Priorities | Page 1 | American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)

January 22, 2021

Union members lost fewer jobs during this pandemic. That’s a difference a union makes

Union members were more protected from pandemic-related job losses than nonunion workers. That’s a big difference a union makes.

January 19, 2021

Amid COVID-19 surge, MD Gov. Hogan plays politics with state employee contracts

Gov. Larry Hogan needs to do right by the state employees who are working hard for their communities every day. They deserve a better contract.

January 15, 2021

Reviving Dr. King’s legacy

On what would be Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s 92nd birthday, his message of nonviolent dissent resonates more powerfully than ever.

January 14, 2021

As Biden-Harris take over, AFSCME renews calls for federal aid for public services

AFSCME is part of a coalition urging the new Congress and administration to provide robust federal assistance to states, cities, towns and schools without delay.

January 13, 2021

Health experts reassure union members that COVID vaccines are safe, effective

A roundtable of experts discuss COVID-19 vaccines, their safety and their efficacy with union members.

January 11, 2021

AFSCME’s Saunders: ‘Impeach this president who daily desecrates American values and lives’

President Donald Trump should resign or be kicked out of office, AFSCME President Lee Saunders says.

January 08, 2021

AFSCME celebrates Biden’s pick of Boston Mayor Marty Walsh for U.S. labor secretary

AFSCME applauds President-elect Joe Biden’s selection of Boston Mayor Marty Walsh to serve as our country’s next secretary of labor.

January 08, 2021

AFSCME pushes for investigation following death of overworked Florida member

The death of an overworked AFSCME Florida member has sparked a call from her union for a sweeping investigation.

January 07, 2021

Saunders: Wednesday was ‘one of the darkest days in American history’

We denounce the mayhem at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday.

December 22, 2020

Early coronavirus vaccine recipient feels optimistic about what lies ahead

Myo Thant, a front-line worker in Seattle and a member of Council 28, is one of the first AFSCME members to receive the coronavirus vaccine.

December 21, 2020

Saunders blasts COVID relief package as ‘a slap in the face’ to working people

AFSCME President Lee Saunders calls the COVID relief package “a slap in the face.”

December 16, 2020

Georgia heads back to the polls for Warnock, Ossoff

Longtime Atlanta bus driver Quentin Hutchins tells us why it’s so vital to vote for Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff in the Georgia runoff elections.

December 11, 2020

Another reason to involve yourself in the GA Senate runoffs – funding for front-line heroes

Want federal aid to support public services? Help the pro-worker challengers win the Georgia runoff elections on Jan. 5.

December 10, 2020

AFSCME respiratory therapist in remarks to Congress: ‘I want you to wear a mask’

Ramon Williams, a member of AFSCME Florida Council 79, participated in a congressional listening session about the challenges front-line workers have faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

December 09, 2020

Child care assistance will be essential for front-line workers in coming months

Child care assistance is essential for front-line workers. Two Oregon AFSCME members explain why.

December 04, 2020

Facing an ‘economic battering,’ Congress must fund the front lines

A New York Times article echoes AFSCME’s call to urgently fund the front lines.

December 01, 2020

Saunders credits sustained voter engagement for Biden-Harris win

For Our Future, a grassroots voter engagement organization, helped deliver a Biden-Harris win. Find out how.

November 24, 2020

Western New York workers rally to save retiree health care benefits

Members of two local unions in Western NY are fighting back against taking away retiree benefits to cut city costs.

November 23, 2020

To Fund The Front Lines, We Need to Win in Georgia

In President Saunders’ latest “On the Record” video, he says it’s all hands on deck to support pro-worker candidates in Georgia’s runoff elections.

November 19, 2020

Child care providers file unfair practice charge against California

Frustrated by the State of California’s inaction, child care providers have filed an unfair practice charge to get help.

November 18, 2020

AFSCME supports Boston mayor Marty Walsh for labor secretary

AFSCME, other unions recommend Boston Mayor Marty Walsh for labor secretary.

November 17, 2020

Biden: Union, business leaders agree that funding the front lines is ‘urgent’

After meeting with union and business leaders, President-elect Joe Biden said the participants agreed on the urgent need to fund the front lines.

November 10, 2020

In the middle of a pandemic, Trump threatens health care for millions of Americans

In the middle of a pandemic, the Trump administration is helping 18 states' attorneys general to take away health care from millions of Americans.

November 07, 2020

Biden, Harris win after voters’ voices were heard in democratic process

AFSCME celebrates the fact that two champions of working people – Joe Biden and Kamala Harris – will be the next president and vice president.

November 05, 2020

Through our electoral program, AFSCME members made a difference in the 2020 election

AFSCME members still made a huge difference in key races across the country this year – despite not being able to go door to door due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

November 05, 2020

AFSCME sues to protect health workers from COVID-19, flu, Ebola

A lawsuit by AFSCME and three other unions is aimed at forcing OSHA to adopt a standard to protect health care workers against COVID-19 and similar diseases.

November 04, 2020

Count every vote

As key races remain undecided, AFSCME President Lee Saunders issued a simple message: Count every vote.

November 02, 2020

Regardless of when results come in, vote!

Whether we know the winners on Tuesday night or in the days to come, we must all vote in what is one of the most important elections in recent memory.

November 02, 2020

AFSCME members’ public service goes all the way to the polls

Florida’s Jutta Tolbert is one of many AFSCME members heading to the polls on Election Day not to vote, but to serve as a poll worker and safeguard our democracy.

October 30, 2020

Harris urges union members to vote, show their power

Sen. Kamala Harris joined AFSCME President Lee Saunders and AFT President Randi Weingarten in a tele-town hall Thursday night to urge people to vote.

Priorities Archive

Union members lost fewer jobs during this pandemic. That’s a difference a union makes

Amid COVID-19 surge, MD Gov. Hogan plays politics with state employee contracts

Reviving Dr. King’s legacy

As Biden-Harris take over, AFSCME renews calls for federal aid for public services

Health experts reassure union members that COVID vaccines are safe, effective

AFSCME’s Saunders: ‘Impeach this president who daily desecrates American values and lives’

AFSCME celebrates Biden’s pick of Boston Mayor Marty Walsh for U.S. labor secretary

AFSCME pushes for investigation following death of overworked Florida member

Saunders: Wednesday was ‘one of the darkest days in American history’

Early coronavirus vaccine recipient feels optimistic about what lies ahead

Saunders blasts COVID relief package as ‘a slap in the face’ to working people

Georgia heads back to the polls for Warnock, Ossoff

Another reason to involve yourself in the GA Senate runoffs – funding for front-line heroes

AFSCME respiratory therapist in remarks to Congress: ‘I want you to wear a mask’

Child care assistance will be essential for front-line workers in coming months

Facing an ‘economic battering,’ Congress must fund the front lines

Saunders credits sustained voter engagement for Biden-Harris win

Western New York workers rally to save retiree health care benefits

To Fund The Front Lines, We Need to Win in Georgia

Child care providers file unfair practice charge against California

AFSCME supports Boston mayor Marty Walsh for labor secretary

Biden: Union, business leaders agree that funding the front lines is ‘urgent’

In the middle of a pandemic, Trump threatens health care for millions of Americans

Biden, Harris win after voters’ voices were heard in democratic process

Through our electoral program, AFSCME members made a difference in the 2020 election

AFSCME sues to protect health workers from COVID-19, flu, Ebola

Count every vote

Regardless of when results come in, vote!

AFSCME members’ public service goes all the way to the polls

Harris urges union members to vote, show their power