News / Publications

  • AFSCME’s ‘I AM Story’ podcast nominated for NAACP Image Award

    Vote for the I AM Story podcast to receive an NAACP Image Awards. Read More

    Read More

  • Union momentum remains strong despite staffing shortages in the public service

    WASHINGTON –AFSCME released the following statement in response to the BLS’ annual report on union membership and earnings released today:  “It is not a surprise to see that severe staffing shortages and job vacancies in public service have contributed to a small dip in union membership. Nor would it be a surprise if these numbers – which come from… Read More

    Read More

  • Union membership numbers show momentum remains strong despite staffing shortages

    Despite soaring union momentum and worker activism, the union membership rate slipped slightly last year, federal data show. Read More

    Read More

  • U.S. Supreme Court ends Alaska governor’s political attacks against AFSCME members

    By refusing to take up an appeal by Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy, the U.S. Supreme Court handed a victory to public service workers in the state. Read More

    Read More

  • Public sector job growth is increasing, but many vacancies still remain

    It’s important to keep investing in public services, even though the sector is growing. Read More

    Read More

  • Saunders on latest jobs report: The public service is ‘on the way toward a full recovery’

    WASHINGTON — AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement in response to the U.S. economy gaining 199,000 jobs in November: “Today’s jobs report shows how far we’ve come in three years. In April 2020, during the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. economy lost a record 20.5 million jobs – including more than 900,000 in… Read More

    Read More

  • Saunders: AFSCME members mobilized their communities to elect a pro-worker majority in the Virginia legislature

    RICHMOND, Va. — AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement after voters flipped the Virginia House to elect a pro-worker majority within both chambers of the state legislature:   “Virginians made a strong, clear statement this election: We won’t give up our voice on the job. Across the commonwealth, AFSCME members mobilized their communities to… Read More

    Read More

  • Saunders: Sen. Feinstein was a pioneer and gifted legislator

    AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement on the passing of Senator Dianne Feinstein: “AFSCME mourns the loss of Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a giant of the U.S. Senate and American politics. For decades, she served California and the nation with steely toughness. She was a gifted legislator, who blazed a trail on issues like… Read More

    Read More

  • AFSCME’s Saunders: ‘UAW workers are striking for all working people

    WASHINGTON — AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement after the United Auto Workers (UAW) announced plans to expand their strike: “UAW workers are striking for all working people. For decades, insatiable corporate greed has driven billionaires to take and take and take from hardworking Americans. It’s never enough for them, and we’re sick of it.… Read More

    Read More

  • Saunders: ‘Gallup poll confirms what we’ve known for a long time: Americans believe in the power of unions to strengthen our economy’

    WASHINGTON – AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement in response to Gallup’s annual poll on labor unions:    “As we prepare to celebrate Labor Day weekend, this year’s Gallup poll confirms what we’ve known for a long time: Americans believe in the power of unions to strengthen our economy and improve the lives of… Read More

    Read More

  • AFSCME launches ‘Staff the Front Lines’ bus tour aimed at solving understaffing crisis in public service

    WASHINGTON – States, cities, towns and schools are facing an unprecedented staffing crisis, as hiring for public sector jobs has not kept pace with the private sector. In April, there were 833,000 job openings in state and local governments. In response, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) is kicking off a… Read More

    Read More

    Staff the Front Lines bus

  • AFSCME President Lee Saunders applauds ‘historic’ contract agreement for California child care workers

    AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement after Child Care Providers United (CCPU) reached a tentative contract agreement with the State of California: “This historic agreement will dramatically improve the lives of thousands of child care workers who do some of our most essential jobs. After months of standing together, CCPU members have won… Read More

    Read More

  • Saunders: Workers’ Memorial Day ‘is an important reminder of why we organize’

    AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement on Workers’ Memorial Day: “Today, we pause to honor those who were killed on the job and commit to fighting for safer workplaces in their names. “No one should lose their life or suffer injury or illness while simply trying to provide for themselves and their families.… Read More

    Read More

  • On the 55th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination, AFSCME launches I AM Story podcast

    WASHINGTON – Today, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) released the first episode of I AM Story, a new podcast detailing the history and legacy of the 1968 Memphis sanitation workers’ strike. The comprehensive series examines the origins of the strike and events leading up to the death of Dr. Martin Luther… Read More

    Read More

  • AFSCME releases new teaser trailer for upcoming podcast covering the 1968 Memphis sanitation workers’ strike

    Today, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) released a new trailer teasing the union’s upcoming podcast series, “I AM STORY.” Through interviews with the original strikers who marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and leading civil rights activists, the podcast will examine the connection between the struggles workers faced in… Read More

    Read More

  • AFSCME’s Saunders: Julie Su’s record and passion for workers’ rights demonstrate that she is an outstanding choice for Secretary of Labor

    AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement after President Joe Biden tapped Julie Su to become the next U.S. Secretary of Labor:   “Julie Su will make an excellent Secretary of Labor, and on behalf of AFSCME’s 1.4 million members, we are proud to support her nomination.   “As Californians will tell you, Su… Read More

    Read More

  • The Story of I AM: AFSCME to launch podcast series covering the legacy of the 1968 Memphis sanitation strike

    The series will feature exclusive interviews with Memphis sanitation strikers, Martin Luther King III, the Rev. James Lawson, AFSCME President Lee Saunders, and more.   WASHINGTON — This April, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) will launch an exclusive podcast series exploring the history and legacy of the 1968 Memphis sanitation strike titled… Read More

    Read More

  • Life’s better in a union: AFSCME launches union wage calculator compiling BLS data released today

    Today, upon release of the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ annual report on union membership and earnings, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) is launching a Union Wage Calculator to help workers evaluate the material benefit of having a voice on the job. At /union-wages.org, workers can enter their current salary and demographic… Read More

    Read More