As we prepare to celebrate our nation's semi-quincentennial birthday and 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, we are quickly reminded of the legacy of working Americans and their unions throughout the vast history of the United States of America. There is no greater school of democracy than the American Labor Movement.
"There is an undeniable correlation between higher levels of unionization and stronger economic, community, and democratic outcomes. States with a larger share of workers represented by a union enjoy higher incomes, greater access to health insurance, and fewer voting restrictions," writes the Economic Policy Institute (EPI). "When workers join together in a union and collectively bargain with their employer, they can improve their pay, benefits, and working conditions," in turn providing workers with higher wages, reduced income inequality, healthier and safer workplaces, more secure retirements and so much more.
This year marks the 90th anniversary of AFSCME. That’s nine decades of public service workers coming together to collectively bargain for fairness and dignity at work.
From the 1930s to today, AFSCME and OCSEA members have fought, organized and won for working people. And our story is still being written but the legacy on the American Dream is undeniable. Learn more at about union democracy in action at www.afscme90th.org.
"Despite the challenges we face, AFSCME members continue to win a voice on the job and strong contracts that improve their lives and their communities. At the state and local levels, we are mobilizing to protect public services. Now, it’s our time to show those who seek to exploit us that we will never give in," said AFSCME President Lee Saunders. "When we stand together, we decide what our collective future looks like."