AFSCME AFSCME OrientationOrientationAmerican Federation of State American Federation of State County and Municipal EmployeesCounty and Municipal Employees

Council 17Council 17

What is AFSCME?What is AFSCME?

The nation’s largest and fastest growing The nation’s largest and fastest growing public service employees unionpublic service employees union

Has more than 1.6 million active and Has more than 1.6 million active and retired membersretired members

Part of the AFL-CIOPart of the AFL-CIO Made up of members from hundreds of Made up of members from hundreds of

different occupationsdifferent occupations

What Is a Council?What Is a Council?

Is a part of AFSCME’s administrative structureIs a part of AFSCME’s administrative structure Helps negotiate contracts, arbitrate, educate, Helps negotiate contracts, arbitrate, educate,

and provide public relationsand provide public relations Works on legislative and political actionWorks on legislative and political action Is the result of local unions within a state Is the result of local unions within a state

combining to pool resources and form a councilcombining to pool resources and form a council Louisiana’s Council 17 is made up of 83 locals Louisiana’s Council 17 is made up of 83 locals

representing over 100,000 government representing over 100,000 government employees.employees.

Why Join AFSCME?Why Join AFSCME?

Advocates for Advocates for fairness in the fairness in the workplaceworkplace

Aims for excellence Aims for excellence in the public servicein the public service

Works towards Works towards prosperity and prosperity and opportunity for all opportunity for all working familiesworking families

Why Join AFSCME?Why Join AFSCME? As members, we have As members, we have

the power to make a the power to make a difference.difference.

Together, members Together, members have clout at the have clout at the ballot box and at the ballot box and at the bargaining tablebargaining table

AFSCME is one of the AFSCME is one of the nation’s most nation’s most powerful advocates powerful advocates for for working families.working families.

Who Runs AFSCME?Who Runs AFSCME?

WE DO!WE DO!

Who Runs AFSCME?Who Runs AFSCME?

AFSCME is run by its members.AFSCME is run by its members. Each member has a vote in the election Each member has a vote in the election

of local union officers and board of local union officers and board members.members.

Negotiated contracts must be approved Negotiated contracts must be approved by members.by members.

Each local has its own constitution and Each local has its own constitution and governing documents.governing documents.

Who Runs AFSCME?Who Runs AFSCME?

Members Members decide on:decide on:PoliciesPoliciesActivitiesActivities

As AFSCME Members, As AFSCME Members,

we are protected by awe are protected by a

BILL OF RIGHTS!BILL OF RIGHTS!

Who Are the Officers?Who Are the Officers?

The officers of a local The officers of a local areare PresidentPresident Vice-PresidentVice-President Recording SecretaryRecording Secretary Secretary-TreasurerSecretary-Treasurer Executive Board Executive Board

Members (3)Members (3) Trustees (3)Trustees (3)

Why Do I Need A Union Why Do I Need A Union Now?Now?

Big corporations and some politicians are Big corporations and some politicians are attacking the services we provide.attacking the services we provide.

Their goal is simple: privatize our jobs, Their goal is simple: privatize our jobs, strip us of our rights, and dismantle the strip us of our rights, and dismantle the public sector.public sector.

They are going after our wages, our They are going after our wages, our pensions, and our health care!pensions, and our health care!

What Special Benefits Does What Special Benefits Does AFSCME Offer Its Members?AFSCME Offer Its Members?

The AFSCME Advantage programs offer The AFSCME Advantage programs offer many money-saving services for full, many money-saving services for full, dues-paying members only.dues-paying members only.

Services are offered at greatly reduced Services are offered at greatly reduced costs, only available to union members.costs, only available to union members.

These benefits are continuously These benefits are continuously enhanced and expanded.enhanced and expanded.

What Special Benefits Does What Special Benefits Does AFSCME Offer Its Members?AFSCME Offer Its Members?

Popular services include:Popular services include: AT&T WirelessAT&T Wireless AFSCME Advantage AFSCME Advantage

Master CardMaster Card Mortgage and Real EstateMortgage and Real Estate Motor ClubMotor Club Travel CenterTravel Center Health ClubHealth Club Flower DiscountFlower Discount ScholarshipsScholarships

What Do I Have to Do to What Do I Have to Do to Join?Join?

Simply fill out the Simply fill out the green AFSCME green AFSCME application card.application card.

Drop it in the mail.Drop it in the mail. OROR Stop.Stop. Take a second to fill Take a second to fill

out the green card.out the green card. I will pick them up.I will pick them up.

Questions?????????????Questions?????????????????

Information for this powerpoint taken from AFSCME: Questions and Answers About Information for this powerpoint taken from AFSCME: Questions and Answers About AFSCME@2008AFSCME@2008

Powerpoint presentation produced by Powerpoint presentation produced by Rodney P. Dufrene, Sr. and Nanette L. DufreneRodney P. Dufrene, Sr. and Nanette L. Dufrene