Friend,
Click here to demand that Congress fund the front lines.
At this critical time, AFSCME members remain courageously on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic, protecting their communities at all costs. But they need more help from Washington. And they need it ASAP.
If Congress doesn’t act fast, a terrible crisis will become even worse. Write your members of Congress and demand that they fund the front lines.
Previous coronavirus relief bills passed by Congress were a good start, but they were only a down payment. State and local government budgets, which were already under huge pressure, are buckling under the strain of this crisis. We need new legislation that includes at least an additional $700 billion for state and local governments; more federal funding to deal with overwhelming health care needs; and greater investment in K-12 education.
And to make sure public service workers stay safe, we also need a temporary infectious disease standard, comprehensive paid leave policies and the full exercise by the president of the Defense Production Act, so we can have the personal protective equipment we need.
When things get tough, that’s when we show our grit. Right now, nurses and other health care workers are assessing and treating patients, school janitors are deep-cleaning classrooms, corrections staff are working in dangerous conditions as they keep our communities and those in custody safe, social service workers are processing necessary unemployment and other economic support to those in need and home care providers are caring for the most vulnerable members of our communities. They just keep doing their jobs, risking their lives to provide essential services.
Tell Congress to fund the front lines and support our everyday heroes!
This is a scary time. But AFSCME never quits, not even under the most dangerous and difficult conditions. Thank you for everything you’re doing, now more than ever.
In solidarity,
Lee Saunders
AFSCME President
