News

This is our blog and press releases.

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

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.

Rochester school employees rally against layoffs among essential workers

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – After weeks of fighting for their essential jobs, hundreds of BENTE/AFSCME Local 2419 (Council 66) members held a press conference and staged a rally urging the Rochester City School District (RCSD) Board of Education and superintendent to vote “no” on proposed cuts that would result in over 200 layoffs.

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.

AFSCME commits to landmark policing and criminal justice reforms

Veterans will be disproportionately affected if the Senate fails to provide state, local aid

AFSCME members Dawn Bundick of Alaska and Chris Woloscuk of Florida are veterans and public service employees – two facts that make them especially vulnerable as the COVID-19 pandemic ravages the U.S. economy.

If Congress fails to provide at least $1 trillion in federal aid to struggling states, cities, towns and school districts, millions of state and local government workers could be shown the door as their employers struggle to cope with plummeting tax revenues.

California’s child care providers win historic union election in landslide

LOS ANGELES – In a union election victory 17 years in the making, child care providers across California have voted overwhelmingly to be represented by their union, Child Care Providers United (CCPU). A joint effort of UDW/AFSCME Local 3930 and SEIU Locals 99 and 521, 97% of voters chose to join CCPU.

Pelosi joins AFSCME in calling for state, local aid amid soaring virus cases

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday joined AFSCME President Lee Saunders and front-line public service workers from states experiencing surges in coronavirus cases to urge the Senate to approve at least $1 trillion in flexible aid to states, cities and towns.

Freedom Foundation, yet again, shows it values politics over lives.

Here we go again. 

The right-wing Freedom Foundation filed a lawsuit this month in Washington state’s Thurston County Superior Court seeking to overturn the county’s May 27 “face mask directive.” The order was issued to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus – and help residents and businesses get back to work safely, while also protecting their families and communities.