Hear From AFSCME Members
“The truth is we need more workers to ensure that our environment remains pristine. These are good union jobs that you will fall in love with. Imagine watching the sun set over Lake Michigan at the end of every shift. No other job compares to this.”
Jacob BrownLead Worker 9
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
MSEA
“Working in public service has given me the ability to grow and build a career I never could’ve imagined. Every day, I get to give back to my community, and with a career in public service, you can too.”
Tim DouglassBoat Operator / Captain
City of San Diego
Local 127
“To keep our communities safe, healthy and strong – we need you. Being a bedside nurse is one of the most important and most rewarding jobs you could possibly do in your lifetime. This is on top of amazing health care and retirement benefits, which truly allow you to take care of your own family as you take care of others.”
Marilyn AnthonyRegistered Nurse
City of San Diego
CHCA District 1199, NUHHCE
“During the pandemic, there was so much need. People depended on us to get them tested and vaccinated. Even though we were overwhelmed and understaffed, I always reminded myself that we are the only access to health care that some people might have. I care about showing up for them.”
Wendy SmithCommunity Health Nurse
AFSCME Local 558
I’m committed to taking care of my patients, that’s what keeps me going. But the staffing crisis is taking its toll. Some of us are working 16 hours straight with no breaks. We want to do everything we can for our patients, and I know we could if we had enough people on the job.
Crosby SmithCare Provider
Council 31
AFSCME Local 2645
We’re out in the field every day, working one-on-one with kids to ensure they’re safe. But we’re losing staff, which means kids in need are losing these crucial home visits. We can’t allow them to be left behind. We need more people in the community doing this essential work.
Heather BurkeSocial Case Worker
Council 18
AFSCME Local 3927
When there is a crisis like COVID-19 or Hurricane Ian, the caseload increases, and the short staffing becomes even more of a challenge. We work overtime and weekends to try to assist because the need does not stop. It makes it hard to retain employees. Our communities deserve better.
Sheron MickensHearing Specialist
Council 79
AFSCME Local 3076
“We are facing a shortage of 911 dispatchers. We’ve adjusted to ensure the people of Rochester are not met with a hold tone – but we need help. If you apply for a job in public service, you won’t regret it. There is no work that is more rewarding or valuable.”
Tawanda Ciccone911 Dispatcher
City of Rochester
Council 66, Local 1635
“The beautiful thing about public service is that it doesn’t matter how old or how young you are or where you come from. If you have a passion to serve your community, you can do this work. That is why public service often reflects the diversity of the communities we serve.”
Sue BoscoMedical Assistance Program Technician
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
Council 13
“As a corrections officer, you got to be a doctor, a psychiatrist, a social worker, a chaplain, and sometimes you got to be a momma. We do everything we can to help folks get through a difficult situation, but there’s only so many of us. We need back up.”
Shirley EbyCorrectional Captain
Council 17
AFSCME Local 2702
About Staff the Front Lines
Across the country, states, cities, towns and schools face severe staffing shortages. Public service workers are on the job around the clock, caring for our communities and responding to emergencies. But they need help.
Through important legislation like the American Rescue Plan, the Biden Administration provided direct relief to working families and secured historic investments for our communities that brought our economy back from the brink and kept essential workers on the job.
But this legislation was only the first step on our path to recovery.
For decades, public services have been understaffed. To address this crisis, AFSCME members are organizing together to Staff the Front Lines. We are working with governors, mayors, city council members and other leaders to urge them to invest in public service workers and recruit qualified and passionate people to work in public service. Our communities are counting on us.
Stories from the Front Lines
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HGEA launches ad campaign to help stem staffing crisis
HGEA has launched a new ad campaign to help stem Hawaii’s staffing crisis. Read More
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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
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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
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AFSCME backs bill to strengthen our country’s public health nursing workforce
AFSCME supports the Public Health Nursing Act, federal legislation to help public health departments recruit, hire, train and pay registered nurses. Read More
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