Why Partner with AFSCME?
Autonomous local unions.AFSCME has 3,400 local unions and 58 councils and affiliates in 46 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Every local writes its own constitution, designs its own structure, elects its own officers and sets its own dues. In fact, much of our growth historically has been through affiliating independent associations who wanted to build power for their members by joining a strong national union. Every association has a unique history and internal culture. Our structure allows us to respect and retain that while accessing the resources of a large organization for support.
We know public services. AFSCME members work in every area of public services. We draw on common experiences when we are challenged with legal, worksite, bargaining or legislative problems and find solutions together. We also pool resources to elevate staff, research, training and other activities when one of us needs support.
A rich history. Our union has a history of fighting together for workers and the services we provide - and we have a history of winning against tough odds.
We were born in 1932 out of an association of state employees in Wisconsin - an association they managed to build before public sector workers even had the right to form a union. From there, they joined up with other public employees across the country to build the strongest federation of public employees in American history.
We have fought for and won collective bargaining rights, pensions and gender pay equity. From the 1968 Sanitation Workers' Strike in Memphis, Tennessee to the Working People's Day of Action this past February, we will continue to demand respect and recognition for all public service workers.