Wells Fargo on Postal Sell Off: Their Blueprint
https://d1ocufyfjsc14h.cloudfront.net/sites/default/files/wells-fargo-usps-privatization-a-framework.pdfTheir Call
The US Postal Service is back in the headlines and with Trump 2.0’s emphasis on cost cuts, we believe Postal reform may become a focus.
Project Kyono honors the life and legacy of a late San Francisco fire fighter
As he faced Stage 4 lung cancer, retired San Francisco, CA Local 798 member Brian Kyono used his final months to protect future generations from occupational cancer.
Read More....Get to Know AFL-CIO’s Affiliates: AFSCME
Get to Know AFL-CIO’s Affiliates: AFSCME
This is the next post in our series that will take a deeper look at each of our affiliates. The series will run weekly until we’ve covered all 63 of our affiliates. Next up is AFSCME.
Name of Union: American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)Mission: AFSCME members provide the vital services that make America happen. They work to ensure dignity and security for public service workers across the country. By organizing new members, they build their capacity to strengthen public services, improve working conditions, negotiate decent wages and safeguard pensions and health benefits.Current Leadership of Union: Lee Saunders was elected AFSCME president in 2012, the first African American to hold that position, after previously serving as secretary-treasurer and in many other roles with AFSCME since 1978. He comes from a union family, raised in Cleveland as the son of a city bus driver and a community organizer. Elissa McBride serves as secretary-treasurer, and AFSCME has 34 international vice presidents serving different regions.Members Work As: With hundreds of job categories, members work as/in the fields of attorneys and judiciary employees, behavioral health, corrections, early childhood education, emergency services, environmental stewardship, health care workers, higher education, home care, housing, human services, K-12 schools, law enforcement, library workers, museums and cultural institutions, nurses, probation and parole, public administration, public works, and transportation.Industries Represented: States, cities, counties and other local governments, as well as the federal government and private employers performing public services.History: During the depths of the Great Depression, a group of state employees in Madison, Wisconsin, formed what would later become the Wisconsin State Employees Union/Council 24 in an effort to successfully defend the state’s civil service system and stand up to political cronyism. Four years later, in 1936, the American Federation of Labor granted a charter for AFSCME, which united the Wisconsin group with numerous others that had formed across the country after the success in Madison.At the end of 1936, the union had 10,000 members. Growth was difficult at first, but by 1946, the union had grown to 73,000 members. The AFL-CIO merger brought AFSCME another 40,000 members.In the 1960s, during the presidency of Jerry Wurf, AFSCME was active in the struggle for racial justice. The 1968 strike of AFSCME sanitation workers in Memphis, Tennessee, was a signature moment in civil rights and labor rights history. It was in Memphis, in support of the sanitation workers’ struggle, that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968.AFSCME continued to grow during the 1970s and 1980s, with a focus on bringing together independent associations of public employees in an effort to harness the collective power of so many voices. Almost 60 associations, representing 450,000 people, joined AFSCME by affiliation or merger, pushing total membership past the 1 million mark.AFSCME’s growth across the country gave the union a more powerful voice when it came to fighting injustice. In September 1981, AFSCME’s 60,000-member delegation, the largest from any single union, led the march at the AFL-CIO’s Solidarity Day, a massive demonstration in Washington, D.C., demanding fair treatment for workers. That same year in San Jose, California, AFSCME Local 101 staged the first strike in the nation’s history over the issue of pay equity for women. The action attracted national media attention and helped spark the pay equity movement.For decades, corporations, billionaires and their allies have engaged in a coordinated and well-financed effort to weaken the power of public-sector unions like AFSCME. Last year, in a case called Janus v. AFSCME Council 31, the most business-friendly Supreme Court in history ruled in favor of anti-worker forces, overturning decades of precedent to make the entire public sector so-called right to work. Many pundits predicted this would be a death blow. But because of the work put in by AFSCME, together with other public-sector unions and the AFL-CIO, AFSCME has emerged in the strongest possible position. No politician or judicial decision can contain the collective power of working people. More than 300,000 fee payers converted to AFSCME members since early 2014; and since the Janus ruling, seven times more people have joined AFSCME than have chosen to drop.Current Campaigns: AFSCME People works to elect candidates that will fight for AFSCME members and priorities. AFSCME’s Department of Federal Government Affairs reports on the top federal legislative stories. Staff the Front Lies tackles critical staffing shortages throughout the country. The Student Debt Map tracks student loan forgiveness.Community Efforts: From credit cards to credit counseling, AFSCME Advantage offers union members and their families a wide array of financial products to meet their everyday needs. AFSCME awards several scholarships for members and their families. AFSCME provides members with training and education. AFSCME publishes a blog. NEXT WAVE empowers and unites young AFSCME members from across the union, in the fight for dignity, respect, and economic prosperity. AFSCME sells merchandise in their online store.Learn More: Website, Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube
Kenneth Quinnell
Mon, 03/17/2025 – 14:22
IAM Healthcare Members Deliver More than 1,200 Signatures on Safe Staffing Petition, Prepare to Picket Ohio State Executives
IAM Healthcare Bargaining Committee Member Kelly Williams read a powerful message from her coworkers in the executive office of The Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center. Her statement listed the reasons safe staffing levels are critical to patient care at OSU hospitals and called for OSU executives to recruit and retain more front-line healthcare staff.
The post IAM Healthcare Members Deliver More than 1,200 Signatures on Safe Staffing Petition, Prepare to Picket Ohio State Executives appeared first on IAMAW.
DATTCO Teamsters Unanimously Ratify First Contract
(BURRILLVILLE, R.I.) – Nearly 50 school bus drivers, monitors, and aides represented by Teamsters Local 251 unanimously ratified their first agreement with DATTCO, a contractor for the Burrillville School District. The lucrative contract, which includes a substantial pay increase and boost in benefits, was ratified 10 months after DATTCO workers voted to join Local 251. […]
Read More....2025 Human Relations Conference
Human Relations Conference: Strength in Diversity, Empowering Every Voice.
Register for the upcoming Human Relations Education Assembly. This will be a comprehensive training designed to equip stewards and APWU members with knowledge specifically focusing on: OWCP and ECOMP filing, EEOC and the steward’s role in the alternative dispute process, Veterans Rights and Benefits, and EAP and the local Advisory Committee.
The assembly will also offer a variety of workshops designed to engage participants and address the APWU’s role in advocating for human rights and community civil engagement in this changing political landscape.
June 12, 2025 – 5:00PM to June 15, 2025 – 8:00PMHilton Americas, Houston TX1600 Lamar St, Houston, TX 77010
NationalNoNo2025-06-12 00:00:00https://apwumembers.apwu.org/APWUMembers/Events/Event_Display.aspx?EventKey=HREL25Registration is now closed.
Strength in Diversity, Empowering Every VoiceGeneral sessions will include lecture and panel discussions on:
OWCP
Veteran’s rights and benefits
EAP
EEOC
Civil Rights and Engagement
the Postal Employees Relief Fund
Workshops options to look forward to: Incorporating EAP into the workplace and the fabric of the local; How to get members engaged in education; Recognizing forms of discrimination in a toxic workplace; OWCP policy changes; How to Hazzard map; Freedoms we strive for; Project 2025 and implications towards Organizing and Union Activity.
When registering, you will select one (1) workshop during each timeframe below:
Sat., June 14
*1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
1. OWCP
2. Local/State Veteran’s Councils
3. Civil Freedoms
*2:30 pm – 3:30 pm
1. OWCP
2. Local/State Veteran’s Councils
3. Civil Freedoms
Sun., June 15
*1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
1. EEOC
2. EAP
3. Project 2025
*2:30 pm – 3:30 pm
1. EEOC
2. EAP
3. Project 2025
Please note that the above agenda is subject to change.
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2025 Human Relations Assembly
Human Relations Conference: Strength in Diversity, Empowering Every Voice.
Click to see the flyer. | Click here for details about the baseball game.
Register for the upcoming Human Relations Education Assembly. This will be a comprehensive training designed to equip stewards and APWU members with knowledge specifically focusing on: OWCP and ECOMP filing, EEOC and the steward’s role in the alternative dispute process, Veterans Rights and Benefits, and EAP and the local Advisory Committee.
The assembly will also offer a variety of workshops designed to engage participants and address the APWU’s role in advocating for human rights and community civil engagement in this changing political landscape.
Human Relations Conference
Strength in Diversity, Empowering Every Voice
Below are details regarding the upcoming Human Relations Conference, as well as helpful travel information. Register and make your hotel reservations early in order to ensure your placement in the conference.
Please click here for a link to the conference’s agenda.
*For travel purposes, please count on classes going until 5:00 pm on Sunday, June 15, 2025.
If you have any questions concerning the conferences, please contact Daleo Freeman, Human Relations Director, at dfreeman@apwu.org.
Houston, TX Dates:
· Arrival: Thursday, June 12, 2025
· Conference: Friday, June 13 – Sunday, June 15, 2025
· Departure: Monday, June 16, 2025
Registration
Early Registration: Before May 16, 2025 – $125
Late Registration: May 17, 2025 or after – $150
Location: Hilton Americas Houston 1600 Lamar St Houston, TX 7701
Hotel Rate: $199.00/night plus $ plus taxes *Cut-off date to make reservations is Thursday, May 22, 2025. Reservations can be made online at https://book.passkey.com/go/APWU2025
Baseball Game: The Houston Astros will host the Minnesota Twins on Friday, June 13, 2025, at 7:10 pm CT. Tickets can be purchased for $57 each and will be in Section 332. To purchase tickets, please use this link: https://fevo-enterprise.com/event/Americanpostal26
Additional Hotel Information: All reservations are guaranteed with a major credit card number and one night’s deposit. Guaranteed reservations will be held for the first night. In the event of a no-show, all consecutive room nights under the same reservation will be cancelled. The hotel allows individuals to cancel their room reservation without penalty up to seventy-two (72) hours prior to their scheduled arrival date. If a guest who has requested a room within the room block checks out prior to the guest’s reserved checkout date, the hotel will add an early checkout fee (not to exceed 50% of the group rate) to that guest’s individual account. Guests wishing to avoid an early checkout fee should advise the hotel at or before check-in of any change in planned length of stay. Paying by Check: · Contact Hannah Decker via email at hdecker@apwu.org for additional information.
The following topics will be covered during the Human Relations Conference.
OWCP
Veteran’s Rights & Benefits
Runaway Inequality
Local/State Veteran’s Councils
Civil Freedoms
EEOC
EAP
Project 2025
Airports
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) – 18 miles
William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) – 10 miles
Agenda & Registration Information:
*Information above is subject to change. Please check the marquee in the hotel for the most up to date information.
Please note breakfast and lunch will provided for registered members on Friday, June 13 through Sunday, June 15. There will also be a dinner for registered members on Sunday, June 15.
June 12, 2025 – 5:00PM to June 15, 2025 – 8:00PMHilton Americas, Houston TX1600 Lamar St, Houston, TX 77010
Reservations can be made online at https://book.passkey.com/go/APWU2025
Please click here for a link to the conference’s agenda.
NationalNoNo2025-06-12 00:00:00https://apwumembers.apwu.org/APWUMembers/Events/Event_Display.aspx?EventKey=HREL25Registration is now closed.
Strength in Diversity, Empowering Every Voice00
Great Plains Summer School
Intense training for stewards/officers on preparing grievances that are 100% arbitration ready. This will involve live case files and APWU Search. All attendees must have access to APWU Search. Only Union activists that have been approved by their local/state presidents AND NBAs will be able to attend this training.
July 20, 2025 – 3:30PM to July 25, 2025 – 3:00PMUniversity of Nebraska Omaha 6510 Pine Street
Omaha, NE 68106
NationalNoNo2025-05-09 00:00:00https://d1ocufyfjsc14h.cloudfront.net/sites/default/files/great_plains_flyer2025.pdfThe registration for this event has closed.
Basic and Intermediate Steward TrainingNon-refundable registration of $800 includes Lodging, Materials, and Meals. Check in begins at 3:30pm on July 20, 2025. Late regristration fee is $850, space permitting.
For More Information Contact NBA Ashley Cargill
Phone: (405) 378-0391
Email: acargill@apwu.org
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Great Plains Summer School Registration
https://d1ocufyfjsc14h.cloudfront.net/sites/default/files/great_plains_flyer2025.pdfGreat Plains Summer School Registration
Read More....Women’s History Month Profiles: Sandra Parker-Murray
Women’s History Month Profiles: Sandra Parker-Murray
For Women’s History Month, we’re taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently active making women’s history across the labor movement. Check back daily for a new profile and meet some of the people working to improve not only their community, but also to improve conditions for working people across the country. Today’s profile is Sandra Parker-Murray of the Communications Workers of America (CWA).
Sandra Parker-Murray is the secretary-treasurer for CWA Local 7777 in Denver. She is a fierce organizer and political advocate. She brings her years of experience as a front-line telecommunications worker and delivery driver into her work, ensuring that workers’ voices do not get lost. She is active in Colorado Independent Drivers United, part of CWA Local 7777 focused on building power for drivers in rideshare, delivery, taxi and limousine services. She can often be found advocating at the Colorado State Capitol.
Kenneth Quinnell
Mon, 03/17/2025 – 10:01
Tags:
Women’s History Month