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.

Announcing the 2022 Al Church Scholarship Winners

Congratulations are in order for this year's Al Church Scholarship award winners.  This year, we received a record number of applications. Thanks to our generous donors, the scholarship committee was able to award $4,000.00 in total to students of our members pursuing their post-secondary educational goals.

2022 Winners:

Family members of Council 65 members Win National Scholarships

AFSCME Family Scholarship

Elizabeth Merdan, daughter of Local 748 member Susan Merdan, is one of 12 winners of the 2022 AFSCME Family Scholarship. Winners receive $2,000.00 each year for up to four years to put towards their education.

A union voice can help address burnout among health care workers nationwide

The COVID-19 pandemic arrived at a time when our nation’s health care workers were already experiencing burnout. The National Academy of Medicine, in a report from 2019, said that 35% to 54% of nurses and physicians in the United States had “substantial symptoms of burnout.”

Then things got worse.

AFSCME Members, Family Members Awarded 2022 Union Plus Scholarships

Congratulations are in order for the 27 AFSCME Union Plus Scholarship winners. They are:

South Dakota Amendment C

Amendment C is an attempt to silence the voters of South Dakota.

Amendment C is a brazen attempt to remove the power of the people in South Dakota. Since the founding of our state, residents have had a direct say in government through ballot measures. Through these measures, voters have consistently held politicians accountable by directly voting on issues important for South Dakota. 

AFSCME members honor Mental Health Awareness Month, reflect on changing industry

CJ Alicandro (left) is pictured with a few of their colleagues. Photo credit: AFSCME Council 75.

CJ Alicandro (left) is pictured with a few of their colleagues. Photo credit: AFSCME Council 75.

American Red Cross workers, including AFSCME members, rally for fair contract

American Red Cross (ARC) workers, including many AFSCME members, are rallying this week in cities nationwide to fight back against mistreatment from their employer and demand a fair contract. The protests are being held in Washington; Lansing, Michigan; Peoria, Illinois; Hartford, Connecticut; Pomona, California; and San Diego.

Overlooked by management during the pandemic, Red Cross workers fight for a fair contract

They collect, protect and deliver our nation’s blood supply, yet the almost 3,000 American Red Cross workers are not being paid what they deserve, lack the staff to do their jobs effectively, face cuts to their health care and, over the course of the pandemic, have often gone without pay and adequate personal protective equipment (PPE).