There ARE solutions to the affordability crisis, especially when it comes to childcare costs. States & localities are developing policies that work for working families while providing living wages & benefits for providers. My new blog post digs into the challenges & the possible paths forward.

AFSCME's archives live at the Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor & Urban Affairs at Wayne State University in Detroit. I've always loved learning and teaching about our union's history. Earlier this year I talked about that on this podcast with Reuther Library Archivist Dan Golodner.

Protecting America’s Workforce Act (PAWA) is a bipartisan bill to reverse President Trump's union-busting executive order that stripped nearly 1 million federal workers of their right to collectively bargain. Urge your Member of Congress to vote to pass the PAWA! act.aflcio.org/call_campaig...

We are 9 days until election day & there is a lot at stake for voters in Virginia, New Jersey, California, New York City and many other cities and states across the U.S. The link below is your one-stop resource for getting information on where to vote & key deadlines. #GetOrganized

Last week I was in Rochester, MN for the AFSCME Council 65 convention. A highlight was when members described the impact of federal & state legislation on their workplaces, families & communities. Tell Congress: Fund public services! Lower healthcare costs! Protect federal workers! 1-888-981-9704.

It was great to be at the AFSCME Council 5 convention in Duluth, MN last weekend. AFSCME Council 5 members displayed their pride in their union & in the public services they provide to their communities from their tee shirts & hats to their words & deeds. It's time to #GetOrganized!

Pittsburgh is a union town! It was great to be there with AFSCME Council 13 for the Labor Day Parade. The mighty green machine was out in force to support workers' rights, public services, and economic justice. #AFSCMEStrong #GetOrganized

Heading into the Labor Day weekend, polling shows that almost 70% of U.S. adults approve of unions & most would choose to join a union if they had the opportunity. That’s probably not a surprise to AFSCME activists who know the union difference. This video is a way to share that info with others!

Here's inspiration when we really need it: the breathtakingly powerful words of the children of AFSCME members. Read highlights from this year's AFSCME Family Scholarship essays -- essays about the dignity of work, the difference a union can make, the power of advocacy & the call to public service.

This weekend I joined delegates at the NE Association of Public Employees/AFSCME 61 convention. They just came off a blitz where they reached hundreds of co-workers & highlighted improvements they won in their recent contract. They are fighting & winning on issues that matter in their workplaces!

Last month I stopped at OHSU in Portland, Oregon to rally with AFSCME Local 328 members in their fight for a fair contract. It was great to show solidarity for OHSU workers! @oregonafscme.bsky.social @afscmelocal328.bsky.social

At the end of June, I joined members of Washington State Council of County & City Employees/AFSCME Council 2 at their Convention in Vancouver, Washington. It was uplifting to hear about all the organizing, educating & union building that Council 2 leaders are doing, both in Washington and Idaho.

Our campaign to stop this terrible bill goes back to the U.S. House of Representatives. Same number, same message. Call your member of Congress at 202-559-1165 and to demand NO CUTS to Medicaid and public services to fund tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy!

It was great to catch up with the AFSCME Philadelphia family at their voter registration & mobilization picnic last weekend. AFSCME District Council 33, District Council 47 & AFSCME/NUHHCE District 1199C members are working hard to elect pro-worker candidates & hold them accountable!

Every year, extreme heat puts workers in harm’s way – and the heat has arrived for 2025. Research shows that workplace heat standards protect workers and save lives. My new blog post highlights the work AFSCME is doing to advocate for heat standard regulations.

On Wednesday I rallied w/thousands of Child Care Providers United (CCPU) members on the CA capitol steps to demand fair pay & benefits for their essential work. Care workers keep our families, communities & economy going! They deserve to be treated with fairness & respect @ccpucalifornia.bsky.social

AFSCME members have kept the pressure on to stop cuts to Medicaid to pay for tax breaks for the super-rich. Now the Senate is considering cutting Medicare which provides health care for more than 65 MILLION seniors & people w/ disabilities. Call your US Senators NOW at 202-559-1165. #GetOrganized

We are turning up the dial on our message: No cuts to vital public services to pay for tax cuts for billionaires! Sign up for text alerts & stay to date on what is happening in Congress. Make sure your Senators hear from YOU so we can stop cuts to Medicaid, Medicare & SNAP #GetOrganized

Last week I joined the fight for a fair contract for members of Local 3299 at the University of California. We took it to the streets of San Francisco & the Board of Regents meeting, where 20 of us were arrested for civil disobedience. Who runs UC? We run UC! #AFSCMEStrong @afscme3299.bsky.social

Here is my blog post for Mother's Day: an appreciation of my Mom and a commitment to continue to speak out and organize in her memory.

On Workers Memorial Day, we commemorate the thousands of workers killed or injured on the job every year including AFSCME members. Let’s honor them by standing together to demand better protections on the job. act.afscme.org/letters/supp...

This week at a town hall in Iowa's first Congressional district, one first responder said: "This Medicaid cut is going to kill people." That's what's at stake for all of us. Tell your members of Congress: NO CUTS to vital public services to pay for billionaire tax breaks! afscmego.org/jointhefight

At yesterday’s rally, we raised our voices against cuts to public services to pay for billionaires’ tax breaks. AFSCME leaders from UDW/AFSCME California Local 3930 were there in force to say loud & clear to their elected officials: Congress must protect & defend Medicaid, Medicare & Social Security

Last weekend I spoke to a group of first-time candidates in the state of Virginia as part of the National Democratic Training Committee Candidate Bootcamp. They are running to make their voices heard as workers, veterans, union members & community leaders. Let's go Virginia! @traindems.bsky.social

Head Start. Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Retirement Security. Nutrition Assistance. All of these will be harmed if funding is taken away from public services that working families rely on. Call your members of Congress TODAY to stop billionaire tax breaks & save public services #getorganized

AFSCME retiree Shandala Richburg has learned through years of activism that we need to be loud to make a difference. “They say closed mouths do not get fed." AFSCME resilient retirees never quit! Read her full story: www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=...

No matter what issues he’s helping advance, which pro-worker candidates he’s mobilizing to elect, or which retirees he’s helping organize, Peter Mendoza has brought his Never Quit spirit for more than 40 years. Read Peter's story here: www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=...

No matter what we face as a union, AFSCME retiree Mary Cannon-James has a clear message: stick together. “There are so many of us that believe in unions & moving forward. We have to work together because this is about more than just ourselves.” Read the full story: www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=...

AFSCME Retiree Roman Ulman will never quit speaking up to improve workers' lives. “If you are doing well, you have a responsibility try to make sure others have a good life too. It’s the American way to work together for the benefit of others.” Read the full story: www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1...

Happy Thanksgiving to my union friends and family! Here's some gratitude for AFSCME - and all union - stewards.