American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) is the largest trade union of public employees in the United States. It represents over 1.3 million public sector employees and retirees, including health care workers, corrections officers, sanitation workers, police officers, firefighters, and childcare providers.

History

AFSCME was founded in 1932, during the Great Depression, in Madison, Wisconsin. The creation of the union was driven by a group of state employees who aimed to protect civil service jobs from political patronage. Initially known as the Wisconsin State Employees Association (WSEA), it later evolved to become AFSCME. In 1936, AFSCME received a charter from the American Federation of Labor (AFL) and Arnold Zander became its first International President.

Early Growth and Activities

Initially, AFSCME focused on lobbying to strengthen civil service laws. By the end of 1936, it had around 10,000 members. The post-World War II period saw significant growth and labor unrest, with many strikes across the U.S. By 1955, AFSCME's membership had grown to over 100,000. In 1961, President John Kennedy's Executive Order 10988 legitimized collective bargaining for federal employees, creating a favorable atmosphere for similar rights in state and local governments.

Leadership and Expansion

Jerry Wurf became AFSCME's second International President in 1964 and spearheaded aggressive organizing and collective bargaining efforts. Under his leadership, AFSCME began securing significant victories in collective bargaining rights. In later years, Gerald McEntee expanded AFSCME's influence further, leading major organizing drives and fostering political activism. By the late 20th century, AFSCME had become a major force in American labor, emphasizing public employees' rights and collective bargaining.

Achievements and Current Role

Today, AFSCME is affiliated with the AFL-CIO and plays a crucial role in the U.S. labor movement. Its membership includes blue-collar and white-collar workers across various public sectors. The union actively engages in political campaigns, advocating for policies like single-payer healthcare, pension protections, minimum wage increases, and preventing job privatization. AFSCME remains a powerful voice in labor rights and social issues affecting public employees and the broader community.

Affiliations and Structure

AFSCME is divided into around 3,400 local unions across 46 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. The organization continues to grow, reflecting its commitment to improving working conditions and advocating for public service workers nationwide.