American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees

Overview

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) is the largest trade union of public employees in the United States. Founded in 1932 during the Great Depression, AFSCME represents over 1.3 million public sector employees and retirees, including healthcare workers, corrections officers, sanitation workers, police officers, firefighters, and childcare providers. It is an integral part of the AFL–CIO, one of the two major labor federations in the U.S.

History

AFSCME was initially formed as the Wisconsin State Employees Association (WSEA) in Madison, Wisconsin, with the primary goal of protecting civil service jobs from political patronage. This initiative grew into a national movement, and by 1935, similar employee associations had emerged in several states. In 1936, the American Federation of Labor (AFL) granted AFSCME a charter, with Arnold Zander becoming its first International President. Initially, AFSCME focused on lobbying for civil service laws and protecting public employees' rights.

Throughout its history, AFSCME has played a significant role in pushing for collective bargaining rights for public employees. Key milestones include the AFL-CIO merger in 1955, which helped AFSCME expand its membership. In the 1960s, under the leadership of Jerry Wurf, AFSCME became a leading force in winning collective bargaining rights, particularly after President John F. Kennedy's Executive Order 10988 in 1961.

Organizational Structure and Membership

AFSCME is structured into approximately 3,400 local unions across 46 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. The organization has experienced significant growth, surpassing 1.2 million members by the 1990s. This increase is attributed to aggressive organizing strategies and expanded collective bargaining rights for public workers.

Leadership and Presidents

Since its inception, AFSCME has had four presidents:

• Arnold Zander (1936–1964): The first president, known for promoting collective bargaining and civil service protections.
• Jerry Wurf (1964–1981): Led the union's expansion and fight for collective bargaining rights.
• Gerald McEntee (1981–2012): Oversaw significant membership growth and increased political activism.
• Lee Saunders (2012–present): Continues to focus on protecting public sector jobs and advocating for social and economic rights.

Advocacy and Political Involvement

AFSCME is deeply involved in political campaigns, often supporting Democratic candidates. The union is known for its advocacy on issues such as single-payer healthcare, pension protection, minimum wage increases, anti-privatization efforts, and unemployment benefits expansion. Following the Citizens United decision in 2010, AFSCME became one of the first unions to utilize the decision, financing political ads directly.

Impact

Today, AFSCME remains a powerful voice in U.S. labor and politics, addressing both national issues and local "bread-and-butter" concerns for public employees. Its commitment to advocating for the rights and interests of public sector workers continues to shape labor policies and public service standards across the United States.