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

Working Americans Step Up and Win Big in 2018 Midterms

The best spokespeople for anyone running for elected office are everyday Americans spreading the word to their neighbors, co-workers, friends and relatives. That’s why public service workers who are AFSCME members came out this year across the nation to help elect candidates who support working families.

And we won big.

We won at every level of government and in almost every state. AFSCME members made our voices heard, helping our partners in For Our Future knock on 7.5 million doors and hold 925,000 conversations in targeted states.

AFSCME demands funding for 327 more COs

Council 5 renews its objection to reopening the shuttered Appleton prison.

Walz, Flanagan Vow to Stand 'Shoulder to Shoulder' with Workers

The Nov. 6 election comes down to a simple choice: Elect Tim Walz, or become another Wisconsin.

As Governor, Tim Walz will follow in the footsteps of Gov. Dayton. Walz shares our union values. He believes that everyone – no matter the color of their skin, where they live or how much money they make – deserves the freedom to be able to get a quality education, go to the doctor without going bankrupt, take care of their loved ones and earn a fair return on their work.

Members Give Rousing Goodbye to Dayton

AFSCME Council 5 members said a sad but grateful farewell to Gov. Mark Dayton at our Annual Convention Friday.

Members jumped up to greet Dayton with a standing ovation and cheers.

“I really do believe in government,” Dayton said. “I believe in its enormous importance in people’s lives. I’m proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish. I’m proud to have stood with you and earned your support.”

He said Minnesota’s considered one of the best-run states with excellent public services because of people like AFSCME members, who take pride in our high-quality work.

Unions Push for “Grade A” Paid Parental Leave

Better wages. Check. Better working conditions. Check. And, thanks to unions, we now know there is also a union difference for workers who have access to critical benefits like paid parental leave.

According to recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 17 percent of all U.S. workers have access to paid family leave.  

Believe It or Not, Congress Seeks More Tax Cuts for the Rich

At a time when our country needs real investments in infrastructure, education and public services, congressional leaders are doubling down on tax cuts for the rich.

A Decade Later: Four Ways Working People Are Still Paying for the 2008 Financial Crisis

It was 10 years ago this month that the 2008 financial crisis kicked into high gear. When storied Wall Street bank Lehman Brothers shut down, bankers walking out of the building carrying cardboard boxes of their possessions made the perfect image for TV cameras.

Don’t Like Wealth Inequality? Join a Union

We Are AFSCME

No politician running for office today would openly advocate for more wealth inequality in our country, where the richest 1 percent of the population owns 40 percent of the wealth. Even candidate Donald Trump in 2016 promised to stand up for the “forgotten men and women of our country,” who feel betrayed by a rigged economic system that benefits a small minority at their expense. Yet every single day, President Trump and congressional leaders seem determined to do more to increase wealth inequality than to alleviate it; do more for corporations and the wealthy than for single parents working two or three jobs to make ends meet.