Our Stories | Page 5 | American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)

May 08, 2020

Happy Mother’s Day to My AFSCME Mom – My Everyday Hero

The daughter of an AFSCME Florida member has a special Mother’s Day message for her mom.

May 07, 2020

Congressional Black Caucus Town Hall on State, Local Aid Features Florida Member, President Saunders

An AFSCME Florida member joined African American lawmakers in calling on Congress to provide aid to state and local governments.

May 06, 2020

Despite Scarce Support, NJ Hospital Workers Continue to Protect Patients and Staff

New Jersey hospital workers are soldiering on, despite a scarcity of resources, despite some of them contracting COVID-19.

May 06, 2020

Connecticut Nurse and Mother of Two Is All About Her Patients – And Her Boys

When Yajaira Perez, a Connecticut nurse and mother of two, is not at work, she is spending time with her two teenage boys. Perez is a winner of AFSCME's Never Quit Service Award.

May 05, 2020

‘My Job is Dangerous Every Day. But COVID-19 Has Elevated that Threat’

Violence is escalating inside a Connecticut prison, as fear of catching COVID-19 grows among the inmates.

May 05, 2020

Overworked and Underprotected: Ohio Correction Officer Seeks Federal Assistance

Inside a Columbus, Ohio, facility, corrections officers are overworked and worried about catching COVID-19.

May 05, 2020

‘Things Are Beyond a Breaking Point’ Says Ohio CO Infected with COVID-19

What’s it like inside a prison where the coronavirus is running rampant? An Ohio corrections officer who has COVID-19 explains.

April 29, 2020

Helping Ohio’s Unemployed, One Person at a Time

Providing an economic lifeline to unemployed Ohioans means working nights and weekends for these two OCSEA members.

April 29, 2020

Furloughed Florida Member Needs More Than Prayer to Survive

Shirley Thomas tells her story of economic insecurity and urges federal aid for state and local governments so she could return to serving her community.

April 28, 2020

This Workers Memorial Day, We Honor Those Who Died at Work, Including From COVID-19.

On Workers Memorial Day, we honor and mourn those who lost their lives on the job – including from COVID-19.

April 24, 2020

COVID-19 is Not Slowing Down Foster Care, Adoption Services in Adams County, CO

Once the COVID-19 pandemic is behind us, AFSCME members in Adams County, Colorado, expect an increase in child abuse reports.

April 23, 2020

At Risk, But Unwavering in Her Commitment

Despite the risks the COVID-19 pandemic brings to front-line workers, Connecticut intake investigator Shannon Martin remains steadfast in her commitment to her clients.

April 22, 2020

‘Our Work is Essential to Keep Kids Safe’

A Washington state member whose job is to protect children from abuse speaks about the effect that the coronavirus pandemic is having on her job.

April 22, 2020

Honoring Library Workers On A Day Dedicated to Them

Libraries are important to communities, and we honor the workers who keep them running.

April 20, 2020

COVID-19 is Hitting America’s Prisons. AFSCME COs Are Fighting to Contain It.

A Texas prison that had no COVID-19 cases a month ago now has four. That’s just one example of the virus hitting correctional facilities where our members work.

April 17, 2020

Continuing to Serve Special Needs Individuals During the Pandemic

Serving Hawaii residents who have physical and intellectual disabilities is proving to be particularly difficult during the COVID-19 pandemic.

April 16, 2020

‘This is what we are called to do’: Inside a Drive-Up COVID-19 Testing Facility

AFSCME members in Manchester, New Hampshire, are staffing a drive-up coronavirus testing site. They have tested more than 800 people and counting.

April 14, 2020

Each Client Visit Filled with Trepidation for Colorado Social Caseworker

When Colorado member Camille Frazier goes to work, she’s anxious about visiting homes where someone might have COVID-19.

April 13, 2020

Meet an AFSCME Member Offering Comfort to People Losing Jobs

You know which front-line workers have become heroes of late? Unemployment claims professionals like Jason Suggs of Maryland.

April 09, 2020

UI Claims Processors Offer Hope, But Sustaining That Work Requires More Aid

An AFSCME member and AFSCME President Lee Saunders joined others in pushing for more state and local assistance from Congress.

April 08, 2020

No Clear Path for Two California Hospital Workers

Two Bay area hospital workers in northern California face an uncertain path during the coronavirus pandemic.

April 08, 2020

‘We’re Doing Our Best, But It Feels Like We’re Using Chicken Wire and Zip Ties’

Even in paradise, the coronavirus is a problem. Hawaii Child/adult protective services specialist Kalani Motta describes the challenges he faces in doing his job.

April 08, 2020

AZ Paramedic: ‘We Need Leadership From the Federal Government’

It’s become a familiar refrain from first responders like Michelle Prentice of Arizona – they need more protective gear.

April 07, 2020

Bayou State Blues: Members Slammed While Processing Record Unemployment Claims

Louisiana members handling unemployment claims are seeing a huge spike in cases as the Bayou State economy crumbles.

April 03, 2020

Behavioral Health Workers Share Challenges of Treatment During COVID-19 Pandemic

AFSCME Council 28 member Mike Yestramski, president of WFSE, described some of the challenges facing behavioral health workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

April 03, 2020

Desperate for Relief, Under Unprecedented Strain, FDNY EMS Continues to Serve

AFSCME EMS workers in New York City are exhausted but continue to serve.

April 02, 2020

Health Care Workers on the Front Lines in AZ Fight to Reach the ‘Finish Line’ Safely

In Tucson, Arizona, AFSCME Local 449 member John Duran is fighting for more protective equipment for his co-workers and a written COVID-19 plan from management.

April 02, 2020

A Community’s Greatest Asset During a Pandemic? Try Union Solidarity.

AFSCME members are going above the call of duty to keep their communities safe – and are looking out for one another in selfless and inspiring ways as this Kentucky example shows.

April 01, 2020

Their Lives Are On The Line. Yet, ‘Public Service Workers Still Answer the Call’

What’s it like to be on the front lines as a health care worker? AFSCME President Lee Saunders and three AFSCME International vice presidents provide details.

April 01, 2020

‘We’re Built To Do This’

Hear from health care workers about their commitment to serve on the front lines of the fight against the coronavirus.

Our Stories Archive

Happy Mother’s Day to My AFSCME Mom – My Everyday Hero

Congressional Black Caucus Town Hall on State, Local Aid Features Florida Member, President Saunders

Despite Scarce Support, NJ Hospital Workers Continue to Protect Patients and Staff

Connecticut Nurse and Mother of Two Is All About Her Patients – And Her Boys

‘My Job is Dangerous Every Day. But COVID-19 Has Elevated that Threat’

Overworked and Underprotected: Ohio Correction Officer Seeks Federal Assistance

‘Things Are Beyond a Breaking Point’ Says Ohio CO Infected with COVID-19

Helping Ohio’s Unemployed, One Person at a Time

Furloughed Florida Member Needs More Than Prayer to Survive

This Workers Memorial Day, We Honor Those Who Died at Work, Including From COVID-19.

COVID-19 is Not Slowing Down Foster Care, Adoption Services in Adams County, CO

At Risk, But Unwavering in Her Commitment

‘Our Work is Essential to Keep Kids Safe’

Honoring Library Workers On A Day Dedicated to Them

COVID-19 is Hitting America’s Prisons. AFSCME COs Are Fighting to Contain It.

Continuing to Serve Special Needs Individuals During the Pandemic

‘This is what we are called to do’: Inside a Drive-Up COVID-19 Testing Facility

Each Client Visit Filled with Trepidation for Colorado Social Caseworker

Meet an AFSCME Member Offering Comfort to People Losing Jobs

UI Claims Processors Offer Hope, But Sustaining That Work Requires More Aid

No Clear Path for Two California Hospital Workers

‘We’re Doing Our Best, But It Feels Like We’re Using Chicken Wire and Zip Ties’

AZ Paramedic: ‘We Need Leadership From the Federal Government’

Bayou State Blues: Members Slammed While Processing Record Unemployment Claims

Behavioral Health Workers Share Challenges of Treatment During COVID-19 Pandemic

Desperate for Relief, Under Unprecedented Strain, FDNY EMS Continues to Serve

Health Care Workers on the Front Lines in AZ Fight to Reach the ‘Finish Line’ Safely

A Community’s Greatest Asset During a Pandemic? Try Union Solidarity.

Their Lives Are On The Line. Yet, ‘Public Service Workers Still Answer the Call’

‘We’re Built To Do This’