Category: Organizing

Despite all the challenges facing workers who want to join a union during the pandemic, the ranks of new AFSCME members are growing. On February 1, 164 employees of the 19th Circuit Chief Judge won certification of their union.

Nearly 1,000 employees of CGH Medical Center in Sterling took a big step toward realizing their goal of forming a union with AFSCMCE this week when a state labor board administrative law judge rejected objections raised by CGH management.

Getting vaccinated can prevent getting sick with COVID-19 and spreading the virus to your co-workers and loved ones.

Oak Lawn Public Library employees have formed a union with AFSCME Council 31. The nearly 80 librarians, library assistants, library associates and pages voted to join the union and filed their petition with the Illinois Labor Relations Board.

School closings have kept kids at home and, as a result, many parents—mothers in particular—are struggling to meet the needs of both their children and their jobs.

Congratulations to three children of AFSCME members—Rachel Ashley, Mary Hicks and Edward McMillian—who were awarded AFSCME Council 31’s 2020 Larry Marquardt Scholarship.

AFSCME joins in mourning the unconscionable death of George Floyd and in demanding justice for his family and an end to the contagion of racism that continues to beset our country.

April 21 is National Library Workers Day. Library workers are facing unprecedented circumstances due to the coronavirus pandemic and AFSCME members at Illinois libraries are rising to the challenge.

When the COVID-19 crisis hit, the shortage of personal protective equipment like face masks became quickly apparent. AFSCME Local 401 member Stacy Mickelson knew she could help.

The newly-enacted CARES Act requires the Education Secretary to defer student loan payments, principal and interest for six months without penalty to the borrower—and provides other forms of assistance during the coronavirus pandemic.