News

AFSCME President Addresses Coronavirus, Calls for Member Safety

As the coronavirus (COVID-19) emerges in the United States, many AFSCME members are and will continue to be on the front lines car

At Nevada Event, AFSCME Members and Retirees Question Candidates on Priorities

On the eve of Saturday’s Nevada Democratic primary caucuses, AFSCME members and retirees gathered at a Las Vegas restaurant to hear one last time from presidential candidates on the issues that mat

A Decade Later: Four Ways Working People Are Still Paying for the 2008 Financial Crisis

It was 10 years ago this month that the 2008 financial crisis kicked into high gear. When storied Wall Street bank Lehman Brothers shut down, bankers walking out of the building carrying cardboard boxes of their possessions made the perfect image for TV cameras.

Don’t Like Wealth Inequality? Join a Union

We Are AFSCME

No politician running for office today would openly advocate for more wealth inequality in our country, where the richest 1 percent of the population owns 40 percent of the wealth. Even candidate Donald Trump in 2016 promised to stand up for the “forgotten men and women of our country,” who feel betrayed by a rigged economic system that benefits a small minority at their expense. Yet every single day, President Trump and congressional leaders seem determined to do more to increase wealth inequality than to alleviate it; do more for corporations and the wealthy than for single parents working two or three jobs to make ends meet.

Brett Kavanaugh: No R-E-S-P-E-C-T for Women’s and Workers’ Rights

Like others around the world, I mourned the death last week of Aretha Franklin. The Queen of Soul set a new standard for enduring classic songs with both artistic and political impact, like her mega-hit “Respect,” which became an anthem for both the civil rights and women’s movements.

And that song is on my mind as we embark on a week of action dedicated to shining light on the stakes for women in the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.

A Seat at the Table for EMS Workers in Prescott, Arizona

Empty table with copies of Local 2960's final contract

Photo Credit: Local 2960

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.