Our Stories | Page 8 | American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)

January 27, 2020

Cafeteria Worker at Florida High School Keeps it Real with Students

Norma Motard, an assistant cafeteria worker at DeLand High School in Florida, is the latest winner of AFSCME’s Never Quit Service Award.

January 23, 2020

Join a Union. Your Wallet Will Thank You.

Joining a union will improve your financial wellbeing. New federal statistics prove that point.

January 21, 2020

AFSCME Ohio Council 8 Leader Marie Clark Passes Away

AFSCME mourns the passing of Council 8 leader Marie Clark.

January 13, 2020

With Poise and Compassion, Heather Mikesell Protects Children in Fairbanks, AK

Heather Mikesell earned AFSCME’s Never Quit Service Award through her dedication to helping the children of Fairbanks, Alaska.

December 20, 2019

Dedicated to Making Her Hospital Work for all Patients

Jackie Rodriguez plays a crucial role in helping patients in central Massachusetts receive a diagnosis and treatment.

December 16, 2019

Caught in Limbo: AFSCME Member Struggles with Student Loan Forgiveness

AFSCME Pennsylvania member Sheila O’Steen finally got her loans forgiven under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program with congressional help. But not everyone is that lucky.

December 09, 2019

A Minor Gesture Makes a Major Difference

Iowa utility worker Chris DeHarty, a member of AFSCME Local 212 (Council 61), helped his fellow public service worker, Lynette Tiede-Beals, in a time of crisis.

December 02, 2019

BART Worker Honored as Hero After Saving Man From Being Hit by Train

AFSCME Council 57 member wins national praise after saving a passenger from being hit by a train in Northern California.

November 26, 2019

Beating the Expectations, Believing in His Community

George Morales, a member of AFSCME Local 1624, has always believed in his community, even when others didn’t. That’s why he’s a Never Quit Service Award winner.

November 19, 2019

New York 911 Operator Honored with Statewide Award

Meet AFSCME Council 66 member and 911 operator Loretta Anderson, whose job is unseen and often unappreciated. Not any longer, though.

November 18, 2019

Tulsa Water Distribution Admin Is ‘Awesome Person’ and Problem Solver

Laura Chance of Oklahoma Local 1180, works behind the scenes to make sure employees of Tulsa’s water department have everything they need to keep the water distribution system up and running.

November 18, 2019

Union 411: Collective Bargaining

On this installment of “Union 411,” learn how AFSCME members come together to build power and win strong union contracts that improve our workplaces and our communities.

November 08, 2019

California Merger: Local 1, Council 57 Agree to Unify

By joining with AFSCME Council 57, Public Employees Union members have gained a much stronger voice.

November 07, 2019

Round-the-Clock Commitment to Public Service

Some AFSCME members perform public service during and after work. Like Oregon member Vanessa Nordyke.

November 05, 2019

Los Angeles Retiree Selma Benjamin: Dedicated and Determined at 100

At 100, Los Angeles retiree Selman Benjamin remains dedicated and determined – and AFSCME Strong.

October 29, 2019

For Nevada Psychiatric Nurse, His Union Helps Him ‘Concentrate on Caring for People’

Alonzo Thornton is a psychiatric nurse in Nevada who says that it’s because his union has his back that he can “concentrate on caring for people.”

October 16, 2019

Quick Thinking, Decisive Action Save Connecticut Member’s Life

Heroic actions by his alert, quick-thinking colleagues saved a Connecticut member’s life after he suffered a workplace accident.

October 15, 2019

California Nurse Once Thought About Quitting but Persevered

Early in Brian Zeringue’s career, a patient died on him. He thought about quitting, but thanks to support from his colleagues, he persevered – and his community is better off for it.

October 09, 2019

Online Training Available for AFSCME Women Leading Change

Attention AFSCME members. The 2019 Women’s Leadership Academy Online is gearing up to offer a new series of trainings. Find out how to sign up.

September 25, 2019

New York Congressman Espaillat Joins AFSCME in Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

Espaillat, who represents New York’s 13th congressional district, is a Dominican immigrant and the first Dominican-American to serve in the U.S. Congress.

September 24, 2019

AFSCME’s Wage Calculator Highlights the Benefits of Union Membership

Union members bring home bigger paychecks than workers who don’t have the power to sit down and negotiate together. The numbers tell the story.

September 23, 2019

The World’s Largest Library: Powered by AFSCME Members

AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer Elissa McBride goes behind-the-scenes at the Library of Congress.

September 11, 2019

This Year on 9/11, We Finally Live Up to Our Promise to Help Those Who Never Quit

As we observe the 18th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, Congress has finally authorized permanent funding for first responders and others who became ill after working at the World Trade Center on that tragic day.

August 30, 2019

Remembering Brother Baxter Leach, A 1968 Memphis Sanitation Striker

We celebrate the life of Brother Baxter Leach, a 1968 Memphis sanitation striker, who remained a labor and civil rights activist until his death this week.

August 28, 2019

Approval for Unions Near 50-Year High, Reflecting Broader Momentum

Approval for unions is at a near 50-year high. It’s becoming increasingly clear that this trend is the result of workers realizing the value of unions.

August 26, 2019

He Helps Nevada Students See Campus and They Inspire Him

Never Quit Award winner and Local 4041 member Larry Coffey teaches blind and visually impaired students at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, to move around campus.

August 20, 2019

Condolences to the Family of Brother Neuman in Oregon

The AFSCME family mourns the workplace death of one of our members in Oregon.

August 14, 2019

We Mourn Puerto Rico Corrections Officer Killed by Inmate

AFSCME mourns the loss of our brother Pedro Rodríguez-Mateo, a corrections officer in Puerto Rico, who was killed in the line of duty.

August 12, 2019

Offering Comfort Amidst the Cinders

Find out how Chico, California, social worker Lance Ferris, a member of AFSCME Local 2620 (Council 57) and the winner of a Never Quit Service Award, used his training to stem trauma and offer comfort after the Camp Fire.

August 05, 2019

Candidates Say Yes to Union Rights

Divided presidential candidates were united over one issue at AFSCME Public Service Forum.

Our Stories Archive

Cafeteria Worker at Florida High School Keeps it Real with Students

Join a Union. Your Wallet Will Thank You.

AFSCME Ohio Council 8 Leader Marie Clark Passes Away

With Poise and Compassion, Heather Mikesell Protects Children in Fairbanks, AK

Dedicated to Making Her Hospital Work for all Patients

Caught in Limbo: AFSCME Member Struggles with Student Loan Forgiveness

A Minor Gesture Makes a Major Difference

BART Worker Honored as Hero After Saving Man From Being Hit by Train

Beating the Expectations, Believing in His Community

New York 911 Operator Honored with Statewide Award

Tulsa Water Distribution Admin Is ‘Awesome Person’ and Problem Solver

Union 411: Collective Bargaining

California Merger: Local 1, Council 57 Agree to Unify

Round-the-Clock Commitment to Public Service

Los Angeles Retiree Selma Benjamin: Dedicated and Determined at 100

For Nevada Psychiatric Nurse, His Union Helps Him ‘Concentrate on Caring for People’

Quick Thinking, Decisive Action Save Connecticut Member’s Life

California Nurse Once Thought About Quitting but Persevered

Online Training Available for AFSCME Women Leading Change

New York Congressman Espaillat Joins AFSCME in Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

AFSCME’s Wage Calculator Highlights the Benefits of Union Membership

The World’s Largest Library: Powered by AFSCME Members

This Year on 9/11, We Finally Live Up to Our Promise to Help Those Who Never Quit

Remembering Brother Baxter Leach, A 1968 Memphis Sanitation Striker

Approval for Unions Near 50-Year High, Reflecting Broader Momentum

He Helps Nevada Students See Campus and They Inspire Him

Condolences to the Family of Brother Neuman in Oregon

We Mourn Puerto Rico Corrections Officer Killed by Inmate

Offering Comfort Amidst the Cinders

Candidates Say Yes to Union Rights