Member Updates

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AFSCME Strong is Our Plan.

We have a plan and the power to protect the jobs, financial security and future of AFSCME members. That plan is AFSCME Strong. We know that in order to survive we need to be strong. We need to be AFSCME Strong.

It’s Our Turn.

For too many years, public service workers (and actually most Americans) have seen their job security, wages and benefits, and retirement security erode — even though for the top 1 percent things have been great. Now, when it’s our turn to make things better for our families, they’re trying to cripple our union. We’re not going to let that happen.

Bold Vision.

AFSCME Strong is a bold vision of building a strong union of committed members

  • A union that connects to all public workers.

  • A union that has power on the shop floor, at the bargaining table and at the state legislature.

  • It’s building a union that 100% of our members will be loyal to.

Big Goals.

Last year we responded to a similar Supreme Court threat by adding 133,000 new AFSCME members in our 50,000 Stronger campaign. We will build on that.

Step 1: Organizing Member to Member.

AFSCME Strong makes organizing job one. In the next year, 5 percent of AFSCME members will receive in-depth training on how to reach and connect with coworkers. These AFSCME Strong member activists will be the engine that drives our effort to engage 80 percent of our members, one conversation at a time.

Step 2: PEOPLE Power.

Many of the corporate politicians that are hell bent on wiping out the labor movement won during the last election. We need to do more and do better when it comes to advocating in the political process for candidates that care about the middle class. PEOPLE is a major priority. We will make PEOPLE promotion a central issue at every union event and we will increase participation in the program nationwide. Our goal is to have 10 percent of members signed up as PEOPLE MVPs.

Step 3. Support and Accountability.

We are all in this together. AFSCME Strong is structured to help locals, councils and the national union share resources, best practices – and information. We’re setting up a campaign tracker for affiliate and IU staff so we can see each others’ progress recruiting and training volunteers and talking to members. That site will also have resources and campaign updates. We’ll also be sharing campaign news through regular email updates.

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          President's Letter 2021

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Happy New Year to you and your family! I hope this letter finds everyone in good physical and emotional

health.

“Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.” One of my

favorite quotes by Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

“Nothing can stop the power of a committed and determined people to make a difference in our society.

Why? Because human beings are the most dynamic link to the divine on this planet.” One of my favorite

quotes by John Lewis.

As we were racing around stressing out with not enough time to meet all our deadlines, run all the

errands and keep up with family and friends, suddenly a pandemic hit. How quickly we were forced, for

health and safety reasons, to eliminate so many activities we took for granted and separate from our

friends and families. No longer worried about picking up the children from school on time, CTA getting

us to work on time, or traffic, everything came to a stop. Our stresses shifted from these to worries

about having enough toilet paper, cleaning supplies, food, face masks and making sure our children get

an education. One worry we should all be grateful we DID NOT have was losing our pay and health

insurance. We should all be thankful to be part of our AFSCME UNION, since we were one of a few who

did not get sent home without pay.

To the many Union office workers who started to telework and the essential workers who kept reporting

to work and standing AFSCME STRONG, THANK YOU! Some of the essential workers’ titles that the

public are not aware of are: Payment Service Representatives, Administrative Assistants, Animal Care

workers, Business Compliance Investigators, Finance Investigators, Fire Department civilian personal,

DPD Investigators, and Rehab Construction Specialists.

Unions have been under attack the last couple of years from billionaires who do not want us to have a

seat at the table to have a voice. They think we make too much money while they are drinking their

$30,000 bottles of champagne (yes, not a typing error). We should be proud of each other for standing

strong in SOLIDARITY AND UNITY in the face of these attacks. If you have not signed a card to be a

paying union member now is the time to stand in solidarity with all your other brothers and sisters and

do so. Feel free to reach out to myself or anyone on the board or use this site:

https://actionnetwork.org/forms/were-standing-together-2/

Good news to report, once again Local 2912 was able to absorb the cost of the increase in Union dues

and has waived passing on the increase to the membership again this year as we have done in previous

years.

Union jobs are becoming a rare privilege. It is important that everyone who has a union position

understands that those who came before us fought and lost lives to give us what we have. It is

imperative that everyone, especially younger members, become active to carry this fight for generations

to come.

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2020 was a year of economic uncertainty and social unrest. The year that added pressure to change the

adage “business as usual.” As a Union leader, I and the entire Executive Board will continue to fight for

city workers to be treated with dignity and respect.

This year many coworkers have retired without getting their farewells and blessings on their new journey

and next chapter. If I am still President when things open back up and we can have gatherings, you will

certainly be invited to get the accolades you deserve.

This year we have also lost family members, coworkers, and friends, without having the support we are

used to. Stay strong in the love and memories you shared with them. After all, the most priceless thing

we possess on this earth is memories. I cannot write this without acknowledging the loss of two of the

greatest most powerful voices for civil rights; John Lewis and the notorious RBG – Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

As we enter 2021 with a new normal, we all must prepare for the day when teleworking is no longer the

norm. We cannot tell you when this will be, the city has the power to make that call. I hope everyone

used this time to reflect on the things that are important to you and took time to embrace your loved

ones, fully present and not rushing to the next chore, errand, event, or place. The rush to open

everything back up will change our daily lives again. As challenging as change may be for some, please

take the time to reflect on why the changes are needed. Do not allow change to give you health

problems. If you need to talk to someone (besides me

), please use the Unions very own Personal

Support Program. They can be easily reached by calling 1-800-647-8776.

In closing, I would like to welcome anyone who would like to get more involved with the local by

becoming a steward, helping with updating website or being a new member mentor please contact

myself or anyone on the board.

Thank you for allowing me to represent you and be your President.

One more quote: “You live longer once you realize that any time spent being unhappy is wasted.” Ruth

E. Renkl

Sincerely,

Susan M Littlefield

President