News

We Are Going Union!

A Super Majority of Workers from Dignity Health in Merced, California voted to form their union with AFSCME Council 57, Local 2703 today! 

AFSCME Urgently Demands More Aid from Congress for States, Localities

It’s become clear that relief bills Congress has approved thus far, including the record $2.2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, won’t be enough to quell the health and economic fallout caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

What other aid should Congress provide? AFSCME has recommendations.

No Clear Path for Two Bay Area Hospital Workers

While some health care workers are knee deep in the battle to treat patients suffering from COVID-19, countless other health care workers are feeling its devastating impact, even if the places they work haven’t seen a surge in coronavirus patients.

Two of those health care workers are Jackie Garcia and Carla Cambra.

A Fragile Balance, Broken

Even a normal day at Coalinga State Hospital in Coalinga is a delicate balancing act.

For staff who work at the 1,500-patient maximum security hospital, which houses a number of sexually violent offenders—most of whom are not yet safe to enter the community—there’s no such thing as letting your guard down. Seventy-five percent of Coalinga’s patients have committed sexually violent crimes and 25% are patients with mental disorders.

Their Lives Are On The Line. Yet, ‘Public Service Workers Still Answer the Call’

Updating wills before heading into work. Extending the lives of single-use masks. Self-isolating from their own families. These are just some of the shameful realities and conditions health care workers on the front lines of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic are facing each day.

Council 57 Appoints New President

Abdul Johnson recently announced that he was stepping down as AFSCME Council 57's president, and the Executive Board voted to appoint Steve Jovel as the new president, effective April 1. Jovel has been the Council 57 vice president since 2019, and he will serve as president through the remainder of the board's two-year term. The following message is Jovel's message to the membership:

"Let me start by wishing you health and safety during the difficult time our nation is going through with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Wondering How We’re Protecting Your Rights During COVID-19? Here’s an Update

It has now been more than a week since the Bay Area announced a shelter-in-place and just about a week since the Governor followed suit due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Our offices closed starting March 16 and, to date, they remain closed. All of our staff, however, continue to work remotely. In that time, I know you have been dealing with numerous issues. I’ve said it before and I’ll keep saying it again: Thank you for the work that you are continuing to do despite the challenging, unprecedented situation.

Corrections, EMS Workers Stress Need for Resources in COVID-19 Fight

Before the announcement early Wednesday of an unprecedented $2 trillion deal to combat the coronavirus pandemic, AFSCME President Lee Saunders and three front-line workers put pressure on federal lawmakers to come through with a robust aid package for state and local governments so they can rebuild decimated public services.

Coronavirus Aid Package Falls Short. Workers Need More from Congress.

The coronavirus aid package that cleared Congress is just not good enough for public service workers. That’s the takeaway message from AFSCME President Lee Saunders.