March 01, 2021 AFSCME president urges swift Senate action on COVID-19 relief bill AFSCME President Lee Saunders is asking the Senate to do what the House of Representatives did over the weekend – pass the Biden administration’s American Rescue Plan. Read More
February 18, 2021 MD members push for essential worker protections AFSCME members in Maryland played a major role in crafting two worker-safety bills that are making their way through the legislature. Read More
February 12, 2021 There’s new HOPE for a new agreement with the City of Houston HOPE members have kicked off a collaborative process to set priorities and negotiate a new agreement with the City of Houston later this year. Read More
February 11, 2021 For Florida member, a legislative fight is about more than just the bill Florida member Tallulah Thomas, who has sacrificed much to serve her community, continues to fight thanks to the power she gains from her union. Read More
February 04, 2021 Connecticut AFSCME members use collective action to get vaccines to state prisons When the State of Connecticut failed to come up with a vaccination plan for prison staff, AFSCME correction officers joined hands and took action – and reaped success. Read More
January 27, 2021 In first days as president, Biden shows bold leadership President Joe Biden has taken swift executive action to move forward a working people's agenda, showing the kind of bold leadership our country needs. Read More
January 26, 2021 AFSCME members help usher in tough COVID safety standards in Virginia AFSCME Virginia members fought and won to establish permanent COVID-19 safety standards. Read More
January 25, 2021 Hawaii’s Peter Oshiro has his co-workers’ backs Our latest Never Quit Service Award winner, Hawaii’s Peter Oshiro, has his co-workers’ backs – even if it means reaching into his own pocket to make sure they are safe. Read More
January 22, 2021 Criminal charges in Flint water crisis a first step toward justice The suffering caused by the Flint water crisis cannot be undone, but criminal charges filed against former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder and members of his administration are a welcome first step toward justice. Read More
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. Read More
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. Read More
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. Read More
December 15, 2020 New Chief Safety Officer position makes prisons safer The Illinois Department of Corrections is working with AFSCME corrections unions to fight the coronavirus pandemic as one. And the results are promising on many levels. Read More
December 03, 2020 Despite tragedy, management resistance, solidarity wins MI nurses new contract Amid tragedy, the nurses of McLaren Hospital in Flint, Michigan, found a renewed solidarity – and won a new contract. Read More
November 09, 2020 The Maryland Defenders Union takes on a COVID outbreak at a Baltimore courthouse Members of the newly chartered Maryland Defenders Union fight for greater on-the-job protections. Read More
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. Read More
October 27, 2020 With Coney Barrett confirmation, Senate majority continues its ‘power games’ AFSCME President Lee Saunders calls the confirmation of Justice Amy Coney Barrett a corrupt political game. Read More
October 22, 2020 Saunders talks worker power, union support for political candidates AFSCME President Lee Saunders discussed working people’s concerns and ways to win union support in an interview with the National Democratic Training Committee. Read More
October 14, 2020 Priority should be funding front-line workers, not fast-tracking anti-worker judge OCSEA’s Chris Mabe appealed to the Senate to fund the front lines rather than ramming through Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s Supreme Court nomination. Read More
October 13, 2020 Hispanic Heritage Month event chronicles battles, victories and voting A virtual Hispanic Heritage Month event recounts the battles and victories of Latinos, and the importance of voting this Nov. 3. Read More
September 21, 2020 Maine’s leaders join AFSCME in demanding urgent federal aid to states, cities and towns Elected leaders from Maine joined AFSCME Pres. Lee Saunders and IVP/Council 93 Exec. Dir. Mark Bernard in calling on Congress for urgent federal aid. Read More
September 17, 2020 As schools reopen, employees take on more responsibility as they face lack of federal support As a new school year begins during the pandemic, we also need a new leader in the White House. Read More
September 16, 2020 COVID-19 deaths lower in unionized nursing homes A new study found that nursing homes that are unionized had fewer COVID-19 deaths. Read More
September 01, 2020 What the doctor ordered: For pandemic relief, one dose of collective bargaining for every worker A new report by the Economic Policy Institute shows why unionized workers in America have fared better during the coronavirus pandemic. Read More
August 28, 2020 What’s at stake for women in the elections Virtual town hall features talks on the 19th Amendment and on the need for women to vote in the next elections. Read More
August 10, 2020 Trump’s executive actions slammed as handiwork of a ‘corrupt, incompetent’ president Rather than resolving the coronavirus crisis, the White House is choosing to take possibly illegal actions. This is not what our nation needs. Read More
July 30, 2020 Connecticut governor issues executive order to protect front-line workers After Council 4 members speak up, Connecticut governor issues an executive order making front-line workers with COVID-19 eligible for worker’s comp coverage. Read More
July 06, 2020 Workers filed more than 4,100 complaints about protective gear. Some still died. OSHA is supposed to protect workers. But an investigation finds federal and state OSHA officials closed many complaints without taking action – despite a number of worker deaths. Read More
June 24, 2020 ‘The anger is blinding’ DC 37 member and New York paramedic discusses fighting the coronavirus pandemic in a powerful first-person account published by the Washington Post. Read More
June 22, 2020 Though shorthanded, AFSCME members smother wildfire, head off disaster A forest fire got contained quickly thanks to the dedication of AFSCME Michigan members, but short-staffing may lead to tragic results the next time. Read More