American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) is a major trade union representing public sector employees in the United States. Founded in 1932 in Madison, Wisconsin, AFSCME is part of the AFL–CIO, one of the two primary labor federations in the U.S.

Founding and Early Years

AFSCME emerged during the Great Depression as the Wisconsin State Employees Association (WSEA). The organization was initiated by white-collar professional state employees who feared the replacement of civil service jobs with a political patronage system. Under the leadership of Arnold Zander, WSEA successfully lobbied to protect the civil service system in Wisconsin. In 1935, similar associations formed in other states, and WSEA became part of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) at the AFL convention. However, by 1936, AFSCME gained a separate charter from the AFL and established itself as an independent union.

Growth and Expansion

Initially focused on protecting civil service jobs, AFSCME began to emphasize collective bargaining rights as its central mission. By the end of 1936, the union included about 10,000 members. This number grew to 73,000 by 1945 and surpassed 100,000 by 1955 following the AFL-CIO merger. The post-war period saw significant growth and activism, with AFSCME organizing public workers and fighting for collective bargaining rights across the country. The leadership of Jerry Wurf from 1964 to 1981 marked a period of aggressive organizing and union reform. Gerald McEntee, who succeeded Wurf, continued this momentum and led the union to surpass 1.2 million members by 1990.

Current Activities

Today, AFSCME is the largest trade union for public employees in the U.S., representing over 1.3 million active and retired public sector workers, including healthcare professionals, corrections officers, sanitation workers, and childcare providers. The union is heavily involved in political campaigns, primarily supporting Democratic candidates, and is known for its advocacy on issues like single-payer healthcare, pension protection, and preventing the privatization of public jobs. AFSCME is organized into approximately 3,400 local unions across 46 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

Key Presidents

• Arnold Zander (1936–1964): The first president of AFSCME, instrumental in establishing the union and gaining a separate AFL charter.
• Jerry Wurf (1964–1981): Known for his aggressive organizing strategy and advocacy for collective bargaining rights.
• Gerald McEntee (1981–2012): Led significant membership growth and was a key figure in expanding AFSCME's political influence.
• Lee Saunders (2012–present): Current president who continues to steer AFSCME's efforts in public policy and labor rights.