AFSCME 65: Remote Day on the Hill
As with all aspects of our lives, the way our union organizes must change during the COVID-19 pandemic. One thing that never changes, whether in the workplace, in St. Paul, or Washington D.C., your union continues to organize and fight for working people.
Today was scheduled to be our annual Day on the Hill, where Council 65 members gather from all parts of the state to share their stories with Minnesota lawmakers. While we cannot gather together in person, there are still many opportunities to share our stories and lobby our leaders. Join your brothers and sister across Minnesota and call your state legislators and Congressperson to talk about the issues you face at work and the issues mentioned below.
Hospital, State, & Local Aid
Our Hospitals, States, and local governments are all stepping up to address this crisis. However, fighting COVID-19 is draining funds and unemployment levels threaten to reduce tax income meaning we can expect states and municipalities to need assistance from the Federal government.
This week Congress is expected to pass a 3rd relief bill without any assistance to hospitals or states. Republicans refuse to include local relief and GOP Leader McConnell said yesterday he would rather states go bankrupt than get federal aid. Such an extreme position puts all our communities at risk.
We must act now. Call your congressperson and tell them we must support Hospitals, States, and Local Government in any new relief bills.
Click here to find out how to call your Congressperson.
Pay Protection for Hourly School Employees
School workers have become one of the critical pieces in the states response to this crisis. While shifting to online learning, they are also providing hot meals for students in need, and childcare for our essential workers. Certain hourly workers have been left out of job protections and face damaging layoffs.
These workers rely on income earned during the school year to last through the summer break. Many will be unable to work summer jobs due to the pandemic and a difficult job market.
Senate GOP Leaders refuse to take up H.F. 4415 to protect these workers. Call Senate Education Finance & Policy Chair Carla Nelson and tell her we need to pass H.F. 4415 with Protections for Hourly workers: CLICK HERE TO EMAIL or call at: 651-296-4848
Lastly we ask members to complete the COVID-19 Workers Survey by the Minnesota AFL-CIO. The labor movement is fighting to make sure that working families are the focus of any state or federal legislation in response to this crisis. Please complete and share this survey so we can better understand how your family has been impacted by COVID-19. https://aflcio.mn/2VroDK7 |
This time is difficult for all of us. Whether you have lost loved ones, faced economic hardship, or are working on the frontlines, we will pull through as we always do by pulling together. Your union is working hard to represent you in your work place and at the capitol. We've compiled a list of helpful resources and information on our website at https://www.afscme65.org/covid-19-resources and follow our facebook page for important actions and updates: https://www.facebook.com/AFSCME65/
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