On April 2-4, AFSCME, COGIC, and civil, human and workers’ rights leaders gathered in Memphis for a series of events to honor Dr. Martin Luther King’s legacy and the courage and sacrifice of Memphis sanitation workers who went on strike in 1968.

AFSCME has won another round in the battle for payment of step increases that Gov. Rauner has illegally frozen since July 1, 2015.

In the March 20 Illinois Primary Election, voters chose candidates best able to carry forward the fight in defense of workers’ rights in the November General Election. Union members made a big difference in these critical races!

Thousands rallied nationwide on Feb. 24 to unite for their freedom to form strong unions and against anti-union forces, honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the 50th anniversary of the Memphis sanitation workers' strike.

Governor Rauner’s proposed 2019 state budget is more of the same. The budget is fundamentally unbalanced, propped up by a series of vague and unworkable schemes resting on taking away collective bargaining rights from public employees.

AFSCME Local 1787 President Nettie Smith and Council 31 Policy Director Anne Irving testified on behalf of the nearly 350 dedicated AFSCME members at Quincy Veterans’ Home at a February 7 Joint Hearing of the Senate and House Veterans Affairs Committees.

Hundreds of delegates gathered in Springfield on Jan. 27 for the AFSCME PEOPLE Conference to set the union’s 2018 legislative agenda and formulate a plan to elect pro-worker candidates in the March primary and November general elections.

The Illinois Primary Election in March will provide an opportunity to choose those candidates best able to carry forward the fight in defense of workers’ rights in the November election. Make your voice heard and VOTE!

To honor the 50th anniversary of the tragic deaths of Echol Cole and Robert Walker that sparked off the 1968 Memphis Sanitation Workers’ Strike, AFSCME members across the country are joining in a nationwide Moment of Silence on February 1, 2018.

The labor movement lost one of its most dedicated and diligent advocates with the passing of Paul Booth on January 17. More than forty years ago, Paul helped to lay the foundation for the strong and vibrant union that AFSCME Council 31 has become today.