News

Report: Cultural institutions took federal money but still let go of workers

Some of the nation’s largest cultural institutions accepted more than $1.6 billion in federal help to weather the coronavirus pandemic, but continued to let go of workers – even though the assistan

AFSCME supports lowering drug prices to help millions of Americans

When Fran Krugen’s late husband was first diagnosed with diabetes, his insulin cost about $35 a bottle.

A New Jersey member’s career grows thanks to the AFSCME Free College Benefit

The pandemic has led many of us to take stock of our lives and our goals. For AFSCME New Jersey member LaTrenda Ross, the pandemic ignited a long-held dream—starting her own life coaching business.

“I was thinking about revamping my whole entire life,” recalls Ross, a member of Local 2306. “I was looking out for things I want to do, things I haven’t been going after.”

Approval of labor unions continues to rise; is highest since 1965

More Americans approve of labor unions today than at any time since 1965, according to annual Gallup poll results released around each Labor Day.

More than two-thirds of poll respondents – 68% – approved of labor unions. That means a clear majority of voters views labor unions favorably. Among adults 18-34 years of age, 77% approve of unions. Support is also high among those with annual household incomes under $40,000.

AFSCME New Jersey Responds to Governor Murphy's Announcement on Mandatory Vaccines

Meet Everyday Hero, Toni Wright

Meet Toni Wright, a member of Local 888 at Rutgers University and recipient of AFSCME New Jersey's Everyday Heroes Award. Toni has always felt called to serve her community, but it wasn't until a knock at the door of the church this year where she lives with her husband that she was compelled to create a regular food pantry for the members of her neighborhod and beyond.

To honor those who died on the job, give every worker a voice in the workplace

Workers Memorial Day 2021 arrives at a moment of the greatest urgency, when the front lines of the war against COVID-19 run through America’s workplaces.

AFSCME applauds House passage of workplace violence bill

Workers in health care and social service industries are a big step closer to having safer workplaces.

On Friday, the House of Representatives passed the Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act (H.R.1195) by a bipartisan vote of 254 to 166. The bill requires the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to issue a standard to prevent workplace violence in health care and social service assistance settings.

Meet Everyday Hero, Patricia Johnson

Meet Patricia Johnson, a member of Local 2779 Child Care Workers Union and recipient of AFSCME New Jersey's Everyday Heroes Award. Pat is an in-home child care provider who was forced to close her home to the kids she loves at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Value the work of AFSCME library workers

On this National Library Workers Day, AFSCME library workers deserve to be recognized for the value they bring to our diverse communities and the vital services they provide anyone who asks for help.