Columns dating to July 2014 and earlier were written by retired Executive Director Henry Bayer.
Instead of inflation, what we’re experiencing is better called corporate “greedflation.”
That's the AFSCME way.
Carrying on their struggle for dignity
Unity. A common purpose. Power in numbers.
Respect and fairness—that's as basic as it gets. And that's what it's all about.
Workers are demanding a bigger slice of the pie
Passing on union values
We are determined to keep up the fight for human working conditions.
We’re driving them crazy! Or driving them out of town—way out!
Our best hope of remaining a democracy governed by the rule of law and responsive to the interests of the majority rather than an oligarchy is to build the power, including the political power, of the labor movement.
Union rights are human rights. We’re working every day to strengthen and expand them. Voting ‘yes’ for the Workers’ Rights Amendment is one critical way to affirm just how fundamental collective bargaining is to our democracy.
The simple reality is that the State of Illinois budget is essential to the wellbeing of just about every AFSCME member in our state.
Anti-union forces seek to divide and conquer
Tough times test even the strongest bonds. The coronavirus may be our toughest fight.
Union efforts make a difference at State Capitol
AFSCME members are ready to rebuild together.
We can face down our fears and summon the courage to move forward.
Solidarity is the foundation on which the American labor movement is built. In the recognition of our shared struggles and our shared hopes lies the truest potential for our shared progress.
Fair tax vote culminates years of groundwork
Our legacy: AFSCME stands for the rights of all
Coronavirus pandemic tests us all
Building stronger unions helps lift us all up—we cannot be complacent.
What a year 2019 has been for public service employees in Illinois.
Serious, life-changing injuries on the job happen almost daily for public service workers. AFSCME is fighting back against careless or indifferent management practices that place little value on the health and safety of frontline employees.
Nothing has gone as the IPI or Bruce Rauner planned. We stood our ground and would not be moved.
Our union grew stronger during the long, hard winter of Rauner’s reign. We're beginning anew.
Growth in union membership and activism has continued, even intensified, in the wake of the US Supreme Court ruling in the Janus case last June, which was widely predicted to herald the demise of public sector unions.
When an incumbent governor loses by 15 points—something that hasn’t happened in Illinois since 1948—voters are doing more than picking a candidate. They are choosing sides.
JB Pritzker and Juliana Stratton have a strong campaign, but we have to do our part.
As union members all across America face a new reality—a Supreme Court ruling in the Janus case that greatly strengthens the hand of the rich and powerful—I find myself thinking back on the challenges overcome and of those who came before in our movement.
Unions help set the standards for education, skill levels, wages, working conditions and quality of life.
He’s blind to the demands and dangers many public employees face every day. This is the year we can set a better course if we are united and determined.
Rauner-backed Illinois Policy Institute laying groundwork for massive anti-union campaign.
Janus v. AFSCME is the latest plot to rig our economy against us.
If we want to defeat Rauner, we have to stand against the politics of resentment and division.
The byzantine and truly bizarre budget battles of these past months have left everyone from average citizens to astute political observers increasingly irate. And at long last, the blame is landing right where it belongs—at Bruce Rauner’s doorstep.
Rauner’s sowing cynicism among voters—and that suits him just fine.
The fiercely anti-union takeover of the Republican Party
We have to face the harsh reality that our state has a governor who is determined to drive down the wages and strip the rights of all working people.
The Illinois Policy Institute plays a critical role in Rauner’s web of deception.
This Labor Day, let’s recall the dedication of the workers who came before us, who refused to bow down or be walked on, who took risks to uphold their basic rights, who built strong unions not just for themselves but for all of those who came after.
“If protesting solved problems, Illinois wouldn’t have any problems.” That’s what Gov. Rauner said in response to the 10,000 concerned citizens who journeyed to the state capital on May 18 to express their opposition to his “Turnaround Agenda.”
Fair pay and a voice on the job make for safer, more secure prisons. Bruce Rauner’s out to change that.
Unions faced with unprecedented assault in high court
By reaching out to our communities, we can help turn the tide against the Turnaround and move Illinois forward.
Far from the villains that billionaire governor Bruce Rauner makes them out to be, Illinois' vital public servants make our state a better place.
Unions are under assault by an elite that seeks to consolidate wealth and power
Gov. Rauner’s trying to compel elected officials to ignore the will of their constituents and the needs of their communities.
Trying to shut out working families
When attacks on retirement security came to Illinois, public employees fought back
Bruce Rauner wants to swamp public employee unions – let’s make sure he doesn’t get the chance
Henry Bayer looks back on his time as Executive Director – and at the challenges ahead
A new – and dangerous – brand of Republican
A fair tax would lower rates for most while meeting the state's needs
If Bruce Rauner wants to run Illinois like he ran his companies, we’ll all be the worse for it
Don't believe the GOP frontrunner's folksy image – he's out to take away pensions and destroy public employee unions in Illinois
The wealthy elite are spending millions to destroy the labor movement. We can't let that threat go unanswered.
Attacks on public service workers aren’t about equality. They’re about weakening the middle class.
Democrats govern in both Springfield and St. Paul, but with very different results.
Those obsessed with cutting government spending are ignoring history – and the needs of the middle class.
The president wants to rebuild the middle class. That can’t happen without stronger unions.
Workers and retirees must turn out in force to defend their retirement security.
Obama's steady hand outweighs Romney's constant flipflops
If Mitt Romney is our next president we'll be heading backward union rights will be under far greater attack than anything we've seen thus far, driving wages and the middle class down even further. There's only one choice on Nov. 6.
Public employees don't deserve the attacks we're getting
It's our retirement security at stake.
Millions in tax breaks yield deep state budget cuts
As state budget crisis deepens, more giveaways to the 1%.
We have to talk about the economic and social value of the services we provide.
Illinois attacks come on heels of assaults in Wisconsin and other states
The Mercedes drivers will roll over us if we let them
But public employees' defense scores a big win. This problem will not be solved on the backs of union members.
Corporate dollars are paying for attacks on public employees and the middle class
Attacks on unions won't stop until we stop them
We didn't make the problem, but we've got to help solve it.
The holidays brought a bonanza of tax breaks to the non-needy.The rich and powerful on Wall Street celebrated with their stockings brimming and no space left under the tree for any more gifts.
The Republican wave will not deliver what voters were seeking.
The senator has a record we can't ignore, including votes to cut pensions of all new hires -- state university, local government and school board -- and he supports cutting them for current employees, too.
The U.S. Senate candidate flipped on jobs bill; and that's a flop
Service cuts curry favor with his well-heeled friends
Those promoting a better education are trying to cut the wages and benefits of those who get one.
Legislative leaders ram through pension cuts
Government can't meet people's needs without tax dollars
We have to march in lock step to push for new revenues
State services won't be delivered without new revenues
Far from the villains that billionaire governor Bruce Rauner makes them out to be, Illinois' vital public servants make our state a better place.
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