What AFSCME has meant to our family

¶ … AFSCME has meant

AFSCME

The Union is a big part of our family's life. When a member of one's family is a member of AFSCME, we feel part of a bigger family. The family feels as if it is working toward a goal. As workers joined together, one does not feel helpless; it is difficult for anyone to take advantage of those who are members of a large group. As a group, the AFSCME helps guarantee that employers give members of the Union the wages they deserve and follow through on their promises of benefits and retirement. Health insurance is an important part of members' well-being on the job. So is good health and safety on the job. The Union sets up health and safety programs so that all workers are safe and healthy in their work. No dangerous or unhealthy conditions are allowed to exist.

The AFSCME is affiliated with other unions such as the U.A.W. And AFL-CIO, which support it in case the AFSCME needs moral and financial support. The AFSCME is part of a national network of others in all parts of the United States. Strategies for obtaining better conditions on the job are shared among members nationwide. The AFSCME supports other cities belonging to the Union, such as those who struck in Berkeley in 2005, California, who wanted fair wages and fair housing for members.

When they join the union, members get one-on-one training so that they will know necessary tasks and rules. AFSCME makes sure that, if there is a strike, that members still get food and pay their bills. Christmas, especially, is hard if employees are not making enough. The AFSCME makes sure that family holiday trees have presents under them.

When members of one's own family are members of AFSCME, the AFSCME member family belongs to a larger family, attending holidays and special meeting days, picnics and meeting leaders who are protectors of members' rights. Then, if one of the family members is laid off or ill, one sees the others rallying around, helping and supporting. It helps younger members to become good citizens, working publicly to gain rights and elect the officials that would be best for the community at large.

Employers want to work with the Union, rather than against it, in order to obtain harmonious working relationships and work toward agreements with the union. When units bargain, AFSCME communicates with its members. The employer gives a means of communication to the union for passing along information. The employer also allows release time for union representatives to post information to members. Members of AFSCME volunteer their time to Union matters in order to defray costs of some of the activities the Union supports. In this way, the member gives back to the Union some of the benefits the Union gave them. Members who volunteer their time are remembered by others and honored for their donation of time or money given for the benefits of others.

The skills and talents that Union members offer to the employer are valuable to the employer and the AFSCME is proud that its members share their abilities with others. The children of members' families are also able to see their parents giving of their abilities and gifts to others as a good example of how good people work in the world. Yet, employers cannot take advantage of the good abilities that are shared with them, using them up or not compensating the AFSCME members for them. The children of members see that one can stand up for oneself in the world and fight for ones' rights, that this is the way of all righteous men and the way that democracy works.