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AFSCME PEOPLE Endorsements: March 17 Primary Election

When we vote together, we have the power to elect leaders who value public services and will stand up for working people.

AFSCME PEOPLE Endorsements: March 17 Primary Election

AFSCME files lawsuit to prevent gutting of FEMA

AFSCME, along with a broad coalition of labor unions, nonprofit organizations, and local governments, has filed a new lawsuit opposing the Trump administration’s plan to drastically cut staffing at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). 

AFSCME files lawsuit to prevent gutting of FEMA

Adler Planetarium workers set to begin bargaining after voting 'Union YES!'

Workers at the Adler Planetarium overwhelmingly voted “Union Yes!” in an election held on Dec. 11. Now, with their union officially certified by the National Labor Relations Board, they’re getting ready to hit the bargaining table to negotiate their first union contract.

Adler Planetarium workers set to begin bargaining after voting 'Union YES!'

Federal funding freeze threatens vital services and jobs

The Trump administration has announced plans to “freeze” nearly $10 billion in federal social services funding, targeting Illinois and four other states. Thus far, there has been no indication of when the freeze will go into effect or how long it will last.  

Federal funding freeze threatens vital services and jobs

Museum of Science and Industry workers win higher wages in first contract

Employees of the Museum of Science & Industry have won significant wage increases, holiday pay, and other improvements in their first union contract.

Museum of Science and Industry workers win higher wages in first contract

Office of State Appellate Defender attorneys forming union with AFSCME

Attorneys in the Illinois Office of the State Appellate Defender (OSAD) are joining AFSCME Council 31.

OSAD attorneys are court-appointed to represent indigent persons on appeal in criminal cases, ensuring every person’s Sixth Amendment right to counsel.

Office of State Appellate Defender attorneys forming union with AFSCME

AFSCME-backed lawsuit forces reinstatement of federal museum and library funding

The federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) will release millions in grant funding to libraries and museums it was withholding.

AFSCME-backed lawsuit forces reinstatement of federal museum and library funding

New study shows Illinois may lose 86,000 jobs due to Trump cuts

By the end of President Trump’s term, the current wave of project cancellations, funding cuts, mass federal firings, and cuts to public health, nutrition, infrastructure, education, and other programs will shrink Illinois’ economy by $10 billion per year and result in the loss of 86,000 jobs.

New study shows Illinois may lose 86,000 jobs due to Trump cuts

Mail scanning: It’s finally here

Mail scanning is now fully operational at every single state prison.

Mail scanning: It’s finally here

IL Central bus drivers and monitors step up with new contract

The 50 school bus drivers and monitors from the Illinois Central bus company near Peoria have seen what AFSCME has accomplished for other school bus drivers in their region. 

IL Central bus drivers and monitors step up with new contract

NEIU workers win “life-changing” contract

As members of AFSCME Local 1989 at Northeastern Illinois University entered contract negotiations in 2024, they weren’t feeling like management respected the important work they do.

NEIU workers win “life-changing” contract

Federal workers win as judge further halts Trump’s shutdown layoffs

Federal workers and their unions won big this week as a federal judge extended her order barring the Trump administration from firing federal workers because of the government shutdown. 

Federal workers win as judge further halts Trump’s shutdown layoffs

Public employees: Punching bags for billionaires?

Public employees: Punching bags for billionaires?

Government shutdown hits 4th week as crisis hits Illinois

Nearly four weeks ago, the Trump administration and its yes-men and women in Congress shut down the government. And the American people are paying the price.

Government shutdown hits 4th week as crisis hits Illinois

All In: 24th Biennial Council 31 Convention charts our course forward

Some 500 delegates, along with alternates and guests, gathered in Springfield for Council 31's 24th Biennial Convention over the weekend of October 16-18.

All In: 24th Biennial Council 31 Convention charts our course forward

AFSCME International Never Quit winner is a ‘positive light in a crazy dark world’

Devin Knox considers himself a wealthy person.

“Every day, I feel like I’m walking around with one of those big checks for a hundred thousand dollars,” said Knox, a member of AFSCME Local 1805.

AFSCME International Never Quit winner is a ‘positive light in a crazy dark world’

Health care costs will skyrocket. Tell Congress to lower them!

The so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” hands out massive tax cuts to the top 1%. To pay for them, this budget plan cuts nearly $1 trillion in federal funding for health care over the next 10 years.

Health care costs will skyrocket. Tell Congress to lower them!

Museum of Science and Industry employees vote to authorize strike

Museum of Science & Industry (MSI) employees represented by AFSCME Council 31 announced on Sept. 23 that they have voted to authorize a strike if necessary.

Museum of Science and Industry employees vote to authorize strike

Champaign Public Library employees unanimously vote UNION YES!

Workers at the Champaign Public Library voted unanimously to form their union with AFSCME Council 31 in a union election held on Jan. 15.

Champaign Public Library Workers Union/AFSCME will now represent more than 100 frontline CPL employees.

Champaign Public Library employees unanimously vote UNION YES!

"Troops have no place in our neighborhoods"

“As a union of working people in the public service, AFSCME Council 31 values unity, democracy, and strong communities. The threat to deploy armed forces on the streets of Chicago stands in direct opposition to those values," executive director Roberta Lynch said.

"Troops have no place in our neighborhoods"