Testimonials

Our Path Forward

To win, we will need the continued support of Tacoma and our wider community of artists and unionists across the country! Here are some DOs and DONT'S that will help guide us to victory.

Union Busting at Tacoma Art Museum

In a rushed vote, the Tacoma Art Museum Board refused to voluntarily recognize our union, TAM Workers United (TAMWU), which has over 80% support among our coworkers.

Philadelphia Museum of Art workers begin strike over unfair labor practices for better wages, benefits

Faced with the management’s refusal to remedy unfair labor practices and address workers’ major priorities during contract negotiations, AFSCME Local 397 (District Counc

WFSE Mourns Loss of Labor Attorney Anita Hunter

WFSE staff and members are mourning the death of labor attorney Anita Hunter.

Before joining the legal team at the Airline Pilots Association in 2017, Hunter was a fierce advocate for WFSE members and served as the union’s in-house general counsel for 11 years. She passed away on Friday, May 24, at the age of 49.

“The labor movement is a richer place for Anita’s contributions,” said Executive Director Greg Devereux. “She was tough, unselfish, and incredibly principled.  She will be terribly missed by us all.”

WFSE Members Gather for Rise Up! Conference

"Knowledge is power."

Two hundred WFSE activists gathered for the June 1-2 Rise Up! Conference in SeaTac. The event brought together stewards and member organizers from across Washington to share workplace wins and learn skills and best practices.

AFSCME International President Lee Saunders addressed the conference on opening day and applauded the union’s success in a post-Janus environment.

“I want to thank all of you who’ve come to this conference to upgrade your skills and become even better member leaders,” said Saunders.

Union Momentum Grows: 20,000 Nevada State Employees to Gain Collective Bargaining Rights

CARSON CITY, Nev. — Public service workers across the country lauded the passage of Nevada Senate Bill 135, which expands collective bargaining rights to over 20,000 Nevada state employees – the largest statewide expansion of collective bargaining rights in 16 years.

The bill, expected to be signed into law by Gov. Steve Sisolak, comes at a time when unions are experiencing the highest level of public support in more than a decade.

AFSCME Member Finds Valuable Assistance Through Union Plus Disability Grant

Last year, after nearly 25 years of working hard at her job at the University of Michigan, Deborah Van Horn was forced out of work by health issues and soon found herself in need of financial assistance.

“I was put on disability, but after a while you only get about 50 percent of your normal wages,” she recounts. “It was important to me to cover general expenses and keep my credit in good standing.”

In No Uncertain Terms

EMS Week is a time to recognize the sacrifices that EMS professionals make for their communities and to honor these skilled heroes who rush into danger when we need them most. AFSCME EMS professionals play an essential role in the emergency response system, but their stories—and the wounds they suffer on the job—are often overlooked.

AFSCME Celebrates Law Enforcement Week

Members of AFSCME’s law enforcement community take countless risks to keep our communities safe. When those brave heroes make the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, our obligation is to never forget them.

National Police Week is a time to honor fallen law enforcement officers, as well as a time for the law enforcement community to stand in solidarity with each other.

Protecting Nurses During National Nurses Week

During National Nurses Week, we celebrate the heroes who, with skill and compassion, care for the sick. This year, we’re honoring their hard work and dedication by supporting the Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act, a bill that seeks to raise the bar on safety standards and protect nurses from preventable incidents of violence at work.

Injured on the Job, Corrections Officer Links Safety with Collective Bargaining Rights

Safety Through Collective Bargaining Rights: Kelvin's Story

The day after he was released from a hospital, a bruised and swollen Kelvin Chung told a state Senate committee that state employees like him need collective bargaining rights to advocate for safety on the job. “I want you to see my face. We need a voice on the job, so this doesn't happen again to anyone else,” said Chung, a corrections officer.