News

PORTLAND, OR – Newly sworn-in Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez recently referred to Oregon’s public defense crisis as a “work stoppage” in an OPB interview.

Workers from the Stabilization and Crisis Unit (SACU), represented by Oregon AFSCME Local 1264, have announced a vote of no confidence against Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) Direc

Benton County workers represented by AFSCME Local 2064, will continue their strike today, Friday, November 15th, for the third day.

MINNEAPOLIS – AFSCME’s Staff the Front Lines bus tour made a stop here today and featured the first hiring hall of the summer.

Minnesota House Majority Leader Jamie Long and Deputy Commissioner of Minnesota Management and Budget Erin Campbell joined members of AFSCME Council 5 and AFSCME Council 65 to encourage Minnesotans to apply for open public service jobs.

The press conference took place outside Minneapolis’ United Labor Center, where a hiring hall took place this morning. Employers from eight Minnesota state agencies attended the event.

July 18, 2023 - The horrific murder of Cascadia McCarthy Place Mental Health Aide, Haley Rogers has placed a spotlight on the issue of safety at one of Multnomah County’s mental health providers.

When contract negotiations began in May of 2023, the majority of Cascadia workers named safety as their number one concern. Frequent issues raised by members have included the scheduling of just one staff person to oversee a facility, program, or outing, in addition to a weapon risk protocol to protect staff and clients.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – AFSCME’s Staff the Front Lines national bus tour got underway Monday with a stop in this western New York city.

Mayor Malik Evans, Monroe County Executive Adam Bello and New York Assemblymember Harry Bronson joined AFSCME Council 66 members to encourage New Yorkers to apply for open public service jobs.


States, cities, towns and schools face a staffing crisis. Hiring for public service jobs has failed to keep pace with the private sector. In April, for instance, there were 833,000 job openings in state and local governments, according to data from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.

In response, AFSCME is kicking off a national bus tour this summer to recruit talented, diverse and dedicated people to staff the front lines.

Salem, Oregon — In a landmark move that signifies the power of union action, state workers represented by Oregon AFSCME have reached a tentative agreement on their new contract with the State. This agreement brings unprecedented Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) increases for the state workers amidst the rapid rise in inflation and the current statewide staffing crisis.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday rejected the Biden administration’s landmark plan to forgive up to $20,000 for millions of student loan borrowers.

In a statement, AFSCME President Lee Saunders said, “Today’s decision is yet another example of this court’s contempt for working families.”