Category: City of Chicago / Cook County

A vigorous grassroots lobbying effort helped reduce number of AFSCME members who will lose their jobs after Cook CountyBoard unanimously passed a budget that included 321 layoffs.

AFSCME Council 31 Executive Director Roberta Lynch and local union leaders issued this statement on Tuesday, Nov. 14, blasting planned Cook County layoffs.

AFSCME-backed City of Chicago employee Verna Thompson was elected MEABF Trustee on Friday, October 27.

The Cook County board voted to repeal the tax on sweetened beverages, which was essential to filling the county’s gaping budget hole. Without new revenue, the county will look to service cuts and layoffs.

Nearly 1,000 AFSCME Council 31 members gathered in Springfield for our 20th Biennial Convention. We're ready to Rise Up! Watch this powerful video highlighting critical battles we've fought over the last two years—and listen to some great music too.

The U.S. Supreme Court announced that it would decide Janus v. AFSCME Council 31, a lawsuit that aims to take away the freedom of working people to join together in strong unions.

If workers don’t have the freedom to form unions, there is no front-line defense against unfair wages, harmful policies and eroding public services. That’s why America needs unions more than ever.

Awaiting a court decision on the legality of a new tax on sugary beverages, Cook County issued layoff notices to hundreds of employees in July, including more than 100 AFSCME members.

Contract negotiations are getting underway for 21 AFSCME locals in city and county government this summer. Fiscal constraints promise bargaining challenges.

The Chicago City Council overwhelmingly approved a resolution on March 29, calling on Rauner to return to the bargaining table with state workers and their unions.