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Fair pay... Pass it on!

Mar. 14, 2022

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Mar. 14, 2022

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Fair pay... Pass it on!

AFSCME members at community disability agencies are standing up for a desperately needed wage increase in this year’s state budget—with language requiring employers to pass the raise directly to frontline workers.

Fair pay... Pass it on!

AFSCME calls for help for Ukraine

Mar. 07, 2022

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Mar. 07, 2022

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AFSCME calls for help for Ukraine

AFSCME Council 31 stands with the people of Ukraine against the brutal assault on their nation and their democracy.

AFSCME calls for help for Ukraine

Union members step up after tornado kills six in Illinois

Mar. 04, 2022

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Mar. 04, 2022

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Union members step up after tornado kills six in Illinois

When a massive tornado swept through the Midwest on December 10, AFSCME Local 799 members at the Madison County Emergency Management Agency helped manage logistics for the rescue effort.

Union members step up after tornado kills six in Illinois

Winning back $148,000 in unpaid wages

Mar. 01, 2022

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Mar. 01, 2022

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Winning back $148,000 in unpaid wages

AFSCME Local 1216 members at Loretto Hospital uncovered a system payroll error—more than 100 nurses had been underpaid to the tune of $148,000. Back pay returned to individual employees ranged from a few dollars to more than $10,000.

Winning back $148,000 in unpaid wages

AFSCME member’s detective skills reunite a mother and son

Mar. 01, 2022

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Mar. 01, 2022

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AFSCME member’s detective skills reunite a mother and son

“I could see the angst in her eyes,” AFSCME Local 2953 executive board member and chief steward Serbekian Minas said. “How can I not help this woman as much as I can and go the extra mile?"

AFSCME member’s detective skills reunite a mother and son

50 years after marching with MLK

Feb. 25, 2022

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Feb. 25, 2022

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50 years after marching with MLK

This Black History Month we honor the foundational contributions of Chicagoan James Riley, former sanitation worker and AFSCME member in Memphis who marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1968.

50 years after marching with MLK

Illinois-Missouri pay gap underscores the union difference

Feb. 04, 2022

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Feb. 04, 2022

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Illinois-Missouri pay gap underscores the union difference

In Illinois, state workers have a strong union voice and robust collective bargaining rights. In Missouri, their bargaining rights are restricted and unions weakened. There's a stark union difference between the two sides of the Mississippi River.

Illinois-Missouri pay gap underscores the union difference

Marlon Thomas: DSPs on the Front Lines

Jan. 25, 2022

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Jan. 25, 2022

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Marlon Thomas: DSPs on the Front Lines

Marlon and his coworkers do essential work supporting individuals with developmental disabilities at state-funded human service agencies. The median wage? Just $12 an hour. AFSCME is lobbying to raise wages and ensure they go directly to workers' pockets!

Marlon Thomas: DSPs on the Front Lines

Historic union wins at Art Institute of Chicago

Jan. 14, 2022

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Jan. 14, 2022

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Historic union wins at Art Institute of Chicago

Staff at the Art Institute of Chicago and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago voted overwhelmingly to form their union—the Art Institute of Chicago Workers United—with AFSCME Council 31 in mail-ballot elections tallied January 11 and 12.

Historic union wins at Art Institute of Chicago

Mourning a hero: AFSCME statement on DCFS employee Deidre Silas

Jan. 05, 2022

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Jan. 05, 2022

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Mourning a hero: AFSCME statement on DCFS employee Deidre Silas

"We are heartbroken at the loss of Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) investigator and AFSCME member Deidre Silas of Springfield, murdered Tuesday while responding to a report of children in danger."

Mourning a hero: AFSCME statement on DCFS employee Deidre Silas

State Vaccine Mandate Interest Arbitration—Ruling and Dissent

Jan. 02, 2022

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Jan. 02, 2022

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State Vaccine Mandate Interest Arbitration—Ruling and Dissent

On December 29 Arbitrator Edwin Benn ruled against AFSCME members in the interest arbitration regarding the State’s plan to require COVID vaccinations for employees in IDOC and IDJJ.

State Vaccine Mandate Interest Arbitration—Ruling and Dissent

Multiple ways to get COVID vaccine, booster, and testing through holiday season

Dec. 22, 2021

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Dec. 22, 2021

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Multiple ways to get COVID vaccine, booster, and testing through holiday season

Positive cases of COVID-19 are surging in Illinois at a time when family and friends gather for the holidays. IDPH is offering opportunities for residents to get tested, vaccinated or boosted in their communities.

Multiple ways to get COVID vaccine, booster, and testing through holiday season

Recent wins at the bargaining table

Dec. 15, 2021

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Dec. 15, 2021

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Recent wins at the bargaining table

We're stronger when we unite together to make our voices heard. These local unions worked together to negotiate fair contracts with their employers.

Recent wins at the bargaining table

VIDEO: We're voting yes! AICWU union election underway

Dec. 15, 2021

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Dec. 15, 2021

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VIDEO: We're voting yes! AICWU union election underway

Members of the Art Institute of Chicago Workers United (AICWU) are seeking the union difference with AFSCME. Their union vote is now underway, with mail-in ballots due in early January. This inspiring video captures the spirit of their organizing drive.

VIDEO: We're voting yes! AICWU union election underway

Solidarity blocks privatization in Rock Island

Dec. 14, 2021

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Dec. 14, 2021

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Solidarity blocks privatization in Rock Island

A yearlong fight to save Rock Island’s public water service ended in victory for the public works employees of AFSCME Local 988 when the city in September announced it would drop plans to privatize.

Solidarity blocks privatization in Rock Island

EIU workers win contract battle

Dec. 14, 2021

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Dec. 14, 2021

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EIU workers win contract battle

AFSCME Local 981 members at Eastern Illinois University fought long and hard to win a new union contract that protects their jobs and increases their wages.

EIU workers win contract battle

State pension funds benefit from big returns

Dec. 09, 2021

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Dec. 09, 2021

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State pension funds benefit from big returns

State pension funds for teachers, state employees and university employees are healthier than they’ve been in years, thanks to big investment returns.

State pension funds benefit from big returns

LaSalle Co. health dept. joins AFSCME

Dec. 06, 2021

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Dec. 06, 2021

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LaSalle Co. health dept. joins AFSCME

“They desperately needed representation and a seat at the table.”

LaSalle Co. health dept. joins AFSCME

AFSCME grows ranks in pandemic

Dec. 06, 2021

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Dec. 06, 2021

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AFSCME grows ranks in pandemic

Growth is one of AFSCME Council 31’s most vital missions. Seeking the union difference, more than 1,500 workers have organized with AFSCME Council 31 since March 2020.

AFSCME grows ranks in pandemic

Biden signs bipartisan infrastructure bill

Nov. 15, 2021

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Nov. 15, 2021

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Biden signs bipartisan infrastructure bill

President Joe Biden signed the historic bipartisan infrastructure bill on Nov. 15, bringing more than $17 billion for capital projects in Illinois.

Biden signs bipartisan infrastructure bill