News

Federal funding to help vulnerable Americans in danger of getting cut

Federal money for programs and services that help millions of vulnerable Americans and employ many AFSCME members could be in jeopardy next year.

Pelosi joins AFSCME in calling for state, local aid amid soaring virus cases

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday joined AFSCME President Lee Saunders and front-line public service workers from states experiencing surges in coronavirus cases to urge the Senate to approve at least $1 trillion in flexible aid to states, cities and towns.

Local 3429 Members To Represent Union At AFSCME Virtual Convention

Nominations/Election Update

Union Secretary Cheryl Alexander will join Union President Hyclis Williams as Local 3429's delegates to the upcoming AFSCME virtual convention.

Sister Alexander was nominated by email ahead of our scheduled vote.  She ran unopposed, so there is no need for an at-large election.

For the first time in our national union’s history, AFSCME will hold its biennial convention entirely online due to the coronavirus pandemic.

AFSCME Local 3429 Members Ratify New Contract

On June 25, 2020, AFSCME Local 3429 members voted 2-to-1 in favor of a tentative collective bargaining agreement agreement. The contract, which also requires the approval of the New Haven Board of Education, runs retroactively from July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2023.

The Board of Education was scheduled to vote on the contract at their July 13 meeting, but tabled the action until their July 27 meeting.

Local 3429 Members Tell Board of Education: "Honor Our Jobs"

"Think About The Paras"

The emphasis was on dignity, respect and student impact as AFSCME Local 3429 members turned out for what proved to be the last in-person meeting of the New Haven Board of Education prior to the COVID-19 shutdown.

Several paraprofessionals spoke out, including bargaining unit President Hyclis Williams and Vice President Minnie Evans, and 50-year veteran Lucille Patton.

Council 4 Unplugged Podcast: #Savethe600

Click here for our latest Council 4 Unplugged podcast. 

On this episode, recorded Aug. 12, 2020, Michele Evermore of the National Employment Law Project and Xavier Gordon of AFSCME Local 269, representing the CT Department of Labor, join us to discuss the struggles facing unemployed workers and the political fight over unemployment insurance benefits.

AFSCME joins Poor People’s Campaign virtual event, a ‘call for moral revival’

AFSCME joined a virtual gathering of the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival, a movement that seeks to shift the moral narrative of our country and build power for poor and vulnerable people.

Labor, Allies Call For Pro-Growth, Investment Budget

May 18, 2020—With COVID-19 wreaking economic havoc and threatening vital public services, a diverse group of advocates that includes Council 4 called on elected officials to restore taxes on the wealthy to help mitigate the large deficits facing the state of Connecticut.

Advocates issued their call during a zoom press conference sponsored by Connecticut AFL-CIO. Speakers included Council 4 Secretary Stacie Harries-Byrdsong.

AFSCME Praises Supreme Court Ruling Protecting LGBTQ Workers

AFSCME praised today’s ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court that extends protections under Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act to millions of LGBTQ workers.

In a statement, AFSCME President Lee Saunders said such protections are long overdue and represent an important step in the fight for equality and justice for all workers.