AFSCME Council 13

AFSCME Council 13 is a labor union representing over 65,000 public employees in Pennsylvania, including workers in state government, county government, and municipal government agencies, such as Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Allentown. The council is affiliated with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and the AFL-CIO, and has been a major player in Pennsylvania politics since its founding in 1974, working with leaders like Gerald McEntee and Lee Saunders. AFSCME Council 13 has worked to improve wages, benefits, and working conditions for its members, often in collaboration with other unions like the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

● History

AFSCME Council 13 was established in 1974, as a result of the merger of several smaller AFSCME locals in Pennsylvania, with the support of AFL-CIO leaders like George Meany and Lane Kirkland. The council's early years were marked by significant growth and activism, as it worked to organize public employees across the state, including in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Erie. During the 1980s, AFSCME Council 13 played a key role in the Pennsylvania labor movement, working with other unions like the United Steelworkers and the United Mine Workers to advocate for workers' rights and benefits, and collaborating with politicians like Governor Dick Thornburgh and Senator Arlen Specter. The council has also been involved in various labor disputes and strikes over the years, including a major strike in 1988, which drew support from National Nurses United and the Communications Workers of America.

● Organization

AFSCME Council 13 is headquartered in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and is governed by a executive board and a delegate assembly, which includes representatives from Local 273, Local 488, and other AFSCME locals. The council is divided into several regions, each with its own leadership and staff, and has a strong presence in cities like Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Allentown. AFSCME Council 13 also has a number of committees and caucuses, including a legislative committee and a political action committee, which work to advance the interests of public employees in Pennsylvania and collaborate with organizations like the National Association of Social Workers and the American Library Association. The council's leadership has included notable figures like David Fillman and Mark Sanders, who have worked with other union leaders like Richard Trumka and Mary Kay Henry.

● Membership

AFSCME Council 13 represents a diverse range of public employees in Pennsylvania, including nurses, corrections officers, sanitation workers, and administrative assistants, who work in agencies like the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The council's membership includes workers from state government agencies, such as the Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania Department of Health, as well as workers from county government and municipal government agencies, like the City of Philadelphia and the County of Allegheny. AFSCME Council 13 has a strong presence in cities like Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Allentown, and has worked to improve wages, benefits, and working conditions for its members, often in collaboration with other unions like the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, and organizations like the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers.

● Negotiations_and_Contracts

AFSCME Council 13 is responsible for negotiating collective bargaining agreements with public employers in Pennsylvania, including the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and various county government and municipal government agencies, like the City of Philadelphia and the County of Allegheny. The council's negotiating team works to secure fair wages, benefits, and working conditions for its members, often in collaboration with other unions like the United Steelworkers and the United Mine Workers, and organizations like the Economic Policy Institute and the Center for American Progress. AFSCME Council 13 has negotiated contracts with a range of employers, including the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education and the Philadelphia School District, and has worked with politicians like Governor Tom Wolf and Senator Bob Casey to advance the interests of public employees in Pennsylvania.

● Political_Activity

AFSCME Council 13 is active in Pennsylvania politics, and has worked to elect candidates who support the interests of public employees, often in collaboration with other unions like the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, and organizations like the National Association of Social Workers and the American Library Association. The council's political action committee (PAC) contributes to the campaigns of Democratic and Republican candidates who support public employee issues, and has worked with politicians like Governor Ed Rendell and Senator Arlen Specter to advance the interests of public employees in Pennsylvania. AFSCME Council 13 has also been involved in various advocacy campaigns and lobbying efforts at the state and local level, including campaigns to support Medicaid expansion and pension reform, and has collaborated with organizations like the AARP and the National Council on Aging.

● Notable_Events

AFSCME Council 13 has been involved in a number of notable events and campaigns over the years, including a major strike in 1988, which drew support from National Nurses United and the Communications Workers of America. The council has also been involved in various labor disputes and negotiations with public employers in Pennsylvania, including a contentious contract dispute with the City of Philadelphia in 2019, which drew support from the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers and the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO. AFSCME Council 13 has worked with other unions and organizations to advocate for workers' rights and benefits, and has collaborated with politicians like Governor Tom Wolf and Senator Bob Casey to advance the interests of public employees in Pennsylvania, and has been recognized for its efforts by organizations like the AFL-CIO and the Economic Policy Institute.

Category:Labor unions in the United States