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

2020 Member Award Winners

2020 AWARD WINNERS

AFSCME Council 65 Director's Address to the 2020 Convention

This last year has been a difficult one.  Council 65 and many of our locals have experienced leadership changes and, as always, we see some staffing changes as people move on for other opportunities or retire.  We have been working hard to ensure your Locals have all the tools and resources that they need to represent you and your brothers & sisters thru grievances and contract negotiations.  These past months have thrown us one curveball after another, forcing us all to navigate some unprecedented times.  The Coronavirus pandemic has taught us a few things.  First and foremost, how to

Make your plan to vote today

If there’s one thing the 2020 election has in spades, it’s choices – and not just the choices between Donald Trump and Joe Biden, Mike Pence and Kamala Harris, and choices up and down the ballot. In a year when our jobs, our families, and every aspect of our lives have felt the impact of a pandemic, there are lots of ways to make your voice heard at the polls. 

The Choice for Working People is Joe Biden

There are countless reasons against voting for Donald Trump in November. But this election isn’t just about Donald Trump. AFSCME President Lee Saunders explains why working people should cast their ballots for Joe Biden for president and Kamala Harris for vice president:

Justice Ginsburg an American Hero.

Today the labor movement in this country and across the world mourns the loss of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. From her early days as an advocate and attorney, to her 27 years as Associate Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court, Justice Ginsburg has been a steadfast ally for working families in America.  Through her opinions and dissents, she showed a fierce commitment to the rights and the plights of everyday Americans. Like many public employees, she was driven by a desire to serve.

COVID-19 deaths lower in unionized nursing homes

Nursing homes have been especially hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 40% of all COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. have been linked to nursing homes. But according to a recent study, one factor that determines how fatal a COVID-19 outbreak will be is whether that nursing home is unionized.

This November, preserve the legacy of speaking up

Throughout my son’s long career at AFSCME, there have been countless times when I’ve seen Lee proudly wearing an AFSCME T-shirt. Often, these T-shirts feature slogans like “Rise Up” and “Never Quit.”

To Lee, these are much more than just slogans. They’re principles that guide him as president of AFSCME. As his mom, the meaning behind these phrases evoke a long and powerful legacy within our family.

Labor unions’ approval is highest in 17 years because unions stand with working families

Public approval of labor unions is at its highest level in 17 years, with nearly two out of three Americans (65%) expressing support of unions, according to the latest Gallup poll.