AFSCME NEWS

New Gallup polling shows nearly 50% of Americans think unions should have more power WASHINGTON – AFSCME President Patrick Moran released the following statement on new Gallup polling showing union popularity continuing to rise: “As our country faces a cost-of-living crisis engineered by an administration that puts billionaire profits ahead of working families, more and more people are seeing the value in workers having a seat at the table. Despite unrelenting attacks from

OPM rules scrap decades of legal precedent and undermine nonpartisan civil service, lawsuit asserts SAN FRANCISCO – The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), along with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE), and the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE), and with the assistance of Democracy Forward, today filed suit in U.S. District Court f

Moran succeeds Lee Saunders, becoming the fifth President in the union’s history Nicole Pollard was elected Secretary-Treasurer CHICAGO – Today at AFSCME’s 47th International Convention in Chicago, Patrick Moran was elected as AFSCME International President. Nicole Pollard was elected International Secretary-Treasurer. Moran previously served as an AFSCME International Vice President and Maryland Council 3 President, where he has successfully worked to expand collective barg

Shedd Aquarium Workers won their union two years ago, but are still fighting for a first contract with fair pay CHICAGO – Today, thousands of AFSCME members from across the country rallied outside the Shedd Aquarium to demand that management stop acting fishy and bargain a fair contract with fair pay. More than two years ago, Shedd employees overcame an intensive anti-union campaign to form Shedd Workers United/AFSCME. But now during negotiations for their first union contra

At the union’s 47th international convention in Chicago, Saunders marks the end of his historic tenure with call to action for AFSCME members to organize for better workplace protections and to get out the vote and elect pro-worker candidates who will strengthen public services and lower prices for working families CHICAGO – On Monday, August 17, AFSCME President Lee Saunders delivered the keynote address at the union’s 47th International Convention in Chicago. This conventio

CHICAGO – On Monday, Aug.17, thousands of AFSCME members from across the country will gather in Chicago for the start of the union’s 47th International Convention, which will run through Friday, Aug. 21. As the union celebrates its 90th anniversary, delegates will reflect on how they’ve successfully mobilized to improve the lives of workers and retirees and grow union membership, while also continuing to chart a path forward. They will also honor the legacy of AFSCME Presiden

WASHINGTON – A coalition of unions representing hundreds of thousands of public service and health care workers filed a lawsuit this week challenging the Department of Education’s new RISE rule. The rule follows a law that sets draconian new limits on the amount of federal student loans for graduate education in some of our nation’s most critical, and understaffed, professions. But the rule lawlessly compounds the problem by making many professional workers ineligible for the

Supplemental Complaint and Preliminary Injunction Motion Filed in Case Challenging Unlawful Reshaping of Government Targets “Reorganization” of USDA San Francisco – A broad coalition of nationwide labor unions, non-profit organizations, and cities and counties from across the country moved for injunctive relief in their challenge to the massive administration effort to unlawfully reorganize the federal government, reduce the government workforce, and harm the government’s abi

Court Sides With Broad Coalition, Blocking Unlawful Effort to Punish Perceived Political Opponents Washington, D.C. – A federal court has ordered the administration to stop its unlawful rewriting of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program as a way of silencing local governments and nonprofit organizations that do work that goes against the administration’s political agenda. The ruling comes in National Council of Nonprofits et al. v. McMahon, a case brought by a b

Administration’s “Bonfire” of Child Care Regulations Would Harm Families Across America Seattle – A group of labor organizations are challenging an administration attempt to destroy regulations that support equal access to affordable, high-quality childcare. In a complaint filed today in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, the American Federation of State, Municipal, and County Employees (AFSCME), Service Employees International Union (SEIU), and S

WASHINGTON – National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, observed April 12-18, recognizes the dedication of 911 dispatchers who play a crucial role in public safety, bravely serving as the first line of response for their communities in times of crisis. This week also serves as a reminder that 911 dispatchers are still not federally classified as public safety professionals, which is why Congress must pass the Enhancing First Response Act. This critical bipartisan legislat

WASHINGTON – AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement recognizing National EMS Week, May 17–23, 2026. AFSCME is proud to represent nearly 100,000 public safety personnel, including EMS workers, in more than 40 states and Puerto Rico. “During EMS Week, we honor the highly skilled AFSCME members in EMS who answer the call to provide lifesaving care during some of the most difficult moments in people’s lives. Whether responding to an accident or a medical e

Spanberger vetoes collective bargaining legislation that would have given half a million public service workers a strong voice to fight for fair pay, safe working conditions and better public services for all Virginians. WASHINGTON— AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement after Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger vetoed Senate Bill 378 and House Bill 1263, legislation that would have granted collective bargaining freedoms to state government employees and

WASHINGTON – AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement in recognition of National Law Enforcement Week, May 10 to 16, 2026: “This week, we honor the brave AFSCME members serving in law enforcement who risk their lives every day to protect our communities and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. “These public service workers dedicate themselves to keeping our communities safe in times of crisis. But too often, their mission

WASHINGTON – AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement in recognition of National Nurses Week, observed May 6-12: “From primary care to the emergency rooms, nurses are essential to America’s health system. The dedication, courage and skill they show every day is indescribable and awe-inspiring. And they know better than anyone what patients need to heal and what hospitals, clinics and other health care facilities need to thrive. “Nurses deserve more than

WASHINGTON – AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement in recognition of National Correctional Officers and Employees Week, May 3–9, 2026: “Correctional officers and employees are some of the bravest, most dedicated public service workers in this country. They work in conditions most Americans never see – rehabilitating offenders, maintaining safety and order, and caring for the well-being of inmates. These brave workers make tremendous sacrifices to do

WASHINGTON – AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement in response to the Supreme Court’s ruling in Louisiana v. Callais: “For decades, the Voting Rights Act has protected the freedom to vote and ensured that the voices of people of color could not be diluted to weaken our collective power. Today the Supreme Court abandoned its duty to uphold equal justice under the law, stripping away critical protections that helped guarantee working people a seat at t

WASHINGTON – AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement in recognition of Workers Memorial Day, Tuesday, April 28: “On Workers Memorial Day, we mourn the loss of all those who have died, been seriously injured or made ill while on the job. Going to work and earning a paycheck to support your family should not be hazardous to your health. Unfortunately, every year, thousands of families receive the devastating news that their loved one died or was serious

WASHINGTON – AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement in response to the Virginia General Assembly rejecting the substitute bill submitted by Gov. Abigail Spanberger gutting Senate Bill 378 and House Bill 1263: “The Virginia legislature did the right thing today. More than half a million public service workers have waited long enough for a voice on the job and a seat at the table. “When Governor Spanberger's substitute threatened to gut those rights, le

WASHINGTON – AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement on the resignation of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer: “Secretary Chavez-DeRemer’s tenure was a failure for working people – from neglecting to move forward with a nationwide heat standard that would save lives to directly attacking workers’ collective bargaining rights, pay and benefits. But let’s be clear: replacing her with Acting Secretary Sonderling won’t help workers if the policies don’t c