July 24, 2020 The power of a union: Nevada state worker mobilization makes the difference AFSCME members in Nevada mobilized against Gov. Steve Sisolak proposed furloughs, merit pay freezes and layoffs – and won. That’s the power of a union. Read More
July 24, 2020 Arizona poll shows overwhelming support for federal aid to states, cities, towns, schools A new poll of Arizona voters shows overwhelming, bipartisan support – 75% – for federal aid to struggling states, cities, towns and school districts. Read More
July 23, 2020 Retirees urged to call the Senate demanding federal aid to states, localities A former Ohio governor and AFSCME President Lee Saunders asked AFSCME Retirees to call the Senate and demand aid for states and localities. Read More
July 22, 2020 AFSCME joins Pennsylvania Sen. Casey in calling for federal aid to states, cities and towns AFSCME joined Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey today to push Senate Republicans to approve at least $1 trillion in federal aid to states, cities and towns. Read More
July 22, 2020 AFSCME Council 36 reaches settlement with owners of shuttered art foundation Under a settlement procured by AFSCME District Council 36, 70 former visitor service associates at the now-closed Marciano Art Foundation will be paid 10 weeks of severance. Read More
July 21, 2020 From dial-up to digital, CSEA’s Joe Acampora led the way This Never Quit Service Award winner helped lead a New York community from digital dark ages to the high-tech world of today. Read More
July 20, 2020 ‘Though small in stature, he was a giant among men’ We remember civil rights icon U.S. Rep. John Lewis of Georgia, a friend of labor throughout his illustrious life and career. Read More
July 17, 2020 Schumer joins AFSCME in calling for at least $1 trillion in federal aid to states, cities and towns Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer joined AFSCME President Lee Saunders and AFSCME members in calling on Republicans in the Senate to agree to at least $1 trillion in federal aid to states, cities and towns. Read More
July 17, 2020 Bold Federal Aid Needed Now, Says Former Fed Chair Bernanke Former Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke says that bold federal aid is urgently needed to save the economy and fight the pandemic. Read More
July 14, 2020 Will Washington invest in billionaires or the rest of us? The president of an AFSCME affiliate explains why cutting public services and the workers that provide them in a bad idea, especially during a pandemic. Read More
July 14, 2020 Vast majority of Republicans in swing states support the virus aid McConnell is blocking Even Republicans agree that the Senate should help struggling states and localities. Why doesn’t Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell? Read More
July 10, 2020 AFSCME Maryland prevails in fight against governor’s public service cuts Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan proposed cutting public service jobs and pay using the pandemic as a pretext. But AFSCME members were having none of it. Read More
July 09, 2020 Pelosi joins AFSCME in calling for state, local aid amid soaring virus cases House Speaker Nancy Pelosi joined AFSCME President Lee Saunders and front-line public service workers in calling on the Senate to approve at least $1 trillion in flexible aid to states, cities and towns. Read More
July 08, 2020 AFSCME members pressure Senate to act on aid to states, cities and towns During an AFSCME tele-town hall, President Lee Saunders and AFSCME members called on their union family to pressure their U.S. senators to approve aid to states, cities and towns. Read More
July 07, 2020 State workers in Florida get first raise in 12 years The public service workers who are keeping Florida running during this global pandemic finally got a 3% raise – their first in a dozen years. Read More
July 06, 2020 Workers filed more than 4,100 complaints about protective gear. Some still died. OSHA is supposed to protect workers. But an investigation finds federal and state OSHA officials closed many complaints without taking action – despite a number of worker deaths. Read More
July 02, 2020 Virginia Del. Elizabeth Guzman: ‘We are in need of progressive voices in the state Senate’ An AFSCME member became the first Hispanic female immigrant ever to be elected to the Virginia House of Delegates. Now Del. Elizabeth Guzman is exploring a run for lieutenant governor. Read More
July 01, 2020 176 groups to the U.S. Senate: Pass state, local aid to ‘maintain essential services’ It’s not just AFSCME saying it. A coalition of 176 groups – including our union – has written to the Senate, urgently seeking state and local aid. Read More
July 01, 2020 The Senate should not kick unemployed workers when they are down Unless the U.S. Senate extends a $600 weekly unemployment supplement, workers who lost their jobs in the COVID-19 pandemic will see a sharp drop in benefits come Aug. 1. Read More
June 30, 2020 Freedom Foundation, yet again, shows it values politics over lives. The right-wing Freedom Foundation is again up to its old tricks – playing politics with working people. Read More
June 29, 2020 AFSCME Local 4041 members file unfair labor practice complaint against State of Nevada Nevada’s governor is unilaterally trying to lay off state workers and AFSCME Local 4041 members are having none of it. Read More
June 26, 2020 Yes. Seriously. Trump wants to kill the Affordable Care Act – in the midst of a pandemic In the midst of one of the worst health care crises in this country, President Trump wants to kill the Affordable Care Act. Read More
June 26, 2020 CT paraprofessionals vote to build power through AFSCME Council 4 COVID-19 shutdown? No problem. In Connecticut, 130 paraprofessionals found a way to form a union despite school closures. Read More
June 25, 2020 Senate, states should keep elections safe, safeguard against voter discrimination The Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act seven years ago. But states and the Senate can still act to ensure fair elections. Read More
June 25, 2020 Fight to #SavethePostOffice The coronavirus pandemic has devastated the U.S. Postal Service. Join the fight to #SavethePostOffice. Read More
June 24, 2020 ‘The anger is blinding’ DC 37 member and New York paramedic discusses fighting the coronavirus pandemic in a powerful first-person account published by the Washington Post. Read More
June 24, 2020 KY poll shows overwhelming support for federal aid to states, cities, towns A new AFSCME poll shows Kentucky voters overwhelmingly want Congress to provide aid to Kentucky’s state and local governments and maintain public services. Read More
June 23, 2020 AFSCME joins Poor People’s Campaign virtual event, a ‘call for moral revival’ AFSCME participated in the Poor People's Campaign, a movement that picks up on the unfinished work of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and aims to shift the moral narrative of our country. Read More
June 23, 2020 Alaska public service workers call for federal aid to keep communities safe The U.S. Senate is getting an urgent, bipartisan request from state workers and lawmakers in Alaska – please provide state and local aid like the House has. Read More
June 22, 2020 Though shorthanded, AFSCME members smother wildfire, head off disaster A forest fire got contained quickly thanks to the dedication of AFSCME Michigan members, but short-staffing may lead to tragic results the next time. Read More