“A lot of our new members came away seeing what organized labor can do and how it can impact members’ benefits and rights,” local president Jack Sadrakula said. “This contract was pushed through by the entire union."

When AFSCME members at the Elk Grove Village Public Library sent their bargaining committee into negotiations in March, they were aiming high. With the help of their community, they achieved their goals.

Employees of the Niles-Maine District Library have their first union contract, and along with it, significant wage increases and—for the first time—paid parental leave.

More than 60 employees of the Newberry Library—who formed their union, Newberry Workers United/AFSCME, one year ago—have overwhelmingly voted to ratify their first union contract.

For the 54 AFSCME members at the St. Charles Public Library, their first contract ticks all the boxes—and then some.

More than 500 employees of the Art Institute of Chicago (AIC) and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) have ratified their first union contract.

For the new AFSCME members at the Waukegan Public Library, the first chapter in the story of their union ends on a high note: They’ve won a first contract guaranteeing them a strong voice on the job and fair wages.

The 90 employees of the public health department who formed their union with AFSCME in December 2021 have been at the bargaining table for more than a year.

They battled through a pandemic. Now, workers at the Logan County Health Department have won a new contract that rewards them for the good work they've done throughout the public health crisis.

Members of Local 3328 in the DuPage County Probation Department won a great contract where the smallest increase for each employee was $7,000, and the average increase for all members was 25% over the three-year life of the contract.