News
Oct 11, 2024
State Board of Education employees secure “monumental” contract

For too long, low wages had been the norm at ISBE. The Local 2811 bargaining committee vowed to change that.

Oct 11, 2024
"Chalk up" Local 3236's new contract to strong action

AFSCME Local 3236 at Illinois State University has secured two strong new contracts for its clerical and health care bargaining units that can both point to a chalking action as their contract campaign’s turning point.

Oct 11, 2024
Victory follows quickly after Local 1787 pickets for safe staffing

Members of AFSCME Local 1787 at the Quincy Veterans Home took to the picket line on Sept. 4 to call out CMS for not taking the necessary steps to foster hiring at the facility. Victory followed soon after.

Oct 11, 2024
AFSCME ends DHS reliance on temporary agency staff

Now, after Council 31 prevailed in statewide arbitration, those temporary staff are being converted into permanent state employees and joining the ranks of our union—and they’re already reaping the benefits of union membership.

Sep 26, 2024
We mourn the passing of Bill Lucy

Bill Lucy, who served as secretary-treasurer of AFSCME for nearly four decades and was one of the most respected and revered Black labor leaders in the world, died at his home in Washington, D.C. He was 90 years old.

Aug 26, 2024
New! AFSCME PEOPLE Recommendations: 2024 General Election

Our votes make a difference. Vote for the candidates who will stand with AFSCME members on the issues important to us.

Aug 02, 2024
Our Safety Matters: AFSCME members in IDOC and IDHS picket for safe workplaces

When confronted with management inaction in the wake of serious assaults on staff at their facilities, AFSCME members at Menard Correctional Center and Ludeman Developmental Center both took their fight for safe working conditions to the picket line.

Aug 02, 2024
After long fight, Chicago finally reopening mental health clinics

For more than a decade, AFSCME members and allies have been fighting to rebuild the network of city-run mental health clinics that were shuttered, neglected or ignored. Now, after a relentless fight, real progress is finally being made.

Aug 01, 2024
NIU workers overcome management opposition to win fair contract

Members of AFSCME Local 963, which represents nearly 170 building and food service workers at Northern Illinois University, kept their foot on the gas pedal throughout a year-long contract campaign. In the end, their efforts paid off.

Aug 01, 2024
Local 3350’s strong contract follows strong action

As they began bargaining a new contract in early 2024, Rockford Public Library workers’ biggest priority was to expand health and safety procedures. After taking strong action, they succeeded in that goal.

Aug 01, 2024
Illinois Central bus drivers and monitors join AFSCME

The 52 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.

Aug 01, 2024
AFSCME members pack hearings on Stateville & Logan closure plans

On June 11 and 13, hundreds of AFSCME members from Locals 1866 at Stateville Correctional Center and 2073 at Logan Correctional Center made their voices heard at two COGFA community hearings on the IDOC's proposed closures of those facilities.

Aug 19, 2024
New! Register now for a Fix Tier 2 Town Hall near you

The upcoming Fix Tier 2 Town Halls are an opportunity to drive our message home with lawmakers. To do that, we'll need to pack the rooms. Find a Town Hall near you and register today!

Mar 26, 2024
Fair Tier 2: The path forward

Understanding the unfairness of Tier 2 and the challenges of fixing it

Mar 26, 2024
Tier 2: Your questions answered

How to find out if you're on a Tier 2 pension, why lawmakers are so reluctant to address pensions, and more.

May 29, 2024
Shedd workers expose anti-union campaign by aquarium’s top leadership

Employees at the Shedd Aquarium are blowing the whistle on management's anti-union misinformation and intimidation campaign.

May 31, 2024
Evanston Public Works action leads to union wins

After experiencing a sharp uptick in the number of on-the-job injuries and violations of their union contract, workers in the Evanston Public Works Department took to the picket line in an action that caught management’s attention.

May 31, 2024
Wilmington city workers look out for undervalued positions

“A lot of our new members came away seeing what organized labor can do and how it can impact members’ benefits and rights,” local president Jack Sadrakula said. “This contract was pushed through by the entire union."

May 29, 2024
Macon County conservation workers join AFSCME

The 20 employees of the Macon County Conservation District protect Macon County’s precious natural areas. Now they have a union to protect themselves.

May 24, 2024
AFSCME slams Stateville-Logan plans at hearing

At a Springfield hearing on May 10, AFSCME laid bare how detrimental the Illinois Department of Corrections’ proposed plans to close Stateville and Logan correctional centers would be for staff and individuals in custody.

For more, visit our archives.