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

December 21, 2020

Saunders blasts COVID relief package as ‘a slap in the face’ to working people

AFSCME President Lee Saunders calls the COVID relief package “a slap in the face.”

December 11, 2020

Another reason to involve yourself in the GA Senate runoffs – funding for front-line heroes

Want federal aid to support public services? Help the pro-worker challengers win the Georgia runoff elections on Jan. 5.

December 10, 2020

AFSCME respiratory therapist in remarks to Congress: ‘I want you to wear a mask’

Ramon Williams, a member of AFSCME Florida Council 79, participated in a congressional listening session about the challenges front-line workers have faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

December 07, 2020

Western New Yorkers claim victory for retiree health benefits

By banding together with one purpose, AFSCME members in Western New York were able to protect retiree health care – a testament to their solidarity.

December 04, 2020

Facing an ‘economic battering,’ Congress must fund the front lines

A New York Times article echoes AFSCME’s call to urgently fund the front lines.

December 02, 2020

Finally, a seat at the table for Nevada state workers

It’s taken Nevada state workers years to get to this stage, but they are finally beginning to negotiate their first contract.

November 24, 2020

Western New York workers rally to save retiree health care benefits

Members of two local unions in Western NY are fighting back against taking away retiree benefits to cut city costs.

November 23, 2020

To Fund The Front Lines, We Need to Win in Georgia

In President Saunders’ latest “On the Record” video, he says it’s all hands on deck to support pro-worker candidates in Georgia’s runoff elections.

November 19, 2020

Child care providers file unfair practice charge against California

Frustrated by the State of California’s inaction, child care providers have filed an unfair practice charge to get help.

November 13, 2020

NYC public employees reach agreement with the city, avoiding layoffs

Thousands of New York City public service workers will be spared layoffs through at least June 2021 under an agreement DC 37 struck with Mayor Bill de Blasio.

October 30, 2020

Harris urges union members to vote, show their power

Sen. Kamala Harris joined AFSCME President Lee Saunders and AFT President Randi Weingarten in a tele-town hall Thursday night to urge people to vote.

October 29, 2020

CA child care providers hold candlelight vigils to draw attention to COVID-19 impact

As child care locations shutter due to COVID-19, providers across California hold candlelight vigils to draw attention to the crisis.

October 28, 2020

Syracuse, N.Y., unions avoid layoffs, negotiate across-the-board furloughs instead

To avoid layoffs and make furloughs more equitable for workers, the City of Syracuse, N.Y., and unions came up with a compromise plan to cope with COVID-19-related revenue losses.

October 23, 2020

In final debate, Biden offers unity, clear path forward

In the final presidential debate, Joe Biden promised to fund the front lines, offering a vision of unity and a comprehensive path forward.

October 21, 2020

Senate’s ‘skinny’ COVID-19 relief bill is just a ‘ploy,’ says Saunders

The Senate’s “skinny” COVID-19 relief bill is “a ploy,” says AFSCME President Lee Saunders.

October 07, 2020

Ending state, local aid negotiations shows depth of Trump’s ‘callousness and cruelty’

Ending talks on providing state, local aid is a cruel move by Donald Trump, AFSCME president says.

October 01, 2020

California family child care providers sound the alarm on a system in crisis

Providers in California are asking the governor to resolve a growing crisis in the state’s child care system.

September 24, 2020

In San Antonio, AFSCME members win victory against layoffs

AFSCME members in San Antonio fought to avoid layoffs and furloughs due to the pandemic.

September 23, 2020

Federal coronavirus relief aid to states, cities and towns is best return on investment, CBO says

A new CBO report shows that federal coronavirus relief aid to states, cities and towns represents the best return on investment, since it increases GDP by about 89 cents for every dollar that it adds to the deficit.

September 18, 2020

EPI report highlights Trump’s failures on coronavirus and need for state and local aid

A new report by the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) highlights the Trump administration's failed response to the pandemic and the need for state and local aid.

September 17, 2020

As schools reopen, employees take on more responsibility as they face lack of federal support

As a new school year begins during the pandemic, we also need a new leader in the White House.

September 10, 2020

Misguided coronavirus ‘relief’ bill fails in the Senate

The Senate rejected a coronavirus “relief” bill that was really about providing cover to vulnerable Republican politicians, not about helping working people.

September 08, 2020

Rochester school employees rally against layoffs among essential workers

The school district cited the financial strain of the pandemic and a lack of federal stimulus funding as the reason for the proposed cuts.

August 28, 2020

Voters in another state – Ohio – strongly support federal aid to states, cities, towns, schools

Ohio voters of all political stripes overwhelmingly want Congress to provide federal aid to struggling states, cities, towns and schools, according to a new poll.

August 06, 2020

Labor leaders join their voices together to call on Senate to pass Heroes Act

Labor leaders jointly called on the Senate to pass the House-approved Heroes Act, which includes nearly $1 trillion in federal aid to states, cities and towns.

July 29, 2020

Voters in seven key states express strong support for $1 trillion in state and local aid

In new polls, voters in seven states express strong support for $1 trillion in state and local aid. And the support cuts across partisan lines.

July 28, 2020

AFSCME President: GOP coronavirus relief bill ‘spectacularly fails to meet the moment’

The Republican coronavirus relief bill introduced this week “spectacularly fails to meet the moment,” AFSCME President Lee Saunders says.

July 27, 2020

New national ads urge Senate to prevent ‘painful cuts to essential public services’

New AFSCME ads urging the Senate to provide federal aid are going national today.

July 24, 2020

The power of a union: Nevada state worker mobilization makes the difference

AFSCME members in Nevada mobilized against Gov. Steve Sisolak proposed furloughs, merit pay freezes and layoffs – and won. That’s the power of a union.

July 24, 2020

Arizona poll shows overwhelming support for federal aid to states, cities, towns, schools

A new poll of Arizona voters shows overwhelming, bipartisan support – 75% – for federal aid to struggling states, cities, towns and school districts.

State & Local Budgets Archive

Saunders blasts COVID relief package as ‘a slap in the face’ to working people

Another reason to involve yourself in the GA Senate runoffs – funding for front-line heroes

AFSCME respiratory therapist in remarks to Congress: ‘I want you to wear a mask’

Western New Yorkers claim victory for retiree health benefits

Facing an ‘economic battering,’ Congress must fund the front lines

Finally, a seat at the table for Nevada state workers

Western New York workers rally to save retiree health care benefits

To Fund The Front Lines, We Need to Win in Georgia

Child care providers file unfair practice charge against California

NYC public employees reach agreement with the city, avoiding layoffs

Harris urges union members to vote, show their power

CA child care providers hold candlelight vigils to draw attention to COVID-19 impact

Syracuse, N.Y., unions avoid layoffs, negotiate across-the-board furloughs instead

In final debate, Biden offers unity, clear path forward

Senate’s ‘skinny’ COVID-19 relief bill is just a ‘ploy,’ says Saunders

Ending state, local aid negotiations shows depth of Trump’s ‘callousness and cruelty’

California family child care providers sound the alarm on a system in crisis

In San Antonio, AFSCME members win victory against layoffs

Federal coronavirus relief aid to states, cities and towns is best return on investment, CBO says

EPI report highlights Trump’s failures on coronavirus and need for state and local aid

As schools reopen, employees take on more responsibility as they face lack of federal support

Misguided coronavirus ‘relief’ bill fails in the Senate

Rochester school employees rally against layoffs among essential workers

Voters in another state – Ohio – strongly support federal aid to states, cities, towns, schools

Labor leaders join their voices together to call on Senate to pass Heroes Act

Voters in seven key states express strong support for $1 trillion in state and local aid

AFSCME President: GOP coronavirus relief bill ‘spectacularly fails to meet the moment’

New national ads urge Senate to prevent ‘painful cuts to essential public services’

The power of a union: Nevada state worker mobilization makes the difference

Arizona poll shows overwhelming support for federal aid to states, cities, towns, schools