Across the country, states, cities and towns are facing massive staffing shortages. Public service workers are on the job around the clock, caring for our communities and responding to emergencies. But they need help.
Through important legislation like the American Rescue Plan, the Biden Administration and the pro-worker majority in Congress provided direct relief to working families and secured historic investments for our communities that helped to stop the bleeding, close budget holes, and keep essential workers on the job.
But this legislation was only the first step on our path to recovery.
Pandemic job cuts and hiring freezes slashed the public service workforce. Today, the public service is still hundreds of thousands of jobs short from pre-pandemic levels. States, cities, and towns are not hiring fast enough to fill the lost jobs, which is putting a strain on the everyday heroes who keep our communities running.
To address this crisis, AFSCME members are organizing together to Staff the Front Lines — investing in our essential workers and recruiting qualified and passionate professionals to work in public service.