workers chose to build a union with Council 82 in June.

Wisconsin

A National Labor Relations Board election in June proved that AFSCME Council 48 was the choice — by a large majority — for 125 bus drivers employed by Milwaukee's Durham School Services. Elected officials, community and religious leaders gave their support to the workers. Giving vital help through one-on-one visits with their DSS colleagues were a group of Laidlaw drivers from Glendale, Wis., who organized with the council last year. Elsewhere in Wisconsin, 116 part-time supervisors in the Green Bay School District voted to form a union with Council 40.

Indiana

Eighty-four white-collar workers of the Indianapolis Housing Authority recently joined blue-collar housing workers already represented by Council 62.

New Jersey

An 80-member association of blue- and white-collar workers of Montgomery Township voted to affiliate with Council 73.

Delaware

Fifty-six active-treatment facilitators and drivers, who provide recreational services for clients of Delaware's Division of Developmental Disabilities Services, voted to form a union with Council 81.