News

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 Lee Saunders congratulated Nicole Berner, a longtime labor lawyer and general counsel of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), on being 

In January 1993, Joann Mapp shared a powerful message on a conference call with newly elected President Bill Clinton. Mapp, a keypunch operator at the Philadelphia City Police Department and a member of AFSCME Local 1637 (District Council 33), was a single mother to 5-year-old twins.

DeSantis wants more than $700 million to provide 5% across the board pay increases for nearly 97,000 state workers. Hard to fill critical positions, like the Department of Children and Family Services Child Protective Services unit would see a 10% hike.  

Reggie Brady is a Senior Child Protector Investigator in Jacksonville. He said CPIs in his unit are working more than three times the recommended workload ( up to 40 families), and his office is losing investigators to private sector companies like Amazon.

The following is adapted from remarks delivered by President Saunders at the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor’s Martin Luther King Day Breakfast on January 14, 2023.

Union family, it’s a great honor to spend this special day with you, as we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., as we reflect on his sacrifice and recommit to his work.

One-time cash awards ranging from $500 to $4,000 for study beginning in the Fall of 2023 are available for union members, their spouses and dependent children accepted into an accredited college or university, community college or recognized technical or trade school. In addition to demonstrated academic ability, applicants submit essays describing their career goals, detailing their relationship with the labor movement, and explaining why they are deserving of a union scholarship.

While it is challenging to settle on just 10 news items to characterize 365 days of member activism, collective action, union organizing, legislative advocacy and political involvement, we hope a quick look back at these stories will help give us perspective, strength and wisdom to build power in 2023. 

March 12: Big pay hikes for state workers in state budget, but what about university and college employees?

A Training and Education Specialist at the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind, Eyvolle Pamphile was sworn onto the AFSCME Florida Executive Board on Saturday, December 11 in Orlando. She is also the President of Local 3025 in St. Augustine.

The oath was administered by Region 1 Director Torrence Johnson preceding the board's last meeting of 2022. Board members discussed organizing strategies and training, legislative advocacy for the 2023 session and communications vehicles for members.