News

Biden forgives student loans for an additional 78,000 public service workers

AFSCME President Lee Saunders praised the White House’s announcement Thursday that the Biden administration will forgive student loans for an additional 78,000 borrowers — including many AFSCME mem

Council 4 Announces Fall Training Schedule

Starting in September, Council 4 is hosting a full range of Fall trainings that will provide the skills and tools to local leaders for building stronger unions.

Here is an overview of workshop topics offered this Fall:

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.

Council 4 Comments on Employer Vaccination Mandates

For Immediate Release
Monday, Aug. 2, 2021

Council 4 Executive Director Jody Barr on Vaccine Mandates

Leukemia Survivor Inspires Union-Themed Kids Library at Council 4

Behind our union’s newly christened Cameron Wilson Children’s Library – a place for members’ children to sit and read a labor story or play games while their parents attend to union business at Council 4 – is a courageous child and his equally determined parents.

At the center of this story is 5-year-old Cameron Wilson, the son of  Jessica Wilson of Local 269 (P2 State Human & Social Services) and her husband Brendan. In 2017, doctors diagnosed Cameron with leukemia after he had just turned 2 and on the same day of his mom’s birthday.

First-Ever Council 4 Scholarship Winners Embody Our AFSCME Union Values

The future just got a little brighter – and a little more affordable – for recent high school graduates Zachary Jahn and Bryanna Vanderburgh, winners of the first-ever Council 4 Education Scholarships.

Zachary and Bryanna are ready to take the next step toward their higher education, with the momentum of the $2,000 annual award – renewable for up to four years – behind them.

Labor's Push Leads To COVID-19 Assistance Fund for Essential Workers

Organized labor’s determination to help essential workers who were made sick on the job by COVID-19 has led to the creation of the Connecticut Essential Workers COVID-19 Assistance Fund.

During the budget implementer session in mid-June, state legislators finalized the inclusion of $34 million to establish this fund to assist potentially thousands of essential workers who contracted the novel coronavirus on the job through no fault of their own.

Member Participation Fuels 2021 Legislative Successes

The cloud of COVID-19 hung heavily over the 2021 legislative session, both literally and figuratively, by the time the Connecticut General Assembly adjourned on June 9.

Despite the State Capitol remaining closed to lobbyists and members of the public, due to COVID-19, this year’s session brought several noteworthy successes that will benefit Council 4 members and working people across the state.