From the President | Page 1 | American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)

Feb 14, 2020

Building Political Power BLOC By BLOC

Groups like BLOC, Black Leaders Organizing for Communities, are mobilizing residents around issues that matter to them and giving them the tools to hold elected officials accountable.

Oct 31, 2019

On the Record: Child Care for All

Thanks to a new state law, California child care providers have collective bargaining rights – the freedom to negotiate for better compensation and benefits, the ability to stand together in a strong union.

Jun 27, 2019

AFSCME is on a Roll

AFSCME is notching victories coast to coast and is energized by pro-worker momentum from state houses to Congress. A year after the Janus v. AFSCME ruling, the wind is at our backs.

Jun 14, 2019

'A Bold and Historic Step'

Watch as AFSCME President Lee Saunders explains why giving Nevada state workers collective bargaining rights is a “bold and historic step.

May 20, 2019

Remembering AFSCME President Jerry Wurf on his 100th Birthday

On what would be the 100th birthday of its former president, Jerry Wurf, AFSCME remembers a hero.

May 09, 2019

Honoring the Everyday Heroes of Public Service

During Public Service Recognition Week, we all should take a moment to extend our thanks to those who have made a career out of helping and empowering their neighbors.

May 09, 2019

An Inspiration to All: Jackie Saunders

AFSCME President Lee Saunders sat down with his mother to talk with her about her life as an organizer, activist and educator.

Apr 04, 2019

We Carry on Dr. King’s Fight

We honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by carrying on his fight, 51 years after he paid the ultimate price.

Mar 13, 2019

On the Record: Resilience

Watch AFSCME President Lee Saunders explain how our union is resisting, persisting and continuing to build worker power.

Feb 28, 2019

Strong Unions Mean Strong African-American Communities

AFSCME President Lee Saunders explains how labor unions were instrumental in improving the lives of African-Americans.

Feb 11, 2019

Union Leaders Discuss the Future of American Labor

AFSCME President Lee Saunders and leaders of other public sector unions stressed that organizing and cross-union collaboration are vital for the future of the labor movement in the post-Janus era.

Feb 06, 2019

SOTU Response: Invest in Our Communities and Public Services to Strengthen the Nation

Read AFSCME President Lee Saunders’ response to the State of the Union address.

Jan 29, 2019

Unions Aren’t Going Anywhere

It turns out our opponents wildly underestimated the loyalty and resolve of AFSCME members, their desire to stick with their union.

Jan 24, 2019

President Saunders: Labor’s Future is Bright.

AFSCME President Lee Saunders discusses the future of the labor movement and more in this podcast.

Jan 02, 2019

AFSCME President Saunders Demands End to Government Shutdown

Many federal workers are facing the frightening prospect of not being able to pay their mortgages, rents, car loans and meet countless other day-to-day obligations.

Dec 19, 2018

Saunders to Trump: Don’t Shut Down the Government For Political Gain

AFSCME President Lee Saunders to President Donald Trump – don’t shut down the federal government over politics.

Nov 14, 2018

Don’t Fall for the Freedom Foundation’s Lies

The Freedom Foundation and other anti-worker groups funded by corporate billionaires are lying to working people to get them to drop their unions. Don't believe their lies.

Nov 07, 2018

AFSCME Pres. Lee Saunders Hails Pro-Worker Victories in Midterms

AFSCME President Lee Saunders praised union members for defying wealthy special interests and electing many pro-worker candidates to state and federal offices in the mid-term elections.

Nov 01, 2018

Our Chance to Turn It Around | On the Record

This is one of the most important elections of our lifetimes. We can elect leaders who will be a champion for working people. Don't miss out.

Oct 12, 2018

Working People Are Struggling in Trump’s Economy

There is plenty of evidence that this is a strong economy primarily for those already in a privileged position.

Sep 21, 2018

Kavanaugh’s Pro-Corporate Agenda is a Major Disqualification

If Brett Kavanaugh ends up on the U.S. Supreme Court, the court’s core principles of equal justice and the right to a fair hearing will continue to be eroded.

Jul 16, 2018

We Are AFSCME

“But if they think we’re going to roll over, if they think this is going to slow us down or shut us up, if they think we’re going to let five unelected men in robes steal our freedom, they’ve got a big surprise coming."

Jun 28, 2018

‘The Labor Movement is Bigger Than One Supreme Court Decision’

AFSCME President Lee Saunders in a USA TODAY column about the Janus ruling: “The labor movement is bigger than one Supreme Court decision.”

Apr 20, 2018

Paul Booth's Life Celebrated

Family and friends of Paul Booth celebrated his life yesterday at an event where his contributions to AFSCME and the labor movement were recalled.

Mar 08, 2018

Public Employers Must Address Harassment Too

Unions have a track record of working with private sector employers on policies to curb sexual harassment in the workplace. AFSCME urges public service employers to do the same.

Jan 15, 2018

On The Record: I AM 2018

As we celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. we celebrate a champion of both civil rights and labor rights.

Dec 08, 2017

The False Slogan of Right to Work: An Attack on Worker Freedom

AFSCME Pres. Lee Saunders explains in a new column why the Janus v. AFSCME case would be particularly bad for minority communities.

Nov 30, 2017

Why Janus v. AFSCME is a Threat to All Working People

Pres. Lee Saunders explains why the Janus v. AFSCME case is a big threat to public service workers.

Nov 16, 2017

On the Record: The AFSCME Agenda

Real freedom and opportunity means more than just getting by. It means having a voice on the job, affordable health care, the promise of retirement security after a lifetime of hard work, and equal democracy for all. That’s The AFSCME Agenda.

Oct 23, 2017

Strong Unions Will Help Us Return to Normal

In these abnormal times, unions will help us all return to normal. Read on to find out how.

From the President Archive

Building Political Power BLOC By BLOC

On the Record: Child Care for All

AFSCME is on a Roll

'A Bold and Historic Step'

Remembering AFSCME President Jerry Wurf on his 100th Birthday

Honoring the Everyday Heroes of Public Service

An Inspiration to All: Jackie Saunders

We Carry on Dr. King’s Fight

On the Record: Resilience

Strong Unions Mean Strong African-American Communities

Union Leaders Discuss the Future of American Labor

SOTU Response: Invest in Our Communities and Public Services to Strengthen the Nation

Unions Aren’t Going Anywhere

President Saunders: Labor’s Future is Bright.

AFSCME President Saunders Demands End to Government Shutdown

Saunders to Trump: Don’t Shut Down the Government For Political Gain

Don’t Fall for the Freedom Foundation’s Lies

AFSCME Pres. Lee Saunders Hails Pro-Worker Victories in Midterms

Our Chance to Turn It Around | On the Record

Working People Are Struggling in Trump’s Economy

Kavanaugh’s Pro-Corporate Agenda is a Major Disqualification

We Are AFSCME

‘The Labor Movement is Bigger Than One Supreme Court Decision’

Paul Booth's Life Celebrated

Public Employers Must Address Harassment Too

On The Record: I AM 2018

The False Slogan of Right to Work: An Attack on Worker Freedom

Why Janus v. AFSCME is a Threat to All Working People

On the Record: The AFSCME Agenda

Strong Unions Will Help Us Return to Normal