Thousands of public service workers—members of AFSCME and our allied unions in the We Are One Illinois coalition—gathered in Springfield on Nov. 13 to demand lawmakers fix the broken and unfair Tier 2 pension system.

As they began bargaining a new contract in early 2024, Rockford Public Library workers’ biggest priority was to expand health and safety procedures. After taking strong action, they succeeded in that goal.

The 52 school bus drivers and monitors from the Illinois Central bus company near Peoria have seen what AFSCME has accomplished for other school bus drivers in their region.

The upcoming Fix Tier 2 Town Halls are an opportunity to drive our message home with lawmakers. To do that, we'll need to pack the rooms. Find a Town Hall near you and register today!

Understanding the unfairness of Tier 2 and the challenges of fixing it

How to find out if you're on a Tier 2 pension, why lawmakers are so reluctant to address pensions, and more.

After experiencing a sharp uptick in the number of on-the-job injuries and violations of their union contract, workers in the Evanston Public Works Department took to the picket line in an action that caught management’s attention.

“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."

The 20 employees of the Macon County Conservation District protect Macon County’s precious natural areas. Now they have a union to protect themselves.

After a DeKalb resident had given up hope of finding a family heirloom he lost after a slip on winter snow, David Block, a member of AFSCME Local 813, returned it against all odds.