News

Federal funding to help vulnerable Americans in danger of getting cut

Federal money for programs and services that help millions of vulnerable Americans and employ many AFSCME members could be in jeopardy next year.

Announcing the 2023-2024 Al Church Scholarship Winners

Congratulations are in order for this year's Al Church Scholarship winners.

AFSCME members honored during Community Change event

Photo portrait of Mr. Alpha Bufford

Alpha Bufford.

MLPNA and AFSCME 65 Urge Lawmakers to Recognize the Contribution of All Frontline Workers.

Minnesota LPNs Urge Lawmakers to Include All Frontline Workers in Hero Pay Proposal.

Republican members of the committee propose excluding roughly half a million essential frontline workers from consideration for Hero Pay.

AFSCME supports lowering drug prices to help millions of Americans

When Fran Krugen’s late husband was first diagnosed with diabetes, his insulin cost about $35 a bottle.

But Krugen, an AFSCME retiree from Arizona, will never forget the day when she and her husband went to the drug store to pick up his insulin and the pharmacist told them it now cost $900 a bottle.

“This was medication he needed to live, and we had insurance,” she said at a press briefing earlier this month. “We looked at each other and had to ask ourselves: Do we make the house payment? Do we buy food? Or do we pay for his medication?”

A New Jersey member’s career grows thanks to the AFSCME Free College Benefit

The pandemic has led many of us to take stock of our lives and our goals. For AFSCME New Jersey member LaTrenda Ross, the pandemic ignited a long-held dream—starting her own life coaching business.

“I was thinking about revamping my whole entire life,” recalls Ross, a member of Local 2306. “I was looking out for things I want to do, things I haven’t been going after.”

See All of Our Great Training Opportunities for Members

Investing in You & Your Union

AFSCME Council 65 is committed to providing members like you opportunities to learn how to build a stronger, more successful union in their workplace.

Your Union is only as strong as your members. Sign up for some of the upcoming trainings below to learn how you and your union family can build more power in your workplace.

Approval of labor unions continues to rise; is highest since 1965

More Americans approve of labor unions today than at any time since 1965, according to annual Gallup poll results released around each Labor Day.

More than two-thirds of poll respondents – 68% – approved of labor unions. That means a clear majority of voters views labor unions favorably. Among adults 18-34 years of age, 77% approve of unions. Support is also high among those with annual household incomes under $40,000.

2020-2021 Al Church Scholarship Award Winners Announced

We received 86 scholarship applications for the Al Church Scholarship 2020-2021 Program. We also received additional contributions to the scholarship fund, which allowed the Scholarship Committee to expand the number of awards given. Congratulations to our winners:

Retirement of Council 65 Finance Director

Congratulations Linda Kresal!

We are at once happy and sad to announce the retirement of AFSCME Council 65’s long time Finance Director, Linda Kresal. We are excited for her new journey but saddened to see a member of our AFSCME 65 family go.  She has been an integral part of our AFSCME 65 family for over a decade and you have probably heard her friendly voice on the other end of the phone when calling with your local union’s financial questions!  She will truly be missed.