News

Biden forgives student loans for an additional 78,000 public service workers

AFSCME President Lee Saunders praised the White House’s announcement Thursday that the Biden administration will forgive student loans for an additional 78,000 borrowers — including many AFSCME mem

AFSCME president urges swift Senate action on COVID-19 relief bill

AFSCME President Lee Saunders praised the House of Representatives for passing the American Rescue Plan on Saturday and urged the Senate to follow suit as soon as possible.

AFSCME’s free bachelor’s degree program is here to stay

There is good news for AFSCME members looking to pursue higher education. AFSCME Free College has made its bachelor’s degree completion program a permanent benefit.

That means that AFSCME members and their families can earn a bachelor’s degree for free, making an even wider choice of career options a possibility for more people.

New leaders make new push to raise the federal minimum wage

Here’s a sure sign of new leadership in Washington. There’s a renewed push to increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour, an idea that went nowhere when the Trump administration and anti-worker members of Congress were in power.

AFSCME retiree Sue Conard calls on Congress to fund the front lines

The coronavirus pandemic won’t be controlled until states, cities, towns and schools – and particularly health departments – have the funding they need from the federal government, says AFSCME Retiree Sue Conard.

Conard should know. She spent 24 years as a public health nurse serving Wisconsin’s La Crosse County. One of her many areas of expertise? Immunization.

U.S. Conference on Mayors calls on Congress to go big on funding the front lines

The U.S. Conference of Mayors has sent a letter to Congress that echoes what AFSCME has been saying for months: It’s long past time to robustly fund the front lines.

Walz Budget Focuses on Minnesotan's Most Impacted by Pandemic

AFSCME Council 65 statement on Governor Walz’s proposed state budget:

Governor Walz’s budget plan lays out a strong path to recovery for Minnesota, focusing on those hit hardest by this pandemic and the economic fallout.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, corporations and the richest have watched their wealth soar while working Minnesotans face layoffs, quarantine without pay, unsafe working conditions, and rising costs.

In first days as president, Biden shows bold leadership

In his first days on the job, President Joe Biden has taken swift executive action to protect and empower public service workers, strengthen public services and help working people. On his first day alone, he signed 17 executive orders, memorandums and proclamations that showed the kind of bold leadership our country needs now.

AFSCME 65 Leadership: We Must Have Accountability

Yesterday’s attack on our country, and our people was the culmination of years of divisive rhetoric, misinformation, and hate from Republican leaders at all levels of our government.  The Republican refusal to accept the will of American People is directly responsible for today’s militant attack on the United States Capitol as well as other attacks on our democracy, our government, and dedicated public employees. A record number of voters have chosen Joe Biden and Kamala Harris to be our next President and Vice-President, the people have s