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, encompassing a wide variety of jobs including health care workers, corrections officers, sanitation workers, police officers, firefighters, and childcare providers.

History

AFSCME was founded in Madison, Wisconsin, in 1932 during the Great Depression, as an effort to protect civil service jobs and promote the civil service system. Initially, it was formed as the Wisconsin State Employees Union by a small group of white-collar professional state employees. In 1936, the American Federation of Labor (AFL) granted AFSCME a charter, marking the beginning of its official existence as a national union. Arnold Zander, a state personnel administrator, was instrumental in the union's early years, serving as its first International President from 1936 to 1964.

Initially, AFSCME focused on protecting civil service systems and promoting legislation to strengthen them. However, over time, the union transitioned towards emphasizing collective bargaining as a key strategy for improving working conditions. The 1955 merger with the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) brought significant growth and a continued commitment to collective bargaining. By 1955, membership had surpassed 100,000, and by the early 21st century, it exceeded 1 million.

Structure and Membership

AFSCME is structured into approximately 3,400 local unions located in 46 U.S. states, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The organization is part of the AFL-CIO, one of the two major labor federations in the United States. AFSCME members represent a broad range of blue- and white-collar positions across local and state governments, hospitals, universities, and public schools.

Political Involvement

AFSCME is actively involved in political campaigns, primarily supporting the Democratic Party. The organization has utilized the Citizens United decision to directly finance political ads advocating for or against specific candidates. Key political issues for AFSCME include advocating for single-payer healthcare, protecting pension benefits, increasing the minimum wage, preventing job privatization, and expanding unemployment benefits.

Leadership

Since its founding, AFSCME has had four presidents. After Arnold Zander's tenure, Jerry Wurf became a pivotal figure, advocating for collective bargaining and aggressive organizing strategies from 1964 to 1981. Gerald McEntee led the union from 1981 to 2012, overseeing significant growth and increased political influence. Currently, Lee Saunders serves as the International President.

Growth and Impact

AFSCME's growth has been notable, especially during a period when many unions experienced declining membership. Its success is attributed to a robust organizing strategy and legislative changes that expanded collective bargaining rights for public employees. Today, AFSCME is a powerful voice in national politics and social issues, advocating for the rights and dignity of public employees.