Never Quit | Page 4 | American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)

October 26, 2020

L.A.’s Justo Franco: Creating order amid chaos

Never Quit Service Award winner Justo Franco kept L.A.’s buses running during the recent protests. Learn what it took for Franco to make that happen.

October 15, 2020

As pandemic ravaged New York City region, this morgue worker refused to quit

Mike Vikara, a forensic pathologist assistant for the Nassau County, New York, Medical Examiner, is a winner of AFSCME's Never Quit Service Award.

September 28, 2020

When a moment of reckoning becomes a moment of opportunity

Never Quit Service Award Winner Carre Adams leads the George Washington Carver Museum through a moment of change.

September 14, 2020

When a trailblazing correctional officer went down the walk at Angola

Shirley Coody, an assistant warden at the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola and president of AFSCME Local 3056 (Council 17), is a winner of AFSCME's Never Quit Service Award.

July 21, 2020

From dial-up to digital, CSEA’s Joe Acampora led the way

This Never Quit Service Award winner helped lead a New York community from digital dark ages to the high-tech world of today.

May 06, 2020

Connecticut Nurse and Mother of Two Is All About Her Patients – And Her Boys

When Yajaira Perez, a Connecticut nurse and mother of two, is not at work, she is spending time with her two teenage boys. Perez is a winner of AFSCME's Never Quit Service Award.

March 16, 2020

A Humble Engineer Keeps NYC’s Ferries Afloat

Engineer Earl Baim, a member of Local 375 (DC 37) keeps New York City’s ferries afloat.

February 24, 2020

When a Team’s Secret Weapon is the Custodian

Kent State University custodian Sabra Lloyd keeps its athletic center running and winning.

February 10, 2020

A Friend in Foxtrot

Mark Simonson brightens the lives of the residents of Rhode Island Veterans Home.

January 27, 2020

Cafeteria Worker at Florida High School Keeps it Real with Students

Norma Motard, an assistant cafeteria worker at DeLand High School in Florida, is the latest winner of AFSCME’s Never Quit Service Award.

January 16, 2020

Help Our Sisters and Brothers in Puerto Rico

Sandra Pacheco is one of many AFSCME members and retirees in Puerto Rico who have been affected by a series of earthquakes and aftershocks that began Dec. 28.

January 13, 2020

With Poise and Compassion, Heather Mikesell Protects Children in Fairbanks, AK

Heather Mikesell earned AFSCME’s Never Quit Service Award through her dedication to helping the children of Fairbanks, Alaska.

December 20, 2019

Dedicated to Making Her Hospital Work for all Patients

Jackie Rodriguez plays a crucial role in helping patients in central Massachusetts receive a diagnosis and treatment.

December 09, 2019

A Minor Gesture Makes a Major Difference

Iowa utility worker Chris DeHarty, a member of AFSCME Local 212 (Council 61), helped his fellow public service worker, Lynette Tiede-Beals, in a time of crisis.

December 02, 2019

BART Worker Honored as Hero After Saving Man From Being Hit by Train

AFSCME Council 57 member wins national praise after saving a passenger from being hit by a train in Northern California.

November 26, 2019

Beating the Expectations, Believing in His Community

George Morales, a member of AFSCME Local 1624, has always believed in his community, even when others didn’t. That’s why he’s a Never Quit Service Award winner.

November 25, 2019

Former DC 37 Vice President Springs into Action to Save Two from Burning Car

Jim Tucciarelli, the former vice president of District Council 37 who retired this year, sprang into action last weekend when he came across a vehicle in flames where two people were trapped.

November 18, 2019

Tulsa Water Distribution Admin Is ‘Awesome Person’ and Problem Solver

Laura Chance of Oklahoma Local 1180, works behind the scenes to make sure employees of Tulsa’s water department have everything they need to keep the water distribution system up and running.

October 29, 2019

For Nevada Psychiatric Nurse, His Union Helps Him ‘Concentrate on Caring for People’

Alonzo Thornton is a psychiatric nurse in Nevada who says that it’s because his union has his back that he can “concentrate on caring for people.”

October 15, 2019

California Nurse Once Thought About Quitting but Persevered

Early in Brian Zeringue’s career, a patient died on him. He thought about quitting, but thanks to support from his colleagues, he persevered – and his community is better off for it.

The Union Difference on Union 411

In the latest “Union 411” video, Secretary-Treasurer Elissa McBride explores the value of the Union Difference – power, dignity, respect and fairness.

August 26, 2019

He Helps Nevada Students See Campus and They Inspire Him

Never Quit Award winner and Local 4041 member Larry Coffey teaches blind and visually impaired students at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, to move around campus.

August 12, 2019

Offering Comfort Amidst the Cinders

Find out how Chico, California, social worker Lance Ferris, a member of AFSCME Local 2620 (Council 57) and the winner of a Never Quit Service Award, used his training to stem trauma and offer comfort after the Camp Fire.

July 29, 2019

Cool Under Pressure

Never Quit Service Award winner Joe Martinez stays cool under pressure while fixing the Los Angeles County Fire Department’s helicopters.

July 15, 2019

Paying it Forward in Parma

Never Quit Award Winner Annie Hoffman brings a laugh and a smile to her students’ and co-workers’ faces.

June 28, 2019

At Rogers High School in Minnesota, Special Ed Students Find a Safe Place in Becky Grupa

“She just makes it so easy for kids to learn because she puts them at ease and lets them know that it’s okay if you don’t know something."

June 14, 2019

NQSA Winner Marie Cetti and K-9 Uno: A Level of Companionship Like No Other

Marie Cetti is a winner of AFSCME’s Never Quit Service Award. For her and K-9 Uno, going above and beyond the call of duty is almost a part of the job description.

May 31, 2019

#NeverQuit: Tanishia Barnes

By serving up hope and love, Tanishia makes a positive impact every single day.

May 21, 2019

In No Uncertain Terms

During EMS Week, AFSCME recognizes the skill and dedication shown by EMS professionals.

March 27, 2019

The Numbers Are In: AFSCME Members Are Sticking with Their Union

Our union gained more than 9,000 dues-paying members and nearly 19,000 dues-paying retirees in the past year.

Never Quit Archive

L.A.’s Justo Franco: Creating order amid chaos

As pandemic ravaged New York City region, this morgue worker refused to quit

When a moment of reckoning becomes a moment of opportunity

When a trailblazing correctional officer went down the walk at Angola

From dial-up to digital, CSEA’s Joe Acampora led the way

Connecticut Nurse and Mother of Two Is All About Her Patients – And Her Boys

A Humble Engineer Keeps NYC’s Ferries Afloat

When a Team’s Secret Weapon is the Custodian

A Friend in Foxtrot

Cafeteria Worker at Florida High School Keeps it Real with Students

Help Our Sisters and Brothers in Puerto Rico

With Poise and Compassion, Heather Mikesell Protects Children in Fairbanks, AK

Dedicated to Making Her Hospital Work for all Patients

A Minor Gesture Makes a Major Difference

BART Worker Honored as Hero After Saving Man From Being Hit by Train

Beating the Expectations, Believing in His Community

Former DC 37 Vice President Springs into Action to Save Two from Burning Car

Tulsa Water Distribution Admin Is ‘Awesome Person’ and Problem Solver

For Nevada Psychiatric Nurse, His Union Helps Him ‘Concentrate on Caring for People’

California Nurse Once Thought About Quitting but Persevered

The Union Difference on Union 411

He Helps Nevada Students See Campus and They Inspire Him

Offering Comfort Amidst the Cinders

Cool Under Pressure

Paying it Forward in Parma

At Rogers High School in Minnesota, Special Ed Students Find a Safe Place in Becky Grupa

NQSA Winner Marie Cetti and K-9 Uno: A Level of Companionship Like No Other

#NeverQuit: Tanishia Barnes

In No Uncertain Terms

The Numbers Are In: AFSCME Members Are Sticking with Their Union