March 11, 2024 Helping some of Hawaii’s most vulnerable, Never Quit winner embodies can-do spirit Mary Akimo-Lu’uwai, who works for the Hawaii Department of Health, is the latest winner of our union’s Never Quit Service Award. Read More
January 18, 2024 Workers at renowned Massachusetts hospital win hard-fought first contract A contract at last for workers at a famed Massachusetts psychiatric hospital. Read More
January 08, 2024 With a ‘heart of wisdom,’ hospital housekeeper Greta Glenn advocates for her co-workers With 27 years’ experience under her belt, psychiatric hospital housekeeper Greta Glenn helps new employees learn the ropes. Read More
September 11, 2023 With selflessness and ‘sunlight,’ Jennifer Espino brightens the lives of people with disabilities The latest Never Quit winner, Massachusetts’ Jennifer Espino, brightens the lives of those in her care. Read More
July 27, 2023 We mourn Haley Rogers, an Oregon behavioral health worker who died on the job AFSCME mourns the killing of Haley Rogers, an Oregon behavioral health worker who was killed at work. Read More
June 28, 2023 New Mexico psychiatric nurse says short staffing can lead to ‘dangerous situations’ Inna Lopatyuk, a psychiatric nurse in New Mexico, says short-staffing at the hospital where she works is causing problems for staff and patients Read More
May 31, 2023 Understaffing, other workplace challenges discussed in mental health worker round table In a round table discussion, mental health workers discussed their workplace challenges and ways to resolve them. Read More
April 12, 2023 Staffing crisis hits patients, workers at Illinois center for intellectually disabled Meet Crosby Smith, an Illinois caregiver who can deliver even better service if he just had more help and support. Read More
January 17, 2023 United We Heal apprenticeship in Oregon snags nearly $900K in federal funding Our union’s United We Heal campaign is getting nearly $900,000 from the federal government to bolster a behavioral health apprenticeship program in Oregon. Read More
October 13, 2022 New Jersey behavioral health workers ratify first contract with SERV after years of standing united SERV behavioral health workers in New Jersey ratified their first contract. Read More
June 17, 2022 New Jersey behavioral health workers employed by SERV Centers may strike AFSCME New Jersey members who work for SERV Centers may be striking soon in pursuit of a fair contract. Read More
June 06, 2022 In Public Service Spotlight, FL member talks about caring for mental health patients A Public Service Spotlight segment in May featured an AFSCME Florida behavioral health worker. Read More
May 24, 2022 AFSCME members honor Mental Health Awareness Month, reflect on changing industry We honor behavioral health care workers during National Mental Health Awareness Month. Read More
April 29, 2022 Workers at Massachusetts hospital vote to unionize despite management’s fierce opposition Two groups of workers at McLean Hospital in Massachusetts have voted to join Council 93. Read More
March 24, 2022 New legislation seeks to close the mental health coverage gap Thanks to a new bill, some public service workers may soon receive the mental health coverage their insurers have denied. Read More
March 01, 2022 Another behavioral health victory as crisis-line workers join Oregon AFSCME Staff at a Portland crisis intervention center are the latest behavioral health workers to seek to affiliate with Oregon AFSCME. Read More
January 26, 2022 AFSCME-backed bill seeks to overcome the nation’s addiction crisis Congress should approve the CARE Act, an AFSCME-backed bill that will help the country overcome the addiction crisis. Read More
November 02, 2021 Labor harmony in place for behavioral health workers in Oregon’s Multnomah County Behavioral health workers in an Oregon county will be able to form a union without management interference – thanks to a labor harmony agreement. Read More
September 14, 2021 New Jersey behavioral health workers held Labor Day strike SERV behavioral health workers held a Labor Day strike. Read More
September 07, 2021 New Jersey behavioral health member discusses unionization challenges What are the challenges workers face in creating unions? Ask this New Jersey behavioral health worker. Read More
September 02, 2021 SERV workers authorize Labor Day strike Some behavioral health workers at SERV Centers of New Jersey in Mercer County are going on a strike for 24 hours on Labor Day. Read More
August 30, 2021 Empathy guides California nurse Scott Jones For California psychiatric nurse Scott Jones, empathy is the key to success. Read More
July 22, 2021 Saunders discusses organized labor’s role in workplace mental health President Lee Saunders joined a panel discussion on the role that organized labor plays in addressing workplace mental health. Read More
June 21, 2021 Anti-union campaign in Oregon shows why Congress must pass PRO Act The anti-union tactics by an Oregon behavioral health employer show why workers nationwide need the PRO Act. Read More
May 28, 2021 The union difference shines through in New Jersey behavioral health contract Nearly 250 behavioral health workers in New Jersey have a good reason to celebrate – they secured a strong new contract Read More
May 18, 2021 Nevada state workers build power by ratifying historic first contract Thousands of state workers in Nevada will have a contract for the first time ever – thanks to AFSCME members. Read More
May 12, 2021 AFSCME members raise awareness during Mental Health Awareness Month This Mental Health Awareness Month, let’s empower behavioral health workers to improve the quality of care they provide to clients with mental illnesses. Read More
April 22, 2021 Behavioral health worker in Pennsylvania is Never Quit Service Award winner Alicia Craig, a behavioral health worker in Pennsylvania, is the latest winner of AFSCME’s Never Quit Service Award. Read More
April 07, 2021 Report details broken promises of New Jersey behavioral health industry New Jersey’s top behavioral health providers have done well for themselves but have neglected their patients and employees, a new report finds. Read More
March 09, 2021 Future of New Jersey's behavioral health industry discussed at virtual town hall More behavioral health workers in New Jersey are expressing interest in building power at work through AFSCME’s United We Heal campaign. Read More