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.

Rep. Jahana Hayes Joins Council 4 In Calling For State, Local Aid

Heroes Act

With the coronavirus pandemic continuing to devastate the nation’s physical and fiscal health, U.S. Rep Jahana Hayes (CT-5) took time out to urge Council 4 members to make their voices heard in the fierce political battle to approve massive federal aid for states, cities and towns.

Speaking to Council 4’s biweekly Presidents Plus 1 meeting on Zoom earlier this month,  Hayes emphasized the importance of getting the HEROES Act, which passed the House in April, to clear the Senate.

Pelosi joins AFSCME in calling for state, local aid amid soaring virus cases

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday joined AFSCME President Lee Saunders and front-line public service workers from states experiencing surges in coronavirus cases to urge the Senate to approve at least $1 trillion in flexible aid to states, cities and towns.

Reminding Politicians That Union Members Already "Saved the State Billions"

The news media last week thrust state employees' contractual benefits into the spotlight following Governor Ned Lamont's public remarks at his daily COVD-19 (novel coronavirus) briefing. His comments further renewed attempts by Republican legislators to push for unlawfully breaking collective bargaining agreements.

AFSCME joins Poor People’s Campaign virtual event, a ‘call for moral revival’

AFSCME joined a virtual gathering of the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival, a movement that seeks to shift the moral narrative of our country and build power for poor and vulnerable people.

AFSCME Praises Supreme Court Ruling Protecting LGBTQ Workers

AFSCME praised today’s ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court that extends protections under Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act to millions of LGBTQ workers.

In a statement, AFSCME President Lee Saunders said such protections are long overdue and represent an important step in the fight for equality and justice for all workers.

Catch Our Latest Council 4 Unplugged Podcast

Congressman Joe Courtney from CT’s 2nd District joins us on Council 4 Unplugged to talk about the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and congressional efforts to secure a robust federal aid package -- an initiative we're calling "Fund. the Front Lines" -- to support our state, cities and towns. 

Click here for our latest Council 4 Unplugged podcast. 

Economists with Diverse Views Agree: Federal Aid to States, Cities, Towns Is Needed Now

Economists of diverse backgrounds, who might otherwise disagree on a range of policy issues, spoke with a single voice on Monday on the need for Congress to provide robust aid to states, cities and towns.

Such aid, they said, is crucial in the midst of an economic crisis that is decimating state and local budgets and threatening essential public services that are critical to beating the pandemic and jumpstarting the economy.

No-Cost Death & Disability Benefit for Council 4 Members

If you are an active member or retiree of Council 4 AFSCME, you can take advantage of a no-cost $4,000 Accidental Death & Dismemberment benefit.

This benefit and others listed below are provided jointly through AFSCME Council 4 and American Income Life Insurance Company (AIL), a 100% union company serving working families just like yours.