Members of AFSCME Local 195 (Council 82), which represents police officers from Auburn, New York, and members of CSEA Local 806 protested outside Auburn City Hall last week and later packed a city council meeting, a joint show of union solidarity against proposed layoffs to that city’s public services.
The city is facing a $5 million budget gap and is threatening to lay off dozens of city employees, including seven Auburn police officers. Union members and community supporters are fighting back against the proposed cuts and speaking out about the role these workers play in supporting the people of their city.
“There needs to be law and order,” Auburn Police Officer Michael Bufano, the president of Auburn Police Union Local 195, told WSYR-TV. “If there’s not any law and order, the city will not thrive.”
The Auburn police officers whose jobs are on the chopping block have helped bring violent crime down by 33% between 2020 and 2024, according to Local 195. These police officers, who live in the community they serve, attended the city council meeting where those potential layoffs were being debated. Each wore the names of fellow officers whose jobs were on the line.
Members of CSEA Local 806, who work in both white collar and blue collar positions in the city, are also organizing against management’s plan to gut public services. CSEA is an AFSCME affiliate.
“I’ve been with the city for 27 years, and throughout the years I’ve watched a lot of jobs come and go,” Chris Maywalt, a city employee and president of CSEA Local 806, also told WSYR-TV. “We’re basically at bare bones now.”
The city and the region can’t afford to see more critical public services be whittled away.
Despite the powerful show of union solidarity, even more union voices can make a difference. Sign these petitions to support city workers who maintain vital public services and the police officers who keep Auburn safe.