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
June 17, 2020 Workers caravan brings together thousands to demand bold action from Congress More than a thousand union members traveled to the nation’s capital to demand bold action resolve the crises facing our nation. Similar rallies were held nationwide. Read More
June 11, 2020 Continuing to protect Hawaii from invasive pests during the coronavirus pandemic Hawaii’s plant quarantine inspectors safeguard the state’s unique ecology. Laying them off because of COVID-related funding shortages would harm the environment and the economy. Read More
June 04, 2020 Urgent Investment in Public Health, Contact Tracers Workforce is Needed AFSCME President Lee Saunders and two AFSCME contact tracer-members made the case for urgent investment in public health infrastructure. Read More
May 26, 2020 A Life of Service: One Man’s Mission to Put Others First Oregon AFSCME member Michael Stewart volunteered to work in the COVID-19 unit at Oregon Health & Science University. Find out why he felt compelled to raise his hand. Read More
May 22, 2020 ‘It’s Like 9/11 Every Day’ A healthy New York City Fire Department EMS lieutenant for 25 years suddenly got sick with COVID-19. This is his story. Read More
May 21, 2020 All EMS Workers Should be Eligible for Federal Benefits Program The Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program shouldn’t exclude EMS workers based on whom they work for. Read More
May 19, 2020 Pandemic Sparks Awareness of the Importance of Mental Health May is Mental Health Month and the COVID-19 crisis shows that people’s mental health is as important as their physical and economic health. Read More
May 14, 2020 AFSCME Members Recovering From COVID-19 Share Their Stories, Seek State, Local Aid In a press call, AFSCME front-line workers shared stories of suffering with COVID-19 as they highlighted the urgent need for congressional aid. Read More
May 12, 2020 Saunders: HEROES Act Is Right for America AFSCME supports pro-worker legislation introduced in the U.S. House. The HEROES Act includes robust state and local aid. Read More
May 11, 2020 Helping to Bring Babies into the World of COVID-19 In obstetrics, social distancing is just not possible. Hawaii nurse Sharay Souza continues to work diligently, despite her fears of contracting COVID-19. Read More
May 11, 2020 Honoring AFSCME Public Safety Members During Law Enforcement Week Law Enforcement Week is a time to honor the work done by and the sacrifices made by all public safety professionals, especially those who die in the line of duty. Read More
May 07, 2020 The Case Against Private Prisons Private prisons put communities at risk. By cutting corners to boost profits, they endanger inmates and correctional staff alike. Public safety belongs in the public sector. Read More
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. Read More
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. Read More
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. Read More
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. Read More