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

Catch Our Latest Council 4 Unplugged Podcast

On our latest Council 4 Unplugged podcast, we discuss the statewide election and worker-focused policy priorities for the next legislative session. Our guests include two new legislators, State Representatives-Elect Kate Farrar (West Hartford) and Mike DiGiovancarlo (Waterbury), as well as Council 4 Political and Legislative Coordinators, Brian Anderson and Zak Leavy.

Biden: Union, business leaders agree that funding the front lines is ‘urgent’

President-elect Joe Biden and Vice president-elect Kamala Harris on Monday brought together business and union leaders, including AFSCME President Lee Saunders, for a virtual meeting to discuss an economic recovery agenda for the country.

Following the meeting, Biden warned of a “dark winter” ahead for the nation and highlighted consensus among the labor leaders and CEOs alike on the need to fund the front lines.

With COVID-19 Spiking, Correction Unions Call For Suspension of Social Visits

Nov. 12, 2020 

New Britain, CT—With COVID-19 spiking around the state, the unions representing more than 5,000 front-line state correctional employees today are calling on the Department of Correction to suspend social visits throughout Connecticut’s prisons. 

Veteran and Correction Officer Amplifies Message of Hope and Unity for Working People

After serving 23 years in the military, Correction Officer Robert Beamon’s usual approach to Veteran’s Day is to take it easy. However, this year felt a bit more unique.

“Veteran’s Day is my day,” said Beamon. “The only thing that is different is we have a new leader and one that I can be proud of. I believe Joe Biden is an honorable person.”

In the middle of a pandemic, Trump threatens health care for millions of Americans

It was bad enough that the Trump administration failed miserably in its response to the coronavirus pandemic, ignoring the science and failing to come up with a national strategy.

It was pathetic and tragic when Republicans in Congress failed to summon the courage to support the everyday heroes who saved our communities by funding the front lines.

Catch Our Latest "Council 4 Unplugged" Podcast

Election Day is almost here and COVID-19 has been a game-changer. On this episode, Secretary of State Denise Merrill and Local 2663 member and New Haven Alderperson Jeanette Morrison join us to talk about how they're working to engage voters ahead of Nov. 3.

Click here to listen to Council 4 Unplugged podcast (recorded Oct. 16, 2020). 

Election Day is Nov. 3. Make Your Plan To Vote!

Are You Ready to Vote?

You have real power in this election, but you must vote to make your voice heard. You have a lot of options, including mail-in voting, that are safe and secure. Use these tools to make your plan to vote on your time, at your convenience.

Worker’s For Justice TV Ad Features Council 4 Members

HARTFORD, CT — The coalition of labor unions including the Connecticut AFL-CIO, Connecticut Education Association (CEA), State Employee Bargaining Agent Coalition (SEBAC), and Connecticut Service Employee International Union State Council (CT SEIU State Council), released its second ad focusing on a People’s Recovery budget and standing in opposition to more billionaire bailouts. 

Frontline public employees featured in the ad include Department of Correction employees Sherine Bailey and Aimmee Reyes-Greaves of AFSCME Local 391 and Ginny Ligi of AFSCME Local 387.