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.

First Aid, CPR & AED trainings offered

AFSCME offers First Aid, CPR & AED trainings that are certified by the American Red Cross (ARC). 

Overlooked by management during the pandemic, Red Cross workers fight for a fair contract

They collect, protect and deliver our nation’s blood supply, yet the almost 3,000 American Red Cross workers are not being paid what they deserve, lack the staff to do their jobs effectively, face cuts to their health care and, over the course of the pandemic, have often gone without pay and adequate personal protective equipment (PPE).

Historic SEBAC agreement is voted favorably out of the Senate floor

Following the bipartisan majority vote in the House Thursday, we are proud to see the Senate successfully vote for the State Employees Bargaining Agent Coalition (SEBAC) contract.

Council 4 Announces 2022 Education Scholarships

To recognize the extraordinary efforts of our members and to foster unionism, Council 4 is offering continuing education assistance in the form of a $2,000 per year scholarship for up to four years (max $8,000) to dependents of Council 4 members and retirees.  Each year, the Council 4 Scholarship Committee will select two students to award a $2,000 scholarship that will be paid to the school of the winners.  Winners are eligible for up to four consecutive years by doing a brief presentation to the executive board.

Biden administration extends pause on student loan repayment

Good news for federal student loan borrowers: This month, the Biden administration again extended the pause on student debt repayment – this time through Aug. 31.

Education Scholarships

COUNCIL 4 EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS (***NO LONGER ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR 2024, CHECK BACK APRIL 2025 OR SCROLL DOWN FOR OTHER UNION SCHOLARSHIPS)

To recognize the extraordinary efforts of our members and to foster unionism, Council 4 is offering continuing education assistance in the form of a $2,000 per year scholarship for up to four years (max $8,000) to dependents of Council 4 members and retirees. 

Unions, allies release critiques of Yankee Institute

Opponents of the Yankee Institute for Public Policy released two reports last week exposing the right-wing think tank's malevolent anti-union motivations and shadowy funding sources.

Recovery For All — a statewide coalition of 58 community, labor and faith organizations, including Council 4 AFSCME — convened a virtual press conference April 6 with leaders from the state legislature, clergy, community groups and labor organizations to announce the release of two new reports critiquing the Hartford-based Yankee Institute.

Council 4 Convention Recap: Officers and Vice Presidents Elected

Council 4 concluded its 29th Biennial Convention on April 9, 2022 at our union headquarters in New Britain.

As a precursor to the Convention, the Council 4 Delegate Assembly met on Feb. 24 (also at Council 4) to accept nominations for the Executive Board Officers as follows:

Executive Director, AFSCME Council 4 Executive Board
President, AFSCME Council 4 Executive Board
Secretary, AFSCME Council 4 Executive Board

Vice Presidents, AFSCME Council 4 Executive Board:

AFSCME celebrates Jackson’s confirmation; Saunders calls it ‘a watershed moment’

AFSCME members and working families are celebrating the Supreme Court confirmation of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, whose life experience and extraordinary legal career make her uniquely attuned to the challenges working people face.

The Senate confirmed Jackson today by a vote of 53-47. President Joe Biden nominated her as associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court in February after Justice Stephen Breyer announced his retirement.