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

Jul 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.

Jul 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.

Jun 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.

Jun 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.

Jun 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.

Jun 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.

Jun 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.

Jun 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.

Jun 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.

Jun 17, 2020

Workers caravan brings together thousands to demand bold action from Congress

More than a thousand union members traveled to the nation’s capital to demand bold action resolve the crises facing our nation. Similar rallies were held nationwide.

Jun 16, 2020

Nevada AFSCME members speak out on budget changes

AFSCME Local 4041 members are speaking out against the governor’s plan to furlough Nevada state employees.

Jun 16, 2020

MN Behavioral Health Members Find Community Online, Build Union Strength

Rather than feeling isolated during the coronavirus pandemic., Minnesota’s behavioral health workers are strengthening their union bonds online.

Jun 12, 2020

Biden: ‘AFSCME workers are holding this country together right now’

During a tele-town hall, Vice President Joe Biden joined AFSCME President Lee Saunders and AFSCME members to discuss recovery amid the pandemic and ways to tackle longstanding institutional racism.

Jun 11, 2020

Continuing to protect Hawaii from invasive pests during the coronavirus pandemic

Hawaii’s plant quarantine inspectors safeguard the state’s unique ecology. Laying them off because of COVID-related funding shortages would harm the environment and the economy.

Jun 09, 2020

HOPE members avert layoffs, seek Houston leaders’ support for state, local aid request

HOPE Local 123 members have averted thousands of layoffs in Houston and got some support from the Houston City Council to get state, local aid from Congress.

Jun 08, 2020

Saunders joins AFSCME Maryland caravan to call on state leaders for justice, action

Honoring George Floyd and holding Gov. Larry Hogan accountable were the aims of a car caravan organized by AFSCME Maryland at the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore.

Jun 04, 2020

Urgent Investment in Public Health, Contact Tracers Workforce is Needed

AFSCME President Lee Saunders and two AFSCME contact tracer-members made the case for urgent investment in public health infrastructure.

Jun 01, 2020

Economists with Diverse Views Agree: Federal Aid to States, Cities, Towns Is Needed Now

Economists who would disagree on policies found common ground on one thing – Congress needs to provide state, local aid.

Jun 01, 2020

Saunders joins Families USA in calling for more federal aid, Medicaid funding

AFSCME President Lee Saunders joined health care advocates in urging Congress to provide more federal aid to states, cities and towns – including expanding Medicaid.

May 29, 2020

Kentuckians Call for Robust Federal Aid

Kentucky’s leaders and dedicated public service workers called for urgent, direct federal aid to save their state and their communities.

May 28, 2020

NV Senators, Front-Line Workers Call for State, Local Aid

Nevada’s U.S. senators and AFSCME Local 4041 members agree – it’s high time the Senate passes a federal aid package to states, cities and towns.

May 28, 2020

A fiscal tsunami is headed for states, cities, towns. Why is the Senate still not acting?

States, cities and towns need help fast but the U.S. Senate refuses to act. Why?

May 27, 2020

‘Every Day is Sign-a-Card Day:’ How One Local is Growing During COVID-19

Organizing workers is tough, and especially so during the COVID-19 pandemic. But one Washington state local isn’t letting the crisis stand in the way.

May 26, 2020

A Life of Service: One Man’s Mission to Put Others First

Oregon AFSCME member Michael Stewart volunteered to work in the COVID-19 unit at Oregon Health & Science University. Find out why he felt compelled to raise his hand.

May 22, 2020

‘Public service workers are … crucial to fighting this pandemic’

Meet a New York City respiratory therapist who was sickened by COVID-19.

May 22, 2020

‘It’s Like 9/11 Every Day’

A healthy New York City Fire Department EMS lieutenant for 25 years suddenly got sick with COVID-19. This is his story.

May 21, 2020

U.S. Business Leaders Call on Senate to Help States, Cities and Towns

Leaders of leading U.S. businesses joined labor and government officials in urging Congress to do more to help states, cities and towns amid the coronavirus pandemic.

May 21, 2020

All EMS Workers Should be Eligible for Federal Benefits Program

The Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program shouldn’t exclude EMS workers based on whom they work for.

May 20, 2020

To Avoid Economic Depression, Senate Must Pass Federal Support for Local Services

Conservative economists and liberal politicians alike agree that to avoid a protracted national economic catastrophe, the federal government must do more to help states, cities and towns.

May 19, 2020

Pandemic Sparks Awareness of the Importance of Mental Health

May is Mental Health Month and the COVID-19 crisis shows that people’s mental health is as important as their physical and economic health.

COVID-19 Archive

176 groups to the U.S. Senate: Pass state, local aid to ‘maintain essential services’

The Senate should not kick unemployed workers when they are down

Freedom Foundation, yet again, shows it values politics over lives.

AFSCME Local 4041 members file unfair labor practice complaint against State of Nevada

CT paraprofessionals vote to build power through AFSCME Council 4

KY poll shows overwhelming support for federal aid to states, cities, towns

AFSCME joins Poor People’s Campaign virtual event, a ‘call for moral revival’

Alaska public service workers call for federal aid to keep communities safe

Though shorthanded, AFSCME members smother wildfire, head off disaster

Workers caravan brings together thousands to demand bold action from Congress

Nevada AFSCME members speak out on budget changes

MN Behavioral Health Members Find Community Online, Build Union Strength

Biden: ‘AFSCME workers are holding this country together right now’

Continuing to protect Hawaii from invasive pests during the coronavirus pandemic

HOPE members avert layoffs, seek Houston leaders’ support for state, local aid request

Saunders joins AFSCME Maryland caravan to call on state leaders for justice, action

Urgent Investment in Public Health, Contact Tracers Workforce is Needed

Economists with Diverse Views Agree: Federal Aid to States, Cities, Towns Is Needed Now

Saunders joins Families USA in calling for more federal aid, Medicaid funding

Kentuckians Call for Robust Federal Aid

NV Senators, Front-Line Workers Call for State, Local Aid

A fiscal tsunami is headed for states, cities, towns. Why is the Senate still not acting?

‘Every Day is Sign-a-Card Day:’ How One Local is Growing During COVID-19

A Life of Service: One Man’s Mission to Put Others First

‘Public service workers are … crucial to fighting this pandemic’

‘It’s Like 9/11 Every Day’

U.S. Business Leaders Call on Senate to Help States, Cities and Towns

All EMS Workers Should be Eligible for Federal Benefits Program

To Avoid Economic Depression, Senate Must Pass Federal Support for Local Services

Pandemic Sparks Awareness of the Importance of Mental Health