activities · 20
what they do
direct service · 10
- Annual scholarship programs for students and members Targeted Educational ScholarshipsAwards a $2,000 renewable scholarship to high school seniors and a one-time $5,000 scholarship to AFSCME members pursuing higher education each year.
- Awards scholarships to students and members Targeted Educational ScholarshipsAnnually awards a $2,000 renewable scholarship to high school seniors and a one-time $5,000 scholarship to an AFSCME member pursuing higher education.
- Delivers essential public services during emergenciesProvides critical public services such as health care, emergency services, child care, transportation, sanitation, and public safety, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Delivery of essential public services during emergenciesProvides critical public services such as health care, emergency response, child care, transportation, sanitation, and public safety, particularly during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Local Union Financial Management Internal Financial Review & Policy OversightManages local union funds by receiving, receipting, and depositing them into FDIC-insured banks, requiring dual signatures for withdrawals, and maintaining records of receipts and disbursements. This includes preparing and submitting monthly membership reports and per capita tax payments to the International Union, and submitting annual statements of assets.
- Local Union Governance and Administration Association Governance & Financial OversightPresides over general membership and executive board meetings, appoints committees, countersigns checks, provides quarterly reports to the membership, and maintains records of meeting proceedings and official correspondence. Also serves as custodian of local union property and distributes quarterly financial reports to all divisions.
- Runs summer internship program for students of color Career Pathways Development & Workforce AlignmentOperates a summer internship program for students of color interested in social justice and workers' rights, providing experiential learning and leadership development opportunities.
- Scholarship Programs Targeted Educational ScholarshipsAwards a $2,000 renewable scholarship to high school seniors annually and a one-time $5,000 scholarship annually to an AFSCME member for higher education.
- Summer Internship Program Career Pathways Development & Workforce AlignmentRuns a summer internship program for students of color interested in social justice and workers' rights.
- Summer internship program for students of color Career Pathways Development & Workforce AlignmentRuns an annual summer internship program focused on social justice and workers' rights for students of color.
advocacy · 8
- Advocacy for Public Service Workers Collective Bargaining Agreement NegotiationSecures improved wages, benefits, and working conditions for public service workers through collective bargaining and defends workers' rights in the workplace by enforcing collective bargaining agreements.
- Collective bargaining and enforcement for public service workers Collective Bargaining Agreement NegotiationSecures improved wages, benefits, and working conditions through collective bargaining and enforces these agreements to protect member rights and working conditions in the workplace.
- Negotiates and enforces collective bargaining agreements Collective Bargaining Agreement NegotiationSecures improved wages, benefits, and working conditions for public service workers through collective bargaining and enforces these agreements to protect member rights and working conditions.
- Operates political advocacy arm (AFSCME PEOPLE) Legal & Political Advocacy for Collective Bargaining RightsRuns AFSCME PEOPLE, a political action committee that advances the union’s policy and electoral priorities.
- Political Action and Lobbying Legal & Political Advocacy for Collective Bargaining RightsOperates AFSCME PEOPLE, a political action arm of the union, to influence policy and support candidates aligned with workers' rights.
- Political advocacy through AFSCME PEOPLE Legal & Political Advocacy for Collective Bargaining RightsOperates AFSCME PEOPLE, the union's political action arm, to advance worker-focused policies and candidates.
- Provides workplace representation for workers' rights Legal Representation for Public Safety EmployeesOffers representation to defend workers' rights in the workplace, ensuring fair treatment and adherence to labor protections.
- Workplace representation for workers' rights Legal Representation for Public Safety EmployeesProvides direct representation to defend workers' rights in employment-related matters and workplace disputes.
capacity building · 2
- Conducts regular division meetings Member Meetings and ConventionsHolds monthly division meetings, occurring on either the first Thursday at 6:00 PM or the third Saturday of each month, to organize members and discuss union business.
- Regular division meetings for member engagement Member Meetings and ConventionsHolds recurring division meetings on multiple schedules (monthly in-person and remote options) to coordinate union activities and engage members.
strategies · 13
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Advocacy and political organizing for public service workers political_organizingAdvances the interests of public service workers through political and policy advocacy, including supporting pro-worker candidates, influencing elections, and opposing policies that undermine wages, benefits, and retirement security, with targeted outreach to women, youth, and veterans.
- Collective Bargaining and Workplace Representation collective_bargainingThe organization leverages the collective power of union membership to negotiate and enforce workplace protections, benefits, and rights, using formal mechanisms such as grievance procedures, bargaining units, and worker representation on safety and labor issues.
- Collective Bargaining and Workplace Representation collective_bargainingThe organization leverages the collective power of union membership to negotiate and enforce workplace protections, benefits, and rights, using formal structures such as workplace committees and grievance procedures to represent workers in bargaining, safety, and compensation matters.
- Collective bargaining and workplace representation collective_bargainingThe organization leverages the collective power of union membership to negotiate and enforce workplace protections, benefits, and rights, using formal mechanisms such as collective bargaining, grievance procedures, and worker representation on key issues including safety and compensation.
- Education and workforce advancement support education_for_workforce_advancementSupports the personal and professional development of members through scholarship programs and educational opportunities, aiming to improve long-term career and life outcomes for union members.
- Empowerment and Advancement of Marginalized Worker Groups empowerment and advocacyThe organization empowers young members, women, and veterans through targeted advocacy, leadership development, and scholarship programs that promote dignity, respect, and career advancement within the public service workforce.
- Member Engagement and Organizational Infrastructure member_engagement_through_regular_meetingsAFSCME builds and sustains union strength through structured member engagement, including regular (often monthly) meetings, workplace committees, training, education, and representative governance with transparency and financial accountability to maintain trust and operational integrity.
- Member Engagement and Organizing Infrastructure member_engagement_through_regular_meetingsThe union builds sustained member involvement through regular meetings—both in-person and remote—and through targeted organizing efforts that include training, education, and committee participation to strengthen collective action.
- Member engagement through structured organizing and education member_engagement_through_regular_meetingsEngages and organizes union members through regular meetings, workplace committees, training, and educational initiatives that build capacity for collective action and empower members to address workplace concerns.
- Political and Policy Advocacy for Public Service Workers political_advocacyAFSCME engages in political organizing and policy advocacy to influence elections and oppose legislation that undermines wages, benefits, and retirement security, framing economic protections as political choices that must be actively defended.
- Political and Policy Advocacy for Public Service Workers political_advocacyAFSCME engages in targeted political and policy advocacy to influence elections, oppose harmful legislation, and promote leaders and policies that support public service workers, with specific outreach to women, veterans, and young members to broaden impact and representation.
- Worker Safety and Rights Advocacy worker-safety-educationAFSCME prioritizes worker safety, health, and environmental conditions by advocating for safe workplaces, providing education on protective measures, and embedding safety advocacy into its core labor model, especially during public health crises.
- Workforce Development and Safety Education worker-safety-educationThe organization supports the personal and professional advancement of members through scholarship programs and prioritizes worker safety by delivering education on health, safety, and environmental protections—especially during crises like the pandemic.
named programs · 9
what they call their work
AFSCME Family Scholarship
A $2,000 renewable scholarship awarded to high school seniors each year.
AFSCME PEOPLE
The union's political action arm that fights for candidates who support public service workers and their rights.
AFSCME WOMEN
Organizes AFSCME women to advocate for rights, respect, and political influence in elections, particularly for public service workers.
Gerald W. McEntee Scholarship
A one-time $5,000 scholarship awarded annually to an AFSCME member for higher education.
Member Benefits Program
Provides AFSCME members with access to discounts and benefits through Union Plus.
Next Wave
Empowers and unites young AFSCME members in the fight for dignity, respect, and economic prosperity.
Union Plus Scholarship
Scholarship program for active and retired AFSCME members, spouses, and dependent children.
Union Scholars
A summer internship program for students of color passionate about social justice and workers’ rights.
Veterans Advocacy
Advocates for and supports activities within the local that are of special interest to veterans, including grievance support for benefits.
relationships · 9
who they work with
- AFSCME Network — AFSCME Local 449 is an affiliate of the national AFSCME organization, which offers scholarship programs to members and families.
- AFSCME Network — AFSCME Local 449 is part of the larger AFSCME national organization, accessing and sharing resources such as COVID-19 guidance.
- AFSCME Local 449 Network — Local union chapter representing Pima County employees
- El Rio Health Partner — AFSCME Local 449 represents employees at El Rio Health
- International Union Network — Submits monthly membership reports and per capita tax payments to the International Union.
- NAPE LU 61 Partner — Encourages members to follow NAPE LU 61.
- NAPE/AFSCME Partner — Partnered with NAPE/AFSCME to prevail in grievances for military veterans regarding denied benefits.
- Tucson Unified School District Partner — Represents employees working within the Tucson Unified School District
- Union Plus Partner — Provides member discounts and benefits to AFSCME members through a partnership