Worker Recognition as Public Safety

Advocates for legislation and policy changes that benefit public service workers, including reclassifying 911 dispatchers and addressing issues with the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Also advocates for improved wages, healthcare, and working conditions for specific groups like child care providers.

AFSCME members are actively advocating for federal legislation, including the Enhancing First Response Act (S. 725) and the 911 SAVES Act (H.R. 637), to reclassify 911 dispatchers as protective service workers.

Negotiated a historic wage increase in 1969 that matched city elementary school teacher salaries for child care providers after a 17-day strike and secured a city training program to improve professional skills.

Offers hardship grants to credit cardholders facing job loss, disability, or unexpected hospital costs.

Provides education and nutrition services to children from low-income families through Head Start programs.

Provides education and nutrition services to children from low-income families through Head Start programs, supporting early childhood development and family well-being.

Organized New York City day care providers into AFSCME Local 205 in 1967 and supported the unionization of Head Start workers nationwide, establishing early models for child care worker representation.

Maintains a formal leadership structure with chief stewards and site stewards across multiple city departments, including Fire, Police, Courts, Finance, Human Services, and Public Works, to support union operations and member representation.

Filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education to challenge unlawful changes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, protecting the financial interests of public service workers.

Provides a free $30,000 life insurance policy to all Unit III members.

Provides members with various discounts on services and products, including life insurance policies, wireless plans, movie tickets, and theme park admissions. Also offers hardship grants to credit cardholders facing financial difficulties.

Provides members with discounts on wireless plans, entertainment, and other services through the AFSCME Advantage Program, including a 15% discount on AT&T wireless plans and up to 30% off movie tickets.

Provides tangible benefits to members including a free $30,000 life insurance policy, discounts on wireless plans and accessories through AT&T, reduced-price entertainment options, and hardship grants for credit cardholders facing job loss, disability, or medical emergencies.

Organizes public service workers into local unions, such as child care providers and Head Start workers, to improve their working conditions and provide representation. Holds leadership roles with named officer positions.

Represents 1.4 million public service workers across the United States who provide essential community services, including in sectors such as fire, police, human services, and public works.

Represents 1.4 million public service workers who provide essential community services across various departments and agencies.

Maintains a structured network of chief stewards, lead stewards, and site stewards across multiple city departments including Fire, Police, Courts, Human Services, Aviation, and others to support union representation at the worksite level.

Maintains a network of site stewards and chief stewards across various departments (Aviation, City Managers Office, Courts, Finance, Fire, Human Services, Library, NSD, Planning & Development, Police, Public Works, Streets, Water) to represent and support members in their workplaces.