News

State Employees' Reopener, Recruitment and Retention Agreement Approved by Appropriations Committee

State Employees' Reopener, Recruitment and Retention Agreement Approved by Appropriations Committee

Agreement will continue efforts to protect and expand our communitie

Council 4 Executive Board Elections

The regular election of AFSCME Council 4 Executive Board members took place on April 6, 2024 at our union headquarters in New Britain, CT.

The results are as follows:

Council 4 Education Scholarships

COUNCIL 4 EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS

To recognize the extraordinary efforts of our members and to foster unionism, Council 4 is offering continuing education assistance in th

Union 411: How and why we organize

As solidarity actions and strikes sweep the nation, workers are making history by organizing their workplaces for the first time.

When workers belong to a union, they have a unified voice to create safer, stronger and healthier workplaces. Organizing is our most effective tool to determine workplace dignity, hours, working conditions and quality of life. Workers aren’t stuck with dangerous workplace conditions with poor wages and benefits. They can improve them, together.

Union Members Seeking Office Remind Us To Vote Our Union Values on Election Day, Nov. 2

Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021 is election day throughout Connecticut's cities and towns. It's a day that recalls the old saying that all politics is local.  

Doug Finger of AFSCME Local 1029 (Enfield Department of Public Works) and Jen Horner of AFSCME Local 2836 (State University Organization of Administrative Faculty) understand that maxim and acting on it. 

Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act Introduced

The Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act was introduced today in the House of Representatives by Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-Pa.). The bill, which currently has 144 cosponsors, would set a minimum nationwide standard of collective bargaining rights that states must provide. It would empower workers to join together for a voice on the job not only to improve working conditions but to improve the communities in which they work.

Paraprofessionals Rallying for Dignity and Respect in Killingly

Danielson, CT, Oct. 13, 2021—Chants of "Fair Contract Now!" and "ParaPower" filled the air as more than 200 union members and community supporters packed Davis Park to rally in support of Killingly school paraprofessionals in their struggle for a fair contract.

The union difference: Greatest wealth gains are for Black and Hispanic union households

We’ve said it before: Life is better in a union. 

Workers who belong to unions make more money than their nonunion counterparts. They have better health care insurance and retirement plans, more job security and safer working conditions. They’re happier.

Workers Demand Action To Reverse Agency Staffing Shortages

SEBAC Press Conference

Oct. 5, 2021—Front-line public service workers sounded the alarm on how unsafe staffing levels that were already present prior to COVID-19 have since been aggravated by the Lamont Administration’s implementation of vaccine and testing mandates.

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:

Praising the Officers Who Defended Our Nation’s Capitol

Nearly 8 months after the attack on the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, it’s important to remember what police officers endured while defending our democracy.

One of them was attacked with a flagpole and sprayed with a chemical.

Another heard someone say, “Kill him with his own gun,” before he was dragged into the crowd, beaten unconscious and repeatedly shocked with his own Taser.

A third was verbally pelted with racial slurs over and over before he was assaulted.

A fourth was crushed in a door, bashed in the head, and nearly lost an eye.