Why Join?
- Do you want to build a better and more secure economic future for you and your family?
- Are you hurting from a lack of quality, affordable healthcare coverage?
- Have you ever been unfairly disciplined by your supervisor or forced to accept a demotion, suspension or other punishment you didn’t deserve?
If you answered yes to any of these questions it’s time to consider forming a union with AFSCME. With more than 1.6 million active and retired members nationwide, AFSCME is the strongest and most respected public services union in the country.
We consistently fight for and secure the best wages, benefits and working conditions for our members. Since so much of public service workers’ rights, benefits and funding are impacted by the actions of elected officials, we maintain a strong presence in the corridors of government, fighting to protect our members and holding politicians accountable for their actions. We stand ready to do the same for you and your colleagues.
Get in touch with us to have a preliminary conversation and to learn more. All conversations are strictly confidential and you will not be pressured to move forward until you are ready.
Hello 552 members!
Juneteenth is a holiday to celebrate the emancipation of slaves on June 19, 1865. On this day, Union Army General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce the abolishment of slavery. This was a year and a half later, as slavery was abolished on January 1, 1863, when President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. The Emancipation Proclamation had little impact on Texas due to the minimal number of Union troops to enforce the new executive order. General Granger’s forces were finally strong enough to execute, influence and overcome the resistance when Confederate General Lee surrendered in April 1865.
The news set off immediate jubilation and pure shock. Many slaves left before learning more about the new employer to employee relationship. Many slaves migrated north to experience true freedom. In contrast, many slaves had a desire to reconnect with family members they were separated from but lived in neighboring states of Louisiana, Arkansas, and Oklahoma.
The festivities on this day in 1865 served as motivation to cement and recognize this day as Juneteenth. The celebration of Juneteenth is always a time of reassurance, praying, and gathering of family. We are asking the county to observe this day as a holiday for employees to remember, reflect and enjoy the impact this day brings to the African American community.
Please reach out to your commissioners and ask them to recognize this important day as one that is as deserving as the other holidays that we observe. To determine which district you are in, click here.
Commissioner Mike Opat, District 1: 612-348-7881 hennepin.us/opat
Commissioner Irene Fernando District 2: 612-348-7882 hennepin.us/fernando
Commissioner Marion Greene District 3: 612-348-7883 hennepin.us/ greene
Commissioner Angela Conley: District 4: 612-348-7884 hennepin.us/conley
Commissioner Debbie Goettel District 5: 612-348-7885 hennepin.us/goettel
Commissioner Jan Callison District 6: 612-348-7886 hennepin/us/callison
Commissioner Jeff Johnson District 7: 612-348-7887 hennepin.us/johnson