“We’re all here to serve these kids and that’s our job. This is a community and we are all an important part of it.”

This September AFSCME Local 2515 members at Milestone Inc. ratified their third union contract since forming their union with AFSCME in 2014, improving wages and making no concessions.

Using interest-based negotiations for the first time, AFSCME Local 1960 at the City of Champaign settled a three-year contract in less than three months.

Employees at Homewood Public Library certified their union with AFSCME three years ago. Now, after two years of picketing, leafleting, marching and testifying for a fair contract, these new AFSCME members finally have a first contract.

After four long years, AFSCME members across Illinois are happily welcoming payment for back wages owed to them for the step increases Bruce Rauner illegally withheld.

Direct service personnel (DSPs) at Mosaic in Rockford made further gains in wages and protections in their second AFSCME contract.

Dispatchers took their case to the streets and picketed their employer about the unsafe conditions created by excessive mandatory overtime—and they won.

“We must stay engaged and mobilized, not only to protect retirement security but to ensure that the labor movement, which plays such a vital role in fighting for a fair economy, can continue to grow.”