AFSCME President Lee Saunders praised the White House’s announcement Thursday that the Biden administration will forgive student loans for an additional 78,000 borrowers — including many AFSCME mem
As a public librarian for the Philadelphia Free Library, Sheila O’Steen embodies what we think of when we imagine a public service worker. Every day, she interacts with members of her community. Whether her patrons are young or old, affluent or impoverished, O’Steen shares knowledge and information with everyone she serves.
The 1965 Voting Rights Act worked. In the years and decades that followed its implementation, the law helped minority voters make their voices heard, especially African Americans who had been discriminated against at the polls. As a result, our democracy became stronger.
But in 2013, despite bipartisan reauthorization of the law by Congress, the Supreme Court gutted it, ruling 5-4 that a key provision was no longer necessary because the Voting Rights Act had worked and the problem was fixed.
Winter brings a special set of challenges to the worklife of AFSCME Local 818 member Michael Thompson, who for the last four years has served as the Superintendent of Field Services for the New Britain Department of Public Works.
A 31-year veteran of city employment, Thompson got more added to his plate on Nov. 5, 2019, when New Britain voters elected him to serve a two-year term on the Common Council.
Thompson, who is unaffiliated, is excited to bring his union values to New Britain politics.
Despite high levels of stress on the job, many state and local workers say they highly value serving the public and their communities and feel generally satisfied with their jobs.
It's the holiday season, which means it's time for our annual Council 4 Holiday Toy Drive.
We are collecting new, unused and unwrapped toys, and gift cards, through December 13, 2019. The donations will go to our friends at the United Labor Agency, which helps Connecticut's working families in need. (If you’d like to make a monetary contribution, please make your check payable to the United Labor Agency.)
All locals, individual members and employees of Council 4 who wish to participate in this effort may bring donations to Council 4 at 444 East Main St. in New Britain.
