AFL-CIO
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
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
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Workers at Pushkin Industries Secure First Union Contract
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Workers at Pushkin Industries Secure First Union Contract
Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.
The 12 Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) members have secured their first collective bargaining agreement with podcast company Pushkin Industries. The contract was approved unanimously and establishes a minimum salary of $73,000, guaranteed raises, and guaranteed IP negotiation for shows where unit members write, research and host their own ideas; provides artificial intelligence protections; enshrines Quiet Weeks in August and December; provides 16 weeks fully paid parental leave, a minimum 12 weeks of severance, and a laptop; establishes protections for remote and hybrid employees; reports on the company’s diversity, equity and inclusion work; and establishes Just Cause among other provisions.“We’re proud of this contract, and we think it reflects the strength of the community we’ve built at Pushkin and is an essential part of the movement to build better standards across the industry,” the union said. “We’re grateful to leadership for working with us throughout this process and for investing in our future together. The unit is looking forward to it!”Pushkin was co-founded by Jacob Weisberg and Malcolm Gladwell and produces podcasts like “Revisionist History,” “Deep Cover,” “Broken Record,” “Against the Rules with Michael Lewis,” and “Where’s Dia?”
Kenneth Quinnell
Mon, 03/17/2025 – 10:01
Get to Know AFL-CIO’s Affiliates: American Guild of Musical Artists
Get to Know AFL-CIO’s Affiliates: American Guild of Musical Artists
This is the first post in our series that will take a deeper look at each of our affiliates again. The series will run weekly until we’ve covered all 63 of our affiliates. First up is the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA).
Mission: AGMA is committed to protecting and advancing the employment and artistic rights of its members. Through the negotiation and enforcement of approximately 70 collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) nationwide, AGMA ensures fair wages, safe working conditions and a higher quality of life for the artists who bring the performing arts to life. Current Leadership of Union: Ned Hanlon serves as president. The other officers are J Austin Bitner (secretary-treasurer), Brian August (staging staff vice president [VP]), Helena Brown (choristers, actors and staff performers VP), Antuan Byers (dancers VP), Andrew Stenson (soloists VP), Andres Garcia (Eastern and Southern Region VP), Katharine Goeldner (New York Region VP), Cameo Humes (Midwestern Region VP) and Jennifer Wallace (Western Region VP).Current Number of Members: More than 6,500.Members Work as: Singers; dancers; staging staff; and faculty, staff and instructors in opera, ballet/contemporary dance and choral performance across the United States. Industries Represented: Opera, ballet and contemporary dance, and concert choral performance.History: AGMA formed in 1936 as an organization of solo musical artists. In August 1937, the union was granted a charter from the Actors and Artistes (4As) to cover the fields of grand opera, concert and recital. AGMA pursued a campaign to organize artists throughout the country, and the first CBA that the union successfully negotiated that fall was with the Association of California Symphony Orchestras. Today, the union, led by the AGMA Board of Governors and supported by AGMA’s professional staff, negotiates and enforces more than 70 CBAs throughout the country and continues to set industry standards, even for nonunionized companies.Current Campaigns and Community Efforts: AGMA actively supports its members through a variety of initiatives and resources. The union maintains an up-to-date list of auditions relevant to members, provides visa consultation services and offers contract enforcement and negotiation support. AGMA runs several member-led caucuses, including the AGMA Black Caucus, Opera and Concert Choristers Caucus, and Staging Staff Caucus, fostering community and advocacy within the union. The AGMA Relief Fund provides critical financial assistance to members in need. The union also offers educational webinars and a monthly newsletter and enables access to Union Plus and the Entertainment Community Fund resources. Additionally, the union now sells union-branded merchandise to promote solidarity and awareness. AGMA continues to mobilize around key labor issues, including fair wages, arts funding, workplace protections and organizing efforts in the performing arts.Learn more: Website, Instagram, Bluesky, Facebook, X.
Kenneth Quinnell
Mon, 03/17/2025 – 09:40
Women’s History Month Profiles: Julie Stein
Women’s History Month Profiles: Julie Stein
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 Julie Stein of the United Steelworkers (USW).
Julie Stein began her career in 1984 as a laborer at the Appleton Coated paper mill in Combined Locks, Wisconsin. As a member of USW Local 2-144, she served in various elected positions. In 2006, Stein came to work for the USW and was actively involved in the Women of Steel and political programs. Today, Stein serves as director of the Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees (SOAR) program, helping USW members engage in lifelong activism.
Kenneth Quinnell
Sun, 03/16/2025 – 09:44
Tags:
Women’s History Month
Women’s History Month Profiles: Michelle Christen
Women’s History Month Profiles: Michelle Christen
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 Michelle Christen of the Utility Workers (UWUA).
Michelle Christen serves as the second vice president of UWUA Local 601, which represents approximately 1,200 customer service workers at Public Service Electric & Gas in New Jersey. She has been instrumental in negotiating labor contracts, including an agreement ratified in April 2023 that secured a 13.64% wage increase over four years and recognized a bilingual call center position with additional compensation. In 2022, she collaborated with Local 601 members to organize fundraisers for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, contributing to cancer research and support.
Kenneth Quinnell
Sat, 03/15/2025 – 09:46
Tags:
Women’s History Month
The Department of People Who Work for a Living: The Working People Weekly List
The Department of People Who Work for a Living: The Working People Weekly List
Every week, we bring you a roundup of the top news and commentary about issues and events important to working families. Here’s the latest edition of the Working People Weekly List.
AFL-CIO Rolls Out Week of Mass Action vs. Trump’s War on Workers: “Taking the fight against the GOP Trump regime’s war on workers from Congress and the courts but also to the streets, the AFL-CIO’s new Department of People Who Work for a Living—a title satirizing Elon Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency—plans a week of actions nationwide from March 17 to 23, 2025. The events will include town halls; mass mobilization to descend on congressional offices (especially those of its ruling Republicans); a ‘democracy board,’ where people can share stories of the personal impact of the Musk-Trump carnage; and flooding Capitol Hill with calls and e-mails.”Trump Administration Must Rehire Thousands of Fired Workers, Judge Rules: “A federal judge on Thursday ordered six federal agencies to rehire thousands of workers with probationary status who had been fired as part of President Trump’s government-gutting initiative. Ruling from the bench, Judge William J. Alsup of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California went further than he had previously, finding that the Trump administration’s firing of probationary workers had essentially been done unlawfully and by fiat through the Office of Personnel Management, the government’s human resources arm. He directed the Departments of the Treasury, Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Defense, Energy and the Interior to comply with his order and offer to reinstate any employees who were improperly terminated. His order stemmed from a lawsuit brought by employee unions who challenged the legality of the mass firings.”Second Federal Judge Orders Temporary Reinstatement of Thousands of Probationary Employees Fired by the Trump Administration: “A second federal judge ruled Thursday that thousands of probationary employees laid off en masse by the Trump administration must be temporarily reinstated to their jobs. The new temporary restraining order from Senior Judge James Bredar, an Obama appointee, covers 18 agencies and will last two weeks, as a challenge to the terminations from Democratic state attorneys general moves forward.”More than 1,000 March in D.C. Against Possible Health Care Cuts: “According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, the House Republicans’ budget goals can’t be reached without cuts to Medicaid. Millions of Americans rely on Medicaid, including children, older adults, people with disabilities and low-income adults. ‘Why would we do that to folks? That is cruel,’ Jackson-Hill said. ‘It’s evil. It’s hatefulness at a scale I have never seen before. And it’s actually our government doing it to us.’ Analilia Mejia is co-executive director for the Center for Popular Democracy, which organized the demonstration. ‘Taking away those resources will not happen silently, and we will not stand for it,’ Mejia said. ‘We are going to push through this budget reconciliation.’ She was impressed with the turnout, which included members of the nation’s largest nurses union, National Nurses United (NNU).”Whole Foods Workers Push Forward on Union Effort: “That unionization effort by workers at the Amazon-owned grocery chain will receive a hearing from a regional National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) panel on Wednesday, which is likely to be appealed by the company and to head to the full NLRB later this year. ‘I was on the right side of the law,’ United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1776 President Wendell Young IV told Supermarket News.”Weingarten (President of the American Federation of Teachers [AFT]: Trump’s Education Department Crusade Is a Cowardly Betrayal of America’s Children: “Many of America’s global competitors—and adversaries—are no doubt cheering President Donald Trump’s plan to dismantle the Department of Education. They know that countries who outeducate the rest of the world will outcompete it. And now brand-new Education Secretary Linda McMahon and Trump want to neuter, if not completely shutter, the entity that helps give all children in the United States access to the great public school education they deserve. On Tuesday, the department announced plans to cut nearly half its staff. McMahon says these catastrophic firings, alongside hundreds of so-called buyouts, are about ‘efficiency, accountability and ensuring that resources are directed where they matter most: to students, parents and teachers.’ The reality is far more cowardly.”Labor Board Member Returns to Work Six Weeks After Trump Fired Her: “The first Black woman to chair the NLRB returned to the agency Monday with a hero’s welcome after a judge ruled the previous week that she was illegally fired. Dozens of staff members cheered, clapped and waved signs that read, ‘Welcome back, Gwynne,’ as Wilcox returned to the independent federal agency charged with protecting employee rights.”Union Members Ratify First-Ever Contract at Bloomington Barnes & Noble: “After about a year of contract negotiations, Barnes & Noble workers in Bloomington voted Saturday to ratify their first-ever contract. Workers at the Empire Street store join just three others in the country as members of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union [RWDSU] with ratified contracts—all of which are based in New York City—and voted to approve their first contracts within the past week. ‘Workers at Barnes & Noble should be incredibly proud of what they’ve accomplished together in these historic first union contracts from Illinois to New York,’ said RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum in a press release. ‘United in their fight for increased safety in their stores, it was their voices across the table that won. Now, we can finally say their longtime safety needs are codified in union contracts, which also include industry standard–setting wage increases, union health care and more.’”Las Vegas Strip Reaches Full Union Coverage as Fontainebleau Signs First Labor Deal: “The Culinary and Bartenders Unions have reached a historic agreement with Fontainebleau Las Vegas, marking the first time in the 90-year history of the Las Vegas Strip that all casino resorts are 100% unionized. This milestone results from a yearlong process and the dedicated efforts of thousands of hospitality workers.”Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act Reintroduced: Bipartisan Efforts to Strengthen Union Power and Protect Workers: “AFL-CIO President and Oregonian Liz Shuler also voiced support for the act, saying, ‘Americans believe in the power of unions, and tens of millions of working people would become union members tomorrow if they could. But American labor law is broken, weighted on the side of the bosses and against the workers.’ She urged elected leaders to advance the legislation to allow workers to ‘stand together and build better lives for themselves and their families.’”
Kenneth Quinnell
Fri, 03/14/2025 – 10:43
Women’s History Month Profiles: Christina McCafferty
Women’s History Month Profiles: Christina McCafferty
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 Christina McCafferty of the Electrical Workers (IBEW).
Christina McCafferty is an exemplary model of service through her work as a supervisor, steward, elected treasurer in the Electrical Workers Minority Caucus Chapter 640 and elected officer of IBEW Local 640.
Kenneth Quinnell
Fri, 03/14/2025 – 09:46
Tags:
Women’s History Month
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Unions File Lawsuit Against DHS to Stop the Illegal Termination of TSO Contract
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Unions File Lawsuit Against DHS to Stop the Illegal Termination of TSO Contract
Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.
AFGE, the Communications Workers of America (CWA) and the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) filed a lawsuit Thursday over the illegal and unilateral termination of a negotiated collective bargaining agreement that covers approximately 47,000 transportation security officers (TSOs).“This attack on our members is not just an attack on AFGE or transportation security officers. It’s an assault on the rights of every American worker,” said AFGE National President Everett Kelley in a press release. “Tearing up a legally negotiated union contract is unconstitutional, retaliatory and will make the [Transportation Security Administration] experience worse for American travelers.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Fri, 03/14/2025 – 09:44
Women’s History Month Profiles: Sandy Laemmel
Women’s History Month Profiles: Sandy Laemmel
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
Sandy Laemmel’s journey with NALC spans 50 years, starting when she was a teenager running an errand to buy stamps at the post office, where a “We’re Hiring” sign changed her life. From letter carrier to steward and president of Detroit Branch 1, she has dedicated herself to helping others. Since 2022, she’s served as a national trustee. “The common thread is people,” she said. She’s been the person others relied on, but “they’ve given me more in return. It’s truly better to give than receive. From teenager to trustee, I’ve been blessed in ways words can’t express.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Thu, 03/13/2025 – 10:47
Tags:
Women’s History Month