American Rescue Stories | Page 1 | American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)

April 06, 2022

Report highlights need for state and local government jobs

State and local governments have lost nearly 700,000 jobs since the pandemic, according to a new report.

March 25, 2022

ARP funds are an opportunity to build up communities by investing in public service workers

As state and local governments are flush with cash from the American Rescue Plan, they would do well to invest in their public workforce.

March 11, 2022

The American Rescue Plan saved the public sector – but now is not the time for ‘austerity’

Read President Lee Saunders’ column marking the one-year anniversary of the American Rescue Plan.

March 10, 2022

In video, AFSCME president lauds American Rescue Plan, but says more needs to be done

In the latest On the Record video, AFSCME President Lee Saunders praises the American Rescue Plan but points out that its full impact has yet to be felt.

September 10, 2021

In Michigan, AFSCME, members of Congress urge passage of Build Back Better plan

AFSCME Michigan to Congress – pass the Biden Build Back Better plan for the good of the country.

September 10, 2021

To Build Back Better, we must invest in our children, our families, our caregivers

President Joe Biden’s Build Back Better agenda would make big investments in early childhood education, offering children, families and caregivers much-needed support.

August 10, 2021

Child care workers’ crucial role spotlighted in roundtable talk

A roundtable featuring President Saunders and two AFSCME members highlighted the importance of child care workers.

July 28, 2021

If you’re struggling to pay rent, use this tool to find help

For millions of renters across the country struggling to pay rent, help is available through the federal Emergency Rental Assistance program.

July 13, 2021

Expanded child tax credit will help women’s economic recovery. Find out if you qualify.

Find out if you qualify for the expanded child tax credit by accessing the AFSCME calculator.

July 06, 2021

Go ahead. Don’t be shy. Hire a public service worker.

Do you know what will juice the already robust economic recovery even more? Increased hiring of public service workers at the state and local levels.

June 25, 2021

At annual council meeting, AFSCME Retirees make their voices heard

AFSCME Retirees held their annual council meeting and lobby day this week, where they made their voices heard virtually and just as loudly as ever.

June 22, 2021

AFSCME child care provider joins calls to protect American Rescue Plan funds

Miren Algorri, an AFSCME child care provider from California, joined a chorus of voices pushing back against attempts to raid the American Rescue Plan.

May 18, 2021

Nevada state workers build power by ratifying historic first contract

Thousands of state workers in Nevada will have a contract for the first time ever – thanks to AFSCME members.

May 12, 2021

AFSCME members raise awareness during Mental Health Awareness Month

This Mental Health Awareness Month, let’s empower behavioral health workers to improve the quality of care they provide to clients with mental illnesses.

May 07, 2021

OCSEA’s new contract is a huge victory for front-line workers, communities they serve

It’s taken months, but Ohio state workers who are part of OCSEA finally have a new contract.

May 05, 2021

‘When we talk about money being released to schools, how do we ensure that truly helps students?’

American Rescue Plan funding should benefit students and paraprofessionals in District of Columbia Public Schools, member says.

April 27, 2021

‘This is the first step in getting back to normal’

CSEA member Elizabeth Ramos met with Education Secretary Miguel Cardona to highlight the extraordinary work of school support personnel during the pandemic.

April 22, 2021

Rep. Jahana Hayes joins Connecticut AFSCME members in praising benefits of ARP

Rep. Jahana Hayes of Connecticut joined AFSCME members to discuss the benefits of the American Rescue Plan.

April 15, 2021

Michigan governor and congresswoman join AFSCME in praising benefits of ARP

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Rep. Haley Stevens of Michigan joined AFSCME members in praising the benefits of the American Rescue Plan.

April 05, 2021

AFSCME members in Hawaii are already benefitting from the American Rescue Plan

AFSCME members in Hawaii are already seeing the benefits of the American Rescue Plan, which has taken furloughs and layoffs off the table for now.

March 31, 2021

Passage of ARP marks one year of advocacy for OAPSE

Federal COVID relief money allowed Columbus Public Schools to hire 68 custodians. OAPSE is making sure more federal funding is available to keep them on the job permanently.

March 31, 2021

Workers look back over a year of struggle, call American Rescue Plan ‘a blessing’

AFSCME member Miren Algorri was one of several workers from across the country who spoke about the benefits they are already seeing from the American Rescue Plan. They spoke at a virtual event organized by the AFL-CIO

March 26, 2021

How the American Rescue Plan helped Florida’s Shirley Thomas

Learn how the American Rescue Plan helped Florida’s Shirley Thomas, a school custodian.

March 18, 2021

COVID bill averts furloughs, layoffs of thousands of AFSCME members in Hawaii

Our union backed the American Rescue Plan. Now that COVID relief bill is saving thousands of our members’ jobs in Hawaii.

March 12, 2021

We made it happen: Union members helped win the American Rescue Plan

AFSCME members helped win passage of the COVID relief bill known as the American Rescue Plan. That's the union difference.

American Rescue Stories Archive

Report highlights need for state and local government jobs

ARP funds are an opportunity to build up communities by investing in public service workers

The American Rescue Plan saved the public sector – but now is not the time for ‘austerity’

In video, AFSCME president lauds American Rescue Plan, but says more needs to be done

In Michigan, AFSCME, members of Congress urge passage of Build Back Better plan

To Build Back Better, we must invest in our children, our families, our caregivers

Child care workers’ crucial role spotlighted in roundtable talk

If you’re struggling to pay rent, use this tool to find help

Expanded child tax credit will help women’s economic recovery. Find out if you qualify.

Go ahead. Don’t be shy. Hire a public service worker.

At annual council meeting, AFSCME Retirees make their voices heard

AFSCME child care provider joins calls to protect American Rescue Plan funds

Nevada state workers build power by ratifying historic first contract

AFSCME members raise awareness during Mental Health Awareness Month

OCSEA’s new contract is a huge victory for front-line workers, communities they serve

‘When we talk about money being released to schools, how do we ensure that truly helps students?’

‘This is the first step in getting back to normal’

Rep. Jahana Hayes joins Connecticut AFSCME members in praising benefits of ARP

Michigan governor and congresswoman join AFSCME in praising benefits of ARP

AFSCME members in Hawaii are already benefitting from the American Rescue Plan

Passage of ARP marks one year of advocacy for OAPSE

Workers look back over a year of struggle, call American Rescue Plan ‘a blessing’

How the American Rescue Plan helped Florida’s Shirley Thomas

COVID bill averts furloughs, layoffs of thousands of AFSCME members in Hawaii

We made it happen: Union members helped win the American Rescue Plan