American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) is the largest trade union in the United States representing public sector employees. It was founded in Madison, Wisconsin in 1932, stemming from the Wisconsin State Employees Association (WSEA), which aimed to protect civil service jobs from political patronage[1][2].

History

In 1932, during the Great Depression, a small group of white-collar state employees formed WSEA to defend and enhance the civil service system. They feared that political patronage would lead to job losses. By 1936, the American Federation of Labor (AFL) granted AFSCME a charter, with Arnold Zander as its first International president[1][2].

Initially focusing on civil service protection, AFSCME gradually shifted towards collective bargaining. In the post-World War II era, the union grew rapidly as public employees demanded better working conditions and wages[2][5].

Key Milestones

• 1936: Received an AFL charter.
• 1945-1947: Post-war period marked significant strikes in both private and public sectors. AFSCME membership grew despite legal restrictions like the Taft-Hartley Act.
• 1955: AFL and CIO merged; AFSCME exceeded 100,000 members.
• 1961: President John Kennedy issued Executive Order 10988, supporting collective bargaining for federal employees.
• 1964: Jerry Wurf became president, emphasizing collective bargaining and union reform.
• 1980s: Gerald McEntee took leadership, increasing political activism and organizing efforts.
• 1990: Membership surpassed 1.2 million.
• 2001: Significant organizing year with 60,000 new members[2][5].

Activities and Impact

AFSCME represents over 1.3 million public sector employees, including healthcare workers, corrections officers, sanitation workers, police and firefighters, and childcare providers[1]. The union is heavily involved in political campaigns, often supporting Democratic Party candidates, and advocates for policies like single-payer healthcare and pension protections[1].

Organizational Structure

AFSCME is part of the AFL-CIO and operates through approximately 3,400 local unions across the U.S.[1]. It has played a pivotal role in shaping labor laws and collective bargaining rights for public employees nationwide.