Our Stories | Page 14 | American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)

January 23, 2018

Cool Job: Laura Riggins, Zookeeper

Read AFSCME member Laura Riggins, an animal handler at the Niabi Zoo in Coal Valley, Illinois, tell her story in her own words.

January 18, 2018

Remembering Paul Booth

AFSCME mourns the loss of labor pioneer Paul Booth.

January 16, 2018

CSEA Member’s Quick Thinking Saves a Life

Jay Gonzalez was not just in the right place at the right time, he was also the right person to save a child’s life.

January 02, 2018

Splash Medics Is Saving Children from Drowning

Lisa La Russo has been a paramedic, saving lives for nearly 30 years. But the AFSCME member in California decided that wasn’t enough.

November 30, 2017

Throwback Thursday: AFSCME Retiree Member Carol Ann Loehndorf

Meet Carol Ann Loehndorf, an AFSCME Retiree and the latest member to be spotlighted in our Retiree Throwback Thursday #TBT series.

November 27, 2017

Off-Duty Lifeguards Save Stranded Couple in California

These two college-aged lifeguards were off the clock when they saved a drowning couple.

November 13, 2017

Nearing Retirement, but Not Slowing Down

Retirement may be nearing, but AFSCME Never Quit Award Winner Paul Spicer isn’t slowing down.

October 30, 2017

She Never Quits – Not on Her Co-Workers, Not on a Stranger Mortally Injured

Oregon AFSCME member Emily Augustin was trained in life-saving techniques. Then she had to use them to try to save a stranger.

October 26, 2017

Throwback Thursday: AFSCME Retiree Member Sallie Robertson

Sallie Robertson is the next feature in our Retiree Throw Back Thursday #TBT series. From the DC 37 Retirees Association, one of New York’s finest crossing guards devoted her life to making sure the streets she protected were safe.

October 24, 2017

Cool Job: Protecting Florida’s Underwater Treasures

If you’ve ever visited the Florida Keys, and spent any time off of dry land, then you’ve visited the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. We tell you about a member who protects this fragile ecosystem.

October 16, 2017

A Father’s Words Inspire a Lifetime of Service

This dedicated Connecticut public service worker makes sure people get enough to eat and have the necessary education and training to find meaningful work.

October 12, 2017

AFSCME Retirees Never Quit!

AFSCME Retirees gave back to their communities through decades of hard work, but even in retirement they never quit.

October 04, 2017

IL Child Protection Investigator Attacked on the Job

An Illinois child protection investigator, and a member of Council 31, was brutally attacked on the job and is in a coma.

October 02, 2017

Off the Streets and into the Fire

Jay Richards, a Boston parking enforcement supervisor, acted on instinct when he rushed into a burning condo. The result? A life saved.

September 29, 2017

AFSCME Florida Steps in to Help Member Who Lost Home to Hurricane Irma

This Florida member can’t return to her home due to the damage caused by Hurricane Irma. She’s grateful for the help and attention provided by AFSCME Florida.

September 22, 2017

In Memoriam: Alvin Turner, Memphis Sanitation Worker and Labor Hero

AFSCME mourns the passing of Alvin Turner, 83, a participant in the 1968 Memphis sanitation workers’ strike and member of AFSCME Local 1733.

September 18, 2017

A Routine Job Becomes a Job to Save a Life

Two Akron, Ohio, AFSCME members helped save the life of a driver who lost control of his vehicle and crashed.

September 12, 2017

Rikers Island Inmates Say ‘Thanks’ to a Dedicated Library Worker

The stacks of handwritten thank-you notes for the NY Public Library’s mobile library and literacy program at Rikers Island jail show just how valuable Louise Stamp is.

September 05, 2017

Finding A Home Through His Public Service

Alex Hamilton, a maintenance worker for Sacramento public housing, got a lot farther by working a lot harder in his community through his public service and extraordinary generosity.

August 22, 2017

Minnesota Workers Save Plane Crash Victim

Two Minnesota public service workers saved the life of a pilot whose small plane crashed shortly after takeoff.

August 21, 2017

Somali Refugee Is Like a Mother to Her Community

AFSCME member Hawo Gurey survived a civil war, lived in an African refugee camp and finally made it to Minnesota, where she is now a mother to her community.

August 07, 2017

Custodial Heroes Save a Student’s Life

Custodial staff at a California college don’t just ably serve their institution; the AFSCME members recently prevented a student from committing suicide.

July 24, 2017

This Member Doesn’t See Himself a Hero. Everyone Else Does

Traffic control maintenance worker John Marciel used his bravery and familiarity with traffic signs to save the life of a child.

July 19, 2017

A Game Show Jackpot Will Change His Life – But Not His Public-Service Job

Why were Illinois sanitation worker Delvar Dopson and his wife competing on the NBC show “The Wall,” and what will they do with the jackpot they won? Bet you can’t guess.

July 12, 2017

Christopher Cummings Never Quits

When he witnessed a horrible accident involving a police car, AFSCME sanitation worker Chris Cummings sprang into action. Chris used to be homeless, but he got a second chance. This time, it was his turn to give a second chance.

July 10, 2017

New York Librarian Brings Books to Homeless Children

At a time when public services, including libraries, are under attack, it’s up to AFSCME members who never quit to keep our communities strong – people like Colbert Nembhard.

July 05, 2017

NYC EMTs Help Panic-Stricken Riders of Derailed Subway Train

Emergency medical technicians, members of DC 37, helped panic-stricken riders of derailed subway train after a recent crash.

June 19, 2017

Feeling Fortunate, Paying it Forward

Margaret Smolko fosters compassion and dignity for the residents of the Pennsylvania care center where she works.

June 13, 2017

AFSCME Texas Corrections Officer Dies After Confrontation with Inmate

Shana Tedder, a Texas corrections officer and member of AFSCME Texas Corrections Local 3920, died after a June 9 incident involving an inmate.

June 05, 2017

Laura Fulmer Takes Her Job Seriously. Her Community Loves Her for It

Never Quit Award winner Laura Fulmer is serious about her job as a Housing Code Enforcement Officer. Her community is very appreciative.

Our Stories Archive

Cool Job: Laura Riggins, Zookeeper

Remembering Paul Booth

CSEA Member’s Quick Thinking Saves a Life

Splash Medics Is Saving Children from Drowning

Throwback Thursday: AFSCME Retiree Member Carol Ann Loehndorf

Off-Duty Lifeguards Save Stranded Couple in California

Nearing Retirement, but Not Slowing Down

She Never Quits – Not on Her Co-Workers, Not on a Stranger Mortally Injured

Throwback Thursday: AFSCME Retiree Member Sallie Robertson

Cool Job: Protecting Florida’s Underwater Treasures

A Father’s Words Inspire a Lifetime of Service

AFSCME Retirees Never Quit!

IL Child Protection Investigator Attacked on the Job

Off the Streets and into the Fire

AFSCME Florida Steps in to Help Member Who Lost Home to Hurricane Irma

In Memoriam: Alvin Turner, Memphis Sanitation Worker and Labor Hero

A Routine Job Becomes a Job to Save a Life

Rikers Island Inmates Say ‘Thanks’ to a Dedicated Library Worker

Finding A Home Through His Public Service

Minnesota Workers Save Plane Crash Victim

Somali Refugee Is Like a Mother to Her Community

Custodial Heroes Save a Student’s Life

This Member Doesn’t See Himself a Hero. Everyone Else Does

A Game Show Jackpot Will Change His Life – But Not His Public-Service Job

Christopher Cummings Never Quits

New York Librarian Brings Books to Homeless Children

NYC EMTs Help Panic-Stricken Riders of Derailed Subway Train

Feeling Fortunate, Paying it Forward

AFSCME Texas Corrections Officer Dies After Confrontation with Inmate

Laura Fulmer Takes Her Job Seriously. Her Community Loves Her for It