News

AFSCME-backed bill would help child care providers with food costs

AFSCME supports a proposal in Congress to ease the financial burden on child care professionals who provide meals and snacks.

AFSCME members from across the country are sharing their stories of progress over the last two years.

The last two years have been full of challenges.

But under the leadership of the Biden administration and this Congress, we are turning a corner. There have been unprecedented investments in public services and public service jobs. Millions will see the price of life-saving prescription drugs come down. Millions more will receive relief from unfair student debt. And the wealthy are finally starting to pay their fair share.

To be sure, there is more work to be done. But if we continue this progress, we will have many more reasons to be optimistic about the future.

Register, book hotel for 2023 biennial conference

To book online, please use this link.
Or call Marriott Reservations:  1-888-236-2427
Group Name: AFSCME Council 4 Conference, or code FSCFSCA

Philadelphia Museum of Art workers begin strike over unfair labor practices for better wages, benefits

Faced with the management’s refusal to remedy unfair labor practices and address workers’ major priorities during contract negotiations, AFSCME Local 397 (District Council 47) – the Philadelphia Museum of Art Union (PMAU) – began a museum-wide strike Monday.

AFSCME partners to host webinars on public service loan forgiveness

AFSCME is committed to helping you get the student debt relief you deserve.

Thanks to the Biden administration, millions of public service workers, including AFSCME members, are eligible for student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program or (PSLF). And even more public service workers are eligible under a temporary waiver that expires Oct. 31, 2022. 

Public Student Loan Forgiveness: Info and Resources

The cost of college increased tenfold since the 1970s. Meanwhile, the top 1% graduate debt-free and politicians continue to choose corporate tax breaks over funding for higher education.

Having college debt could mean having to put off saving for your own child’s college because you’re still paying for your own college debt. Or maybe you are having trouble paying your monthly bills because of a high monthly student loan payment.

As workers organize from coast to coast, approval of labor unions continues to rise

Graph of the Gallup poll.

As workers continue to organize throughout the country – from cultural institutions to 

Upcoming member trainings, workshops announced

Council 4 AFSCME offers a variety trainings and workshops to our members and recently announced several events scheduled for September through December.

Topics include multi-part trainings for Class 1 and Class 2 stewards, a look at the roles and responsibilities of local officers, workers' comp, duty of fair representation, new member outreach for leaders, tips for running an effective meeting, new laws that public sector employers are required to follow, a review of the Freedom of Information Act and a special estate planning workshop for members and guests with lunch provided.

Remembering Council 4 Service Rep Bob Parziale, 1960-2022

The Council 4 union family suffered a terrible loss with the death of Service Representative Robert “Bob” Parziale, who died unexpectedly June 18 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Waterbury. He was 61.

“Parz,” as he was routinely and affectionately called, joined Council 4 in 2008 after a 20-plus year career as a state correction officer.