Front line workers, those who can only conduct their work in-person, and all public employees have borne a signifcant share of the burden during the COVID-19 pandemic. For over one year, they have served our state bravely as COVID swept through prisons, offices, group homes, and in many cases workers brought the virus home to their families.
AFSCME Council 5 held its first ever virtual Day on the Hill on March 9, 2021. With hundreds of dedicated Council 5 members, Council 5 Executive Director Julie Bleyhl and President Eric Hesse, and special guests including President Lee Saunders and Governor Tim Walz in attendance, our members were fired up and ready to talk about our shared values and legislative priorities. Our members held over 150 meetings with legislators and during our plenary session, we heard directly from some of our members who are working to put a face to our priorities at the legislature.
AFSCME Council 5 proudly represents over 43,000 workers, many of whom are on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. They work in group homes, long term care facilities, prisons and secure facilities, K-12 public schools and higher education institutions and hospitals. Many of our members plow our roads to keep us all safe, protect vulnerable children, adults, and the elderly from abuse and neglect and process crucial paperwork to keep our state functioning. Minnesotans need the services AFSCME members provide now more than ever before.
Although many groups and organizations have canceled their days on the hill as a result of the legislature working remotely, we believe we have the capacity, determination, and will from our membership to plan a virtual day on the hill. It will be crucial that you join us and fight for our shared priorities as we head into a difficult legislative session. We will need an "all hands on deck" approach as we fight for our legislative agenda that invests in our workplaces, livelihoods and communities.
