Join Us
  • Resources
  • News
  • Home Care
  • Political Action
  • Local Unions
  • Downloads
  • Kansas Child Care
Connect With Council 72
FacebookYouTube
Latest News

We Were There

September 11th, 2009

In memory of the nearly 3,000 people lost on September 11, 2001, including some 600 union members and nine of our AFSCME sisters and brothers: Yvette Anderson, Florence Cohen, Harry Goody, Marian Hrycak, Dorothy Temple, Chet Louie, Rev. Mychal Judge, Ricardo Quinn and Carlos Lillo.

In Memorium 9-11-2001We Were There.

We are the firefighters, police officers, EMTs, health care providers, social and emergency workers, 911 operators, highway crews and others who responded on September 11th.

We Will Always Be There.

Whether it’s making our communities safe or protecting our children, we are Americans dedicated to doing our jobs and keeping our country strong.

Now more than ever —

We Are In the Public Service.

We Are AFSCME.

 



Bargaining begins for the 1st contract in 5 years - Show Up and Stand Up with AFSCME Members Sept. 22nd at Noon

September 7th, 2009

It’s time our jobs had the respect, safety & security we deserve. Let’s make that clear to the State starting day one as we bargain for a better future. Come to Jefferson City on the first day of negotiations to show the State, Missouri has JOBS WORTH FIGHTING FOR & we’re ready to fight for them.

Rally 9-22 Flyer



First Day of Bargaining Set For September 22nd!

 

September 6th, 2009

The first day of bargaining for state employees represented by AFSCME has been set for September 22nd. The AFSCME bargaining team, comprised of members from all across the state, have developed 10 priorities for creating safe, high quality, and effective delivery of services.

You can view a printable summary of the AFSCME Top 10 Proposals by clicking here. 

 



Young Workers Face Challenges and Present Opportunities

Young Workers: A Lost Decade

September 4, 2009

Today young workers are less likely to have health care or economic security than they were 10 years ago, and one-third live in their parents’ home, according to a new national survey released by the AFL-CIO.

  • 31 percent of young workers report being uninsured, up from 24 percent 10 years ago, and 79 percent of those without health care coverage say it’s because they can’t afford it or their employer does not offer it.
  • One in three young workers live at home with their parents.
  • Only 31 percent say they make enough money to cover their bills and put some money aside — 22 percentage points fewer than in 1999.

Young workers are facing many new challenges on the job, especially during this recession. AFSCME joins the AFL-CIO in working with young union members to build the labor movement, revitalize the economy, and to pass health care reform and the Employee Free Choice Act.



AFSCME Launches “Highway to Health Care Reform” Tour

AFSCME Highway to Health Care

Rocks and Rolls for Reform During August Recess

Washington, D.C. —  The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO (AFSCME) today announced the Highway to Health Care Reform campaign, a rock and roll theme RV tour that will crisscross the country during the August congressional recess.

The Highway to Health Care Reform RV will travel through key states to mobilize the public to contact their members of Congress to demand real reform that guarantees quality, affordable health care for all.

“AFSCME will make the voices of Americans demanding real health care reform heard in the halls of Congress,” said AFSCME International President Gerald W. McEntee.



In a historic election -13,000 Home Care Attendants Vote to Form Union to Improve Services for Seniors, People with Disabilities

 

 

Creating good home care jobs will help ensure quality home care and save taxpayer dollars

 

Placing Missouri on a path toward improved healthcare for thousands of its seniors and people with disabilities, 13,000 home care attendants in Missouri’s consumer directed home care program have voted to join the Missouri Home Care Union, a statewide union of home care attendants.

 

The vote passed by a landslide margin of 85% Yes to 15% No.

 

Billie Jean Huggins MO Home Care Worker “I’m thrilled. This is fantastic news for Missourians who need home care and for caregivers like me,” said Salem attendant Threasa Bach. “The next step is to join forces with consumers to make home care better and available to more Missourians.”

 

Home care attendants from across the state voted in the historic election through special mail-in ballot starting on June 29. The election was conducted by the state Board of Mediation and was the largest of its kind in Missouri history.

 

Currently, home care attendants do not have health insurance benefits, despite being caregivers themselves. They also receive no sick days or vacation time. Many of the consumers in the state struggle to keep caregivers on the job, as 40-60% of attendants leave their positions every year for jobs with benefits or higher compensation.

 



Senator Jolie Justus Tours Western Missouri Mental Health Center

On June 24th Senator Jolie Justus visited Western Missouri Mental Health Center to see first hand the working conditions of AFSCME Council 72 members. The tour was lead by AFSCME member Gwen Williams. Senator Justus toured most of the facility including dietary facilities, the recreation area, and two direct care units. The Senator was also interested in touring the Emergency Room that was recently taken over by Truman Medical Center. Unfortunately the tour was not allowed to tour the E.R. housed at WMMHC.

 

During her visit the Senator spoke with many AFSCME members who expressed concerns with issues such as short staffing and mandated overtime. Senator Justice was concerned that the typical staffing ratio at WMMHC is 4:1 while an ideal ratio for clients and staff would be 6:1. 

 

After seeing AFSCME Council 72 members’ working conditions Senator Justus committed to urging Governor Nixon to work with AFSCME Council 72 in upcoming contract negations to address these problems, and to look into the Emergency Room operated by Truman Medical Center.

 



Represenatative Chappelle- Nadal Visits Hawthorne Childrens Psychiatric Hospital

On June 26th Rep. Maria Chappelle- Nadal visited AFSCME Council 72 members at Hawthorn Children’s Psychiatric Hospital to see first hand AFSCME members working conditions. Rep. Chappelle- Nadal has a personal connection to Hawthorne as her Grandmother was a volunteer at the facility before the program was discontinued. Before joining the State Legislature the Representative was also a state employee which makes her particularly interested in AFSCME members' working conditions. 

 

High on Rep. Chappelle- Nadal’s priority list was hearing about seniority issues with state workers. When she was told that seniority was not being followed and past time working for the state no longer counts toward seniority after time off working in the private sector she said "that's my first bill next session."

 

The tour was lead by AFSCME members John Norman and Penny McGee and they visited every part of the facility. On the tour the Representative spoke with many members who spoke to her about staffing and overtime issues. The Representative assured AFSCME Council 72 members that she would support them in upcoming contract negations.