March 06, 2025 Powered by her union, this dental hygienist thrives while working in a prison Marci Smith, a dental hygienist who has worked in Illinois prisons for almost 30 years. is the subject of our latest Public Safety Spotlight. Read More
February 25, 2025 Chicago History Museum employees form union with AFSCME Chicago History Museum workers, welcome to the AFSCME family. Read More
February 19, 2025 Curbing the corrections staffing crisis in Illinois Learn how AFSCME Council 31 members are helping solve the corrections staffing crisis in Illinois. Read More
December 16, 2024 Workers at another Illinois library organize with AFSCME Staff at another Illinois cultural institution are building power through AFSCME. Read More
November 07, 2024 Shedd Aquarium employees win union election despite management’s misinformation campaign Workers at a renowned Chicago aquarium have formed a union despite management resistance. Read More
October 08, 2024 AFSCME Council 31 report spotlights dangers of illegal drugs in Illinois’ prisons A new report by AFSCME Council 31 spotlights the spread of illegal drugs in Illinois prisons. Read More
August 20, 2024 Saunders at DNC: Kamala Harris will fight for ‘more freedom for working people’ At the Democratic National Convention, AFSCME President Saunders praised Kamala Harris’ pro-worker record. Read More
July 26, 2024 AFSCME corrections members protest unsafe conditions at Illinois facility Safety is a big worry for staff at the Menard Correctional Center in Illinois. Read More
May 23, 2024 We honor behavioral health workers during Mental Health Awareness Month Behavioral health workers deserve recognition, especially during Mental Health Awareness Month. Read More
May 03, 2024 Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium workers are forming a union with AFSCME Workers at a famed Chicago aquarium are forming a union through AFSCME Council 31. Read More
January 26, 2024 Never Quit Award winner teaches inmates to develop a green thumb Amy Coonce is a horticulture instructor at the minimum-security Robinson Correctional Center in Robinson, Illinois. Read More
December 04, 2023 Illinois members take the wheel on solving school bus driver shortage Learn how an Illinois local solved the problem of school bus driver shortages. Read More
November 13, 2023 Newberry Library employees win first contract a year after forming a union More than 60 workers at Chicago’s famed Newberry Library have negotiated their first contract a year after forming a union. Read More
September 26, 2023 Art Institute school and museum staff win first contract Members of the Art Institute of Chicago Workers United (AICWU/AFSCME) have won a first contract that includes wage increases and addresses critical workplace issues. Read More
September 19, 2023 St. Charles Public Library workers in Illinois win first contract Library workers in St. Charles, Illinois, won a first contract that ‘ticks all the boxes.’ Read More
August 02, 2023 Illinois state workers ratify robust new contract More than 30,000 Illinois state workers have ratified a robust new contract. Read More
June 21, 2023 Waukegan Public Library workers win stronger rights in first contract AFSCME members working at the Waukegan Public Library in the Chicago area are celebrating their first contract. Read More
June 15, 2023 Nature Museum workers win union election with AFSCME Workers at Chicago’s Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum have voted to form a union. Read More
June 02, 2023 For Illinois paramedic, a desire to fully serve his community is hampered by short-staffing Fully serving his community is Illinois paramedic Nick Fensom’s goal. But short-staffing is thwarting him from doing that. Read More
May 19, 2023 Workers at another Chicago institution are forming a union with AFSCME Workers at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago have decided to build power through AFSCME. Read More
April 18, 2023 Chicago City Council passes ordinance to support workers’ right to organize An AFSCME-backed ordinance that supports workers’ right to form unions is now law in Chicago. 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
March 28, 2023 Nature Museum employees in Illinois forming union with AFSCME Nearly 50 workers at the Chicago Academy of Sciences / Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum are forming a union through AFSCME Council 31. Read More
March 13, 2023 Field Museum employees win union with AFSCME AFSCME Council 31 welcomes workers at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago. Read More
March 02, 2023 Cultural workers nationwide are rising up to secure a voice on the job Momentum was strong for AFSCME’s Cultural Workers United Campaign in 2022. Read More
February 28, 2023 AFSCME cultural workers spotlight Black artists AFSCME cultural workers take to Instagram to spotlight Black artists. Read More
December 16, 2022 Cultural workers win at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago Chicago is the site of another cultural workers organizing victory. This time, it involves 600 non-tenure track faculty at the School of the Arts Institute of Chicago. Read More
November 04, 2022 Workers at Tacoma, Chicago museums highlight growing organizing momentum The Field Museum and the Tacoma Art Museum provide the latest examples of the organizing momentum in the cultural sector. Read More
September 19, 2022 Red Cross workers win 9% pay increase, retain strong health benefits in historic contract New Red Cross contract provides long-overdue raises and workplace safety improvements for front-line heroes. Read More
May 10, 2022 ISU employees ratify contract raising wages Support workers at Illinois State University have reason to be happy. They stood strong and won a robust new contract. Read More