Our Stories | Page 9 | American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)

October 06, 2020

It’s been a year like no other, but don’t tell that to this Oregon emergency manager

Erik Rau is an emergency management planner for the state of Oregon who has helped battle fires, floods and a pandemic – all in a single year.

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 30, 2020

Connecticut governor issues executive order to protect front-line workers

After Council 4 members speak up, Connecticut governor issues an executive order making front-line workers with COVID-19 eligible for worker’s comp coverage.

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.

June 24, 2020

‘The anger is blinding’

DC 37 member and New York paramedic discusses fighting the coronavirus pandemic in a powerful first-person account published by the Washington Post.

June 22, 2020

Though shorthanded, AFSCME members smother wildfire, head off disaster

A forest fire got contained quickly thanks to the dedication of AFSCME Michigan members, but short-staffing may lead to tragic results the next time.

June 16, 2020

MN Behavioral Health Members Find Community Online, Build Union Strength

Rather than feeling isolated during the coronavirus pandemic., Minnesota’s behavioral health workers are strengthening their union bonds online.

June 11, 2020

Continuing to protect Hawaii from invasive pests during the coronavirus pandemic

Hawaii’s plant quarantine inspectors safeguard the state’s unique ecology. Laying them off because of COVID-related funding shortages would harm the environment and the economy.

May 26, 2020

A Life of Service: One Man’s Mission to Put Others First

Oregon AFSCME member Michael Stewart volunteered to work in the COVID-19 unit at Oregon Health & Science University. Find out why he felt compelled to raise his hand.

May 22, 2020

‘Public service workers are … crucial to fighting this pandemic’

Meet a New York City respiratory therapist who was sickened by COVID-19.

May 22, 2020

‘It’s Like 9/11 Every Day’

A healthy New York City Fire Department EMS lieutenant for 25 years suddenly got sick with COVID-19. This is his story.

May 19, 2020

Pandemic Sparks Awareness of the Importance of Mental Health

May is Mental Health Month and the COVID-19 crisis shows that people’s mental health is as important as their physical and economic health.

May 18, 2020

During National EMS Week, Thank First Responders with More Than Words

This year, National EMS Week comes amid a national emergency of nearly unprecedented proportions. Just as EMS professionals across the country are rising to the challenge, so must the U.S. Senate.

May 14, 2020

AFSCME Members Recovering From COVID-19 Share Their Stories, Seek State, Local Aid

In a press call, AFSCME front-line workers shared stories of suffering with COVID-19 as they highlighted the urgent need for congressional aid.

May 11, 2020

Helping to Bring Babies into the World of COVID-19

In obstetrics, social distancing is just not possible. Hawaii nurse Sharay Souza continues to work diligently, despite her fears of contracting COVID-19.

May 11, 2020

Honoring AFSCME Public Safety Members During Law Enforcement Week

Law Enforcement Week is a time to honor the work done by and the sacrifices made by all public safety professionals, especially those who die in the line of duty.

May 08, 2020

Happy Mother’s Day to My AFSCME Mom – My Everyday Hero

The daughter of an AFSCME Florida member has a special Mother’s Day message for her mom.

May 07, 2020

Congressional Black Caucus Town Hall on State, Local Aid Features Florida Member, President Saunders

An AFSCME Florida member joined African American lawmakers in calling on Congress to provide aid to state and local governments.

May 06, 2020

Despite Scarce Support, NJ Hospital Workers Continue to Protect Patients and Staff

New Jersey hospital workers are soldiering on, despite a scarcity of resources, despite some of them contracting COVID-19.

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.

May 05, 2020

‘My Job is Dangerous Every Day. But COVID-19 Has Elevated that Threat’

Violence is escalating inside a Connecticut prison, as fear of catching COVID-19 grows among the inmates.

May 05, 2020

Overworked and Underprotected: Ohio Correction Officer Seeks Federal Assistance

Inside a Columbus, Ohio, facility, corrections officers are overworked and worried about catching COVID-19.

May 05, 2020

‘Things Are Beyond a Breaking Point’ Says Ohio CO Infected with COVID-19

What’s it like inside a prison where the coronavirus is running rampant? An Ohio corrections officer who has COVID-19 explains.

April 29, 2020

Helping Ohio’s Unemployed, One Person at a Time

Providing an economic lifeline to unemployed Ohioans means working nights and weekends for these two OCSEA members.

April 29, 2020

Furloughed Florida Member Needs More Than Prayer to Survive

Shirley Thomas tells her story of economic insecurity and urges federal aid for state and local governments so she could return to serving her community.

April 28, 2020

This Workers Memorial Day, We Honor Those Who Died at Work, Including From COVID-19.

On Workers Memorial Day, we honor and mourn those who lost their lives on the job – including from COVID-19.

April 24, 2020

COVID-19 is Not Slowing Down Foster Care, Adoption Services in Adams County, CO

Once the COVID-19 pandemic is behind us, AFSCME members in Adams County, Colorado, expect an increase in child abuse reports.

April 23, 2020

At Risk, But Unwavering in Her Commitment

Despite the risks the COVID-19 pandemic brings to front-line workers, Connecticut intake investigator Shannon Martin remains steadfast in her commitment to her clients.

April 22, 2020

‘Our Work is Essential to Keep Kids Safe’

A Washington state member whose job is to protect children from abuse speaks about the effect that the coronavirus pandemic is having on her job.

Our Stories Archive

It’s been a year like no other, but don’t tell that to this Oregon emergency manager

When a moment of reckoning becomes a moment of opportunity

When a trailblazing correctional officer went down the walk at Angola

Connecticut governor issues executive order to protect front-line workers

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

‘The anger is blinding’

Though shorthanded, AFSCME members smother wildfire, head off disaster

MN Behavioral Health Members Find Community Online, Build Union Strength

Continuing to protect Hawaii from invasive pests during the coronavirus pandemic

A Life of Service: One Man’s Mission to Put Others First

‘Public service workers are … crucial to fighting this pandemic’

‘It’s Like 9/11 Every Day’

Pandemic Sparks Awareness of the Importance of Mental Health

During National EMS Week, Thank First Responders with More Than Words

AFSCME Members Recovering From COVID-19 Share Their Stories, Seek State, Local Aid

Helping to Bring Babies into the World of COVID-19

Honoring AFSCME Public Safety Members During Law Enforcement Week

Happy Mother’s Day to My AFSCME Mom – My Everyday Hero

Congressional Black Caucus Town Hall on State, Local Aid Features Florida Member, President Saunders

Despite Scarce Support, NJ Hospital Workers Continue to Protect Patients and Staff

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

‘My Job is Dangerous Every Day. But COVID-19 Has Elevated that Threat’

Overworked and Underprotected: Ohio Correction Officer Seeks Federal Assistance

‘Things Are Beyond a Breaking Point’ Says Ohio CO Infected with COVID-19

Helping Ohio’s Unemployed, One Person at a Time

Furloughed Florida Member Needs More Than Prayer to Survive

This Workers Memorial Day, We Honor Those Who Died at Work, Including From COVID-19.

COVID-19 is Not Slowing Down Foster Care, Adoption Services in Adams County, CO

At Risk, But Unwavering in Her Commitment

‘Our Work is Essential to Keep Kids Safe’