June 08, 2021 New York EMT slain in the line of duty honored with playground renaming To honor murdered AFSCME-represented EMT Yadira Arroyo, local officials have named a playground in Bronx, N.Y., after her. Read More
May 27, 2021 During pandemic, school nurse aide did ‘whatever was necessary’ to protect students, staff Kelly Landon is a licensed practical nurse aide in New York whose dedication to her students made her a winner of AFSCME’s Never Quit Service Award. Read More
May 17, 2021 Never Quit winner is Jamestown, N.Y., city worker who saved two from house fire Joe Pollaro, an equipment operator for the City of Jamestown, N.Y., won AFSCME’s Never Quit Service Award for saving two people in a burning building. Read More
April 27, 2021 ‘This is the first step in getting back to normal’ CSEA member Elizabeth Ramos met with Education Secretary Miguel Cardona to highlight the extraordinary work of school support personnel during the pandemic. Read More
April 12, 2021 NY paramedics make in-flight rescue AFSCME EMS workers are never off the clock. Not even when flying high above. Three New York EMS workers saved a passenger’s life in flight. Read More
April 01, 2021 DC 37 workers #GetVaccinated at Citi Field event More than DC 37 members got inoculated against COVID-19 at a “Vaccination Day” event in late March. Their union was key in getting them to go to the event. Read More
January 11, 2021 New York child protective services worker was ‘guiding light’ during pandemic CSEA member Valerie Martinez, a social caseworker outside New York City, is a recipient of AFSCME's Never Quit Service Award for her bravery in the face of COVID-19. Read More
December 14, 2020 Lucy Eddy shows compassion, love to those with developmental disabilities For those with developmental disabilities, Never Quit winner Lucy Eddy offers compassion, dignity. Read More
December 08, 2020 New York member, a school bus driver, dies following school bus crash We mourn the tragic loss of CSEA member Andy Sanchez, a school bus driver in New York state who died after a work-related crash. Read More
December 07, 2020 Western New Yorkers claim victory for retiree health benefits By banding together with one purpose, AFSCME members in Western New York were able to protect retiree health care – a testament to their solidarity. Read More
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. Read More
November 13, 2020 NYC public employees reach agreement with the city, avoiding layoffs Thousands of New York City public service workers will be spared layoffs through at least June 2021 under an agreement DC 37 struck with Mayor Bill de Blasio. Read More
October 28, 2020 Syracuse, N.Y., unions avoid layoffs, negotiate across-the-board furloughs instead To avoid layoffs and make furloughs more equitable for workers, the City of Syracuse, N.Y., and unions came up with a compromise plan to cope with COVID-19-related revenue losses. Read More
October 15, 2020 As pandemic ravaged New York City region, this morgue worker refused to quit Mike Vikara, a forensic pathologist assistant for the Nassau County, New York, Medical Examiner, is a winner of AFSCME's Never Quit Service Award. Read More
October 05, 2020 Make your plan to vote today The most important election of our lifetime is just around the corner. Have you made your plan to vote yet? Read More
September 15, 2020 Facing layoffs of 22,000 workers, New York City workers call on the state to take action DC 37 workers are fighting proposed layoffs stemming from a budget shortfall caused by the pandemic. Read More
September 08, 2020 Rochester school employees rally against layoffs among essential workers The school district cited the financial strain of the pandemic and a lack of federal stimulus funding as the reason for the proposed cuts. Read More
July 21, 2020 From dial-up to digital, CSEA’s Joe Acampora led the way This Never Quit Service Award winner helped lead a New York community from digital dark ages to the high-tech world of today. 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
May 22, 2020 ‘Public service workers are … crucial to fighting this pandemic’ Meet a New York City respiratory therapist who was sickened by COVID-19. 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 20, 2020 To Avoid Economic Depression, Senate Must Pass Federal Support for Local Services Conservative economists and liberal politicians alike agree that to avoid a protracted national economic catastrophe, the federal government must do more to help states, cities and towns. Read More
May 18, 2020 During National EMS Week, Thank First Responders with More Than Words This year, National EMS Week comes amid a national emergency of nearly unprecedented proportions. Just as EMS professionals across the country are rising to the challenge, so must the U.S. Senate. 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
April 03, 2020 Desperate for Relief, Under Unprecedented Strain, FDNY EMS Continues to Serve AFSCME EMS workers in New York City are exhausted but continue to serve. Read More
April 01, 2020 Their Lives Are On The Line. Yet, ‘Public Service Workers Still Answer the Call’ What’s it like to be on the front lines as a health care worker? AFSCME President Lee Saunders and three AFSCME International vice presidents provide details. Read More
March 25, 2020 NY Paramedic: ‘Our Most Immediate Concern is a Shortage of Equipment’ Getting protective equipment is the top priority for a New York paramedic fighting the coronavirus. Read More
March 25, 2020 Corrections, EMS Workers Stress Need for Resources in COVID-19 Fight Corrections and EMS workers demand help from the federal government. Read More
March 24, 2020 School Workers Persevere Through Mixed Signals, Uncertainty CSEA school staff navigate shifting roles during the coronavirus pandemic, yet remain determined to serve. Read More
March 20, 2020 Caring for Kids While Parents Work During the Pandemic is a Valuable Public Service When the parents must work during the pandemic, the value of day care providers like Ronora James becomes amply clear. Read More