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Structure of AFSCME

“The most important word in the language of the working class is ‘solidarity.’”
—Harry Bridges, president, International Longshoremen’s and Warehousemen’s Union

AFSCME by the Numbers

  • More than 1.4 million members
  • Over 60 councils
  • Approximately 3,500 locals
  • Over 100 independent employee associations that have affiliated with AFSCME

AFSCME Q&A

Following are some answers to frequently asked questions about your union.

Who is in AFSCME?

State workers, county workers and city workers. People who serve the public every day in a variety of professions: health care (public and private), social services, public works, education, transportation, corrections, environmental services, home health care and child care and many others. AFSCME members are in almost every state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

What are “locals”?

Each council has a number of locals, each representing a particular jurisdiction (e.g., workers in a city or workers at a particular institution or agency). Some locals represent all employees in a statewide bargaining unit and may have over 1,000 members. Other locals cover employees in a department in a small town, and these may have only a handful of members.

What are “councils”?

A council is made up of locals in a given geographical area, such as a state or city, that have pooled their resources to form a larger voice on issues affecting members.

And what are “affiliates”?

In some cases independent employee unions or associations have affiliated with AFSCME — to the mutual benefit and strength of each group. Affiliates often serve the same role as councils and have locals or chapters operating within their structure.

What services do councils and affiliates provide?

These bodies provide a number of services for AFSCME members, including representation in grievances in the higher steps of the process and at arbitration hearings, staff assistance with contract negotiations, lobbying of state and local political officials, research, education for members and leaders and organizing assistance for new members and new bargaining units.

What about AFSCME International — what does it do?

The International Union, based in Washington, D.C., coordinates the union’s actions on major national issues, such as health care, privatization and workplace safety. The International also provides a number of valuable services to councils, affiliates and locals. An overview of the various departments and the resources they offer is in Section 8.

Where does a union member’s dues money go?

To the local, to the council and to the International Union. Locals retain a portion of the dues to cover operating needs as determined by the executive board and the membership, for example, newsletters, postage, posters for rallies and other costs related to representing members and enabling their participation. Councils and affiliates receive the largest portion of the dues to provide staff assistance to locals and members in areas such as contract negotiations, arbitration, lobbying at the state and local levels, research and organizing. The International Union also receives aportion of the dues in order to coordinate actions and to provide training, lobbying, research, communications and other resources for the councils, local unions, and their members (and potential members) on a national level.

Who runs the union?

The members do. AFSCME is a democratically run union from top to bottom. The International Union is governed by a constitution. Every two years AFSCME holds its International Convention. AFSCME members are elected as delegates and debate and vote on the union’s policies and direction. Every four years delegates elect the International president, the International secretary-treasurer and International vice presidents (the latter are elected by region). When it is in session, the
Convention is the highest decision-making body in the union. Between Conventions, the International Union Executive Board becomes the governing body.

Councils and affiliates also are governed by constitutions. Delegates to council conventions make decisions on issues affecting their members. In between conventions, the elected executive board of the council or affiliate is responsible for conducting the union’s business.

Local unions also are governed by constitutions or bylaws. Locals are run by their members who meet on a regular basis —
usually monthly — to pass motions and decide on issues facing the local. In between those meetings, the local’s elected executive board is the governing body of the local union.

What is the AFL-CIO?

The American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) is a federation of most of the nation’s
unions that collectively represents over 9 million working men and women.

What is the difference between AFSCME and the AFL-CIO?

AFSCME is a member of the AFL-CIO and is one of over 50 unions that are affiliated with the Federation.

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