AFSCME Family,

Public service workers have answered the call on the front lines of this brutal pandemic, showing greater courage than ever to protect their communities.

Yet, in about half of states, these same everyday heroes lack the voice on the job and the basic workplace protections they deserve. That’s why Congress has re-introduced the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act, a landmark bill that would set a minimum nationwide standard of collective bargaining rights for public service workers.

First introduced in 2019, the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act would give public service workers in every state the freedom to organize a union without interference from their employer and to negotiate over pay and working conditions.

Write your members of Congress. Public service workers deserve the freedom to negotiate for themselves and their communities.

Throughout the pandemic, public service workers have risked their health and safety to provide critical services — in many cases without being provided the proper protective equipment.

If the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act becomes law, all public service workers will have the freedom to speak up for on-the-job improvements like safer staffing levels at hospitals, smaller class sizes and better equipment and training that will save lives. The bill would also help ensure fairness in the workplace by requiring that disputes with employers are settled through an unbiased process and much more.

Write your members of Congress. Tell them we deserve the freedom to negotiate.

After 20 grueling months on the front lines of the pandemic, momentum is with us. The American people are behind us and a wave of working people across the country are mobilizing and striking to demand employers give them a seat at the table. Let’s harness this energy and make our voices heard. It’s time for Congress to give our everyday heroes the respect, freedom and dignity they deserve.

In solidarity,

Lee Saunders
AFSCME