COVID-19 | Page 1 | American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)

June 16, 2022

AFSCME’s advocacy ensures Minnesota Frontline Pay program off to a great start

AFSCME members in Minnesota pushed hard for the Frontline Worker Pay program – and it’s off to a tremendous start already.

May 12, 2022

American Red Cross workers, including AFSCME members, rally for fair contract

American Red Cross workers, including many AFSCME members, are rallying for a fair contract in cities across the country this week.

April 25, 2022

Overlooked by management during the pandemic, Red Cross workers fight for a fair contract

Red Cross workers deserve a fair contract that recognizes their contributions throughout the pandemic.

March 30, 2022

AFSCME Florida Local 1363 health care workers win pay increases

Learn how the health care heroes of Florida’s AFSCME Local 1363 used their collective bargaining agreement to win better pay and better working conditions.

March 11, 2022

The American Rescue Plan saved the public sector – but now is not the time for ‘austerity’

Read President Lee Saunders’ column marking the one-year anniversary of the American Rescue Plan.

February 24, 2022

AFSCME members are fighting to preserve COVID safety standards

Undeterred by a setback, AFSCME members are continuing their fight to preserve COVID safety standards in Virginia.

February 16, 2022

Child care providers were there for us. Congress must act to support them

A California child care provider explains why the U.S. Senate should pass legislation that includes funding for child care and pre-K.

February 03, 2022

COVID-19 bonuses secured for thousands of commonwealth workers in Massachusetts

More than 6,500 AFSCME Council 93 members received the hazard pay for working during the COVID-19 pandemic.

January 05, 2022

AFSCME joins labor push for permanent health standard to protect against COVID-19

AFSCME and a group of unions are pushing the Biden administration to adopt permanent protections for health care workers battling the COVID-19 pandemic.

November 15, 2021

Standing strong nets Local 613 members pay increases of 23% to 40%

Refusing to take no for an answer, AFSCME Local 613 in Indiana secured long-overdue by standing their ground during contract negotiations.

November 05, 2021

32,000 health care workers notify Kaiser Permanente they will go on strike beginning Nov. 15

A strike by 32,000 workers of Kaiser Permanente out West is scheduled for Nov. 15 – unless the company alters its wage and other proposals to the workers’ satisfaction.

October 20, 2021

Milwaukee Public Schools secretaries win hazard pay as organizing effort continues

Strong and united, school personnel in Milwaukee fought to win hazard pay.

October 06, 2021

New contract recognizes the work of South Florida members throughout the pandemic

Health care workers in a South Florida local are happy with their new contract – and are signing up new members building off their success.

October 04, 2021

Report: Cultural institutions took federal money but still let go of workers

A new report released by AFSCME shows cultural institutions accepted taxpayer help to make it through the coronavirus pandemic but kept laying off workers.

October 01, 2021

AFSCME members honored during Community Change event

Two AFSCME members were honored for their role as essential workers during the pandemic by Community Change, a national organization.

September 10, 2021

To Build Back Better, we must invest in our children, our families, our caregivers

President Joe Biden’s Build Back Better agenda would make big investments in early childhood education, offering children, families and caregivers much-needed support.

September 02, 2021

SERV workers authorize Labor Day strike

Some behavioral health workers at SERV Centers of New Jersey in Mercer County are going on a strike for 24 hours on Labor Day.

September 02, 2021

AFSCME child care provider to Congress: Invest more in early childhood education

An AFSCME child care provider from New York state is urging Congress to provide additional support in early childhood education.

August 31, 2021

Correctional officers in Puerto Rico hold a rally to demand wage fairness

Correctional officers in Puerto Rico held a rally last week to demand wage fairness and better working conditions.

August 10, 2021

Child care workers’ crucial role spotlighted in roundtable talk

A roundtable featuring President Saunders and two AFSCME members highlighted the importance of child care workers.

August 06, 2021

Retroactive COVID-19 response pay granted to thousands of workers in Maryland

Not all front-line state workers in Maryland are getting compensated for their heroic work throughout the pandemic. Council 3 is changing that.

July 30, 2021

University of Maryland workers rally to expand and protect access to telework

University of Maryland workers are pushing to telework for the rest of the summer, but they’re being asked to return to the office starting Monday despite rising COVID cases.

July 13, 2021

Expanded child tax credit will help women’s economic recovery. Find out if you qualify.

Find out if you qualify for the expanded child tax credit by accessing the AFSCME calculator.

July 06, 2021

Go ahead. Don’t be shy. Hire a public service worker.

Do you know what will juice the already robust economic recovery even more? Increased hiring of public service workers at the state and local levels.

June 28, 2021

Michigan nurse Maggie Schaefer put off retirement to fight COVID

Learn how Michigan nurse and Never Quit Winner Maggie Schaefer fought through the pandemic.

June 22, 2021

AFSCME child care provider joins calls to protect American Rescue Plan funds

Miren Algorri, an AFSCME child care provider from California, joined a chorus of voices pushing back against attempts to raid the American Rescue Plan.

June 15, 2021

AFSCME members lead the way in getting vaccinated

AFSCME members are leading the way in getting vaccinated but more can be done to stop COVID’s spread.

May 26, 2021

After braving the pandemic, Miami-Dade school employees brace for the fall

Miami-Dade schools Local 1184 President Phyllis Leflore reflects on the pandemic and plans for the future.

May 11, 2021

S-T McBride talks to nurses about the pandemic, unions

Watch the video of the conversation between AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer Elissa McBride and four AFSCME nurses.

May 05, 2021

‘When we talk about money being released to schools, how do we ensure that truly helps students?’

American Rescue Plan funding should benefit students and paraprofessionals in District of Columbia Public Schools, member says.

COVID-19 Archive

AFSCME’s advocacy ensures Minnesota Frontline Pay program off to a great start

American Red Cross workers, including AFSCME members, rally for fair contract

Overlooked by management during the pandemic, Red Cross workers fight for a fair contract

AFSCME Florida Local 1363 health care workers win pay increases

The American Rescue Plan saved the public sector – but now is not the time for ‘austerity’

AFSCME members are fighting to preserve COVID safety standards

Child care providers were there for us. Congress must act to support them

COVID-19 bonuses secured for thousands of commonwealth workers in Massachusetts

AFSCME joins labor push for permanent health standard to protect against COVID-19

Standing strong nets Local 613 members pay increases of 23% to 40%

32,000 health care workers notify Kaiser Permanente they will go on strike beginning Nov. 15

Milwaukee Public Schools secretaries win hazard pay as organizing effort continues

New contract recognizes the work of South Florida members throughout the pandemic

Report: Cultural institutions took federal money but still let go of workers

AFSCME members honored during Community Change event

To Build Back Better, we must invest in our children, our families, our caregivers

SERV workers authorize Labor Day strike

AFSCME child care provider to Congress: Invest more in early childhood education

Correctional officers in Puerto Rico hold a rally to demand wage fairness

Child care workers’ crucial role spotlighted in roundtable talk

Retroactive COVID-19 response pay granted to thousands of workers in Maryland

University of Maryland workers rally to expand and protect access to telework

Expanded child tax credit will help women’s economic recovery. Find out if you qualify.

Go ahead. Don’t be shy. Hire a public service worker.

Michigan nurse Maggie Schaefer put off retirement to fight COVID

AFSCME child care provider joins calls to protect American Rescue Plan funds

AFSCME members lead the way in getting vaccinated

After braving the pandemic, Miami-Dade school employees brace for the fall

S-T McBride talks to nurses about the pandemic, unions

‘When we talk about money being released to schools, how do we ensure that truly helps students?’