Friend:

We’re in a state of emergency. With the coronavirus sending the economy into a tailspin, state and local governments are going broke, and some AFSCME members are facing furloughs and layoffs.

What’s Congress doing about it? So far, next to nothing. Last week, they passed a bill that stiffed public service workers. Nearly half a trillion dollars, including a tax break for the super-wealthy, but not one dime in state and local government aid.

Write your congressional representatives and send this simple message: A pink slip is no way to thank us for our hard work.

AFSCME members have been directly in the line of fire week after week, since the onset of COVID-19. We’ve done everything asked of us and more. We’ve done it without enough personal protective equipment, with members in some cases making their own masks. We’ve done it despite exposing ourselves and our families to huge health risks.  

Now it’s time for our elected officials in Washington to show us respect. Congress will return next month to work on another coronavirus relief bill – we have just a few weeks to make the case that containing this pandemic and re-opening the economy depends on funding the front lines.

Congressional response to COVID-19 so far has been generous to corporations, but more than ever we need to put working families first. That means the next relief package has to protect and expand health care; strengthen worker safety; keep workers employed; keep public schools and local government solvent; and keep America competitive with major infrastructure investments.

It’s time to turn up the heat. Public service jobs are on the line. We’ve got what it takes to lead the nation out of this crisis. What we need now are the tools, equipment and resources to get it done.

Tell Congress: we’re doing our jobs; you do yours. Fund us, don’t fire us.

Thank you for the courage you show every day. I’m so proud to call you family.

In solidarity,

Lee Saunders
AFSCME President