Health & Safety | Page 3 | American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)

February 24, 2022

AFSCME members are fighting to preserve COVID safety standards

Undeterred by a setback, AFSCME members are continuing their fight to preserve COVID safety standards in Virginia.

January 13, 2022

We mourn the death of sister Deidre Silas, Illinois DCFS investigator

Rest in power, Sister Deidre Silas. The AFSCME member in Illinois was killed on the job.

January 11, 2022

AFSCME supports American Red Cross workers as they struggle for fair treatment and respect

American Red Cross workers, including AFSCME members, are gearing up for negotiations with their employer over pay, benefits and working conditions.

January 05, 2022

AFSCME joins labor push for permanent health standard to protect against COVID-19

AFSCME and a group of unions are pushing the Biden administration to adopt permanent protections for health care workers battling the COVID-19 pandemic.

November 19, 2021

AFSCME mourns on-the-job death of Pennsylvania corrections officer

AFSCME members mourn the death of Sister Rhonda Russell, a Pennsylvania correctional officer who died in the line of duty.

November 02, 2021

Labor harmony in place for behavioral health workers in Oregon’s Multnomah County

Behavioral health workers in an Oregon county will be able to form a union without management interference – thanks to a labor harmony agreement.

October 12, 2021

With patience and humility, Isaias Lona keeps his city safe

Discover how our latest Never Quit Service Award winner, Isaias Lona, keeps his California community safe.

October 06, 2021

New contract recognizes the work of South Florida members throughout the pandemic

Health care workers in a South Florida local are happy with their new contract – and are signing up new members building off their success.

September 27, 2021

‘She always shows up’: Never Quit winner advocates for survivors of sexual violence

Cheyenne Garstad, an advocate coordinator who supports survivors of sexual violence in Middlesex County, New Jersey, is a winner of AFSCME’s Never Quit Service Award.

August 31, 2021

Correctional officers in Puerto Rico hold a rally to demand wage fairness

Correctional officers in Puerto Rico held a rally last week to demand wage fairness and better working conditions.

August 18, 2021

Walters museum workers demand inclusive union election, hold rally to up the pressure

Workers at Baltimore’s Walters Art Museum are pushing management to voluntarily recognize their union.

July 30, 2021

University of Maryland workers rally to expand and protect access to telework

University of Maryland workers are pushing to telework for the rest of the summer, but they’re being asked to return to the office starting Monday despite rising COVID cases.

July 22, 2021

Saunders discusses organized labor’s role in workplace mental health

President Lee Saunders joined a panel discussion on the role that organized labor plays in addressing workplace mental health.

July 16, 2021

Museum reopens after shutting down following apparent chemical exposure

It took collective action to temporarily close The Walters Art Museum in Baltimore after some workers were sickened by a chemical exposure.

July 12, 2020

AFSCME members secure state audit in latest step to fix problems with their employer

AFSCME Local 1902 members have long pointed out workplace problems at the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Their concerns are finally getting heard by the state.

July 12, 2021

Never Quit winner is hard at work fulfilling a childhood mission

Learn why Heather Burke, a social caseworker with Adams County, Colorado, is the latest winner of AFSCME’s Never Quit Service Award.

June 28, 2021

Michigan nurse Maggie Schaefer put off retirement to fight COVID

Learn how Michigan nurse and Never Quit Winner Maggie Schaefer fought through the pandemic.

June 21, 2021

Anti-union campaign in Oregon shows why Congress must pass PRO Act

The anti-union tactics by an Oregon behavioral health employer show why workers nationwide need the PRO Act.

June 17, 2021

AFSCME president on high court ACA ruling: A ‘huge victory’ for working families

AFSCME President Lee Saunders applauded the Supreme Court for rejecting the latest baseless lawsuit aimed at overturning the Affordable Care Act.

June 15, 2021

AFSCME members lead the way in getting vaccinated

AFSCME members are leading the way in getting vaccinated but more can be done to stop COVID’s spread.

June 11, 2021

Philadelphia cultural and museum workers celebrate the formation of Local 397

Philadelphia cultural and museum workers notch a victory by joining Local 397.

June 04, 2021

Iowa corrections package is good but not good enough

The Iowa legislative package for increased corrections funding – coming two months after the Anamosa State Penitentiary killings of AFSCME members – is a good start but isn’t good enough.

June 01, 2021

Union Difference: For Virginia’s Velicia Tucker, the union difference only gets stronger

Discover how Virginia’s Velicia Tucker experiences the power of the union difference.

May 27, 2021

During pandemic, school nurse aide did ‘whatever was necessary’ to protect students, staff

Kelly Landon is a licensed practical nurse aide in New York whose dedication to her students made her a winner of AFSCME’s Never Quit Service Award.

May 26, 2021

After braving the pandemic, Miami-Dade school employees brace for the fall

Miami-Dade schools Local 1184 President Phyllis Leflore reflects on the pandemic and plans for the future.

May 20, 2021

Americans want unions, and they want them now

New survey findings on public sentiments toward labor unions suggest Americans are waking up to the union difference.

May 19, 2021

Cultural Workers United

Welcome to Cultural Workers United, our union’s campaign to ensure that workers at cultural institutions nationwide have a voice on the job.

May 12, 2021

AFSCME members raise awareness during Mental Health Awareness Month

This Mental Health Awareness Month, let’s empower behavioral health workers to improve the quality of care they provide to clients with mental illnesses.

May 11, 2021

Major legislative wins for Maryland workers – especially in higher ed

Thanks to AFSCME members, Maryland workers – especially those working in colleges and universities – saw major gains in this year’s legislative session.

May 05, 2021

‘When we talk about money being released to schools, how do we ensure that truly helps students?’

American Rescue Plan funding should benefit students and paraprofessionals in District of Columbia Public Schools, member says.

Health & Safety Archive

AFSCME members are fighting to preserve COVID safety standards

We mourn the death of sister Deidre Silas, Illinois DCFS investigator

AFSCME supports American Red Cross workers as they struggle for fair treatment and respect

AFSCME joins labor push for permanent health standard to protect against COVID-19

AFSCME mourns on-the-job death of Pennsylvania corrections officer

Labor harmony in place for behavioral health workers in Oregon’s Multnomah County

With patience and humility, Isaias Lona keeps his city safe

New contract recognizes the work of South Florida members throughout the pandemic

‘She always shows up’: Never Quit winner advocates for survivors of sexual violence

Correctional officers in Puerto Rico hold a rally to demand wage fairness

Walters museum workers demand inclusive union election, hold rally to up the pressure

University of Maryland workers rally to expand and protect access to telework

Saunders discusses organized labor’s role in workplace mental health

Museum reopens after shutting down following apparent chemical exposure

AFSCME members secure state audit in latest step to fix problems with their employer

Never Quit winner is hard at work fulfilling a childhood mission

Michigan nurse Maggie Schaefer put off retirement to fight COVID

Anti-union campaign in Oregon shows why Congress must pass PRO Act

AFSCME president on high court ACA ruling: A ‘huge victory’ for working families

AFSCME members lead the way in getting vaccinated

Philadelphia cultural and museum workers celebrate the formation of Local 397

Iowa corrections package is good but not good enough

Union Difference: For Virginia’s Velicia Tucker, the union difference only gets stronger

During pandemic, school nurse aide did ‘whatever was necessary’ to protect students, staff

After braving the pandemic, Miami-Dade school employees brace for the fall

Americans want unions, and they want them now

Cultural Workers United

AFSCME members raise awareness during Mental Health Awareness Month

Major legislative wins for Maryland workers – especially in higher ed

‘When we talk about money being released to schools, how do we ensure that truly helps students?’