News

Biden forgives student loans for an additional 78,000 public service workers

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

Updates for 2018 Pension Board Election: Deadline is FRIDAY 4:00PM

2018 HOPE Endorsed Pension Board Candidates

Your HMEPS (Houston Municipal Employee Pension System) Board provides retirement, disability and survivor benefits for eligible employees of the City of Houston.

HMEPS is administered by an 11-member Board including four current and two retired City of Houston workers to serve as Elected Trustees, ensuring that the concerns of the city workers are well represented.

HOPE members recognize the importance of protecting the promise of a secure retirement. That is why the PATH (Political Action Through HOPE) committee utilized a thorough screening process to identify the candidates that would best serve on the HMEPS Board.

Your newly elected HOPE Executive Board approved the PATH recommendations as follows:

  • Sherry Mose (Current Chairman)
  • Roy W. Sanchez (Current Vice Chairman)
  • Roderick J. Newman (Current Retiree Trustee)

These three candidates have numerous years of experience fighting to make sure the Pension is secure for the many City of Houston current and former workers who will depend on the promised benefits. 

Click here for more information about you HMEPS Board of Trustees.

For Working Women, This is Not a Close Call

The Janus case was an attempt to deliver a knockout blow to millions of working people and their families who looked to the Supreme Court as an independent institution that advances equal rights and fundamental freedoms for all.

2018 Meet and Confer Ratification Schedule

HOPE members now have the opportunity to ratify their new 2018 Meet and Confer Agreement.

On Friday, June 8th, representatives from the City of Houston and your HOPE Bargaining team reached an agreement for the 2018 Meet and Confer Agreement.

The Agreement includes a 3% Across-the-Board Wage Increase for FY 2019, Dispute Resolution Procedure protections, and many other policy improvements that will positively impact ALL City of Houston workers. Follow the link below to see both the summary and the full agreement.

 https://www.hopetx.org/2018-meet-and-confer-agreement-ratification

‘We Wouldn’t Have Anything If It Weren’t for Our Union’

When he first took a job at the Centralia Correctional Center in Illinois, Keith Kracht knew that a career in public service wouldn’t make him a millionaire. But then again, that’s not why he went into public service.

AFSCME to Trump: Federal Workers Deserve Respect

AFSCME President Lee Saunders lashed out at the Trump administration after President Donald Trump signed a series of executive orders to make it easier to fire federal workers and weaken their unions.

Scam Alert: State Policy Network

Don't fall for the scam.

This is the AFSCME Agenda

When AFSCME members stand together, we have power in numbers. Together, we can defend our freedom to take our loved ones to the doctor when they get sick and retire with dignity some day. Together, we have the power to make our voices heard at work and in our democracy. That’s our AFSCME Agenda.

Public Service Workers Need Unions More than Ever

Public service workers across the country are losing their foothold in the middle class. So says an article in The New York Times this week that serves as a reminder of why labor unions are more needed now than ever.