WASHINGTON – AFSCME President Lee Saunders issued the following statement announcing AFSCME’s endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris for president:

“In a unanimous vote at a meeting this afternoon, AFSCME’s International Executive Board endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president of the United States.

“Vice President Harris is seasoned, tough and tenacious. She is a dynamic leader who has been a pro-worker champion throughout her years in elected office. She understands that unions and the working class are the engines of our economy. And she has a deep respect and appreciation for the work AFSCME members do to strengthen our communities.

“She has an extraordinary record of accomplishment over the last three and a half years. From the American Rescue Plan, which brought the economy back from the brink, to student debt forgiveness, to reining in health care costs and so much more, she has fought for us time and time and time again. As the chair of the White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment, she developed key policy recommendations to give working people a stronger voice and a more prominent seat at the table.

“Vice President Harris is exactly the right person to meet the moment. She will…

We are excited to inform our members about a significant legislative victory that will expand our union’s strength and reach, ensuring better protection for temporary employees within the City of San Jose. The recently passed AB 1484 mandates crucial changes to public sector employment that will positively impact our temporary colleagues, further strengthening our collective bargaining power.

Overview of AB 1484:

AB 1484 is designed to ensure that temporary employees, including those classified as temporary, retiree-rehired, casual, seasonal, periodic, extra-help, relief, limited-term, or per diem, are included in the same bargaining units as their permanent counterparts. This law addresses several key areas:

The Municipal Employees Federation (MEF-AFSCME Local 101) is proud to announce a significant victory in our ongoing efforts to ensure fair compensation for all city employees. Following a successful grievance against the City, seven Police Department employees have received substantial back payments for on-call pay that was rightfully owed to them but not initially paid.

The issue revolved around the city’s failure to properly compensate employees for on-call rotations. Many city employees, including those in the Police Department, are required to work on standby or on-call, or are mandated to report back to work after hours, either remotely or physically. Despite these obligations, the city did not adhere to the contractual agreements regarding on-call pay, leading to the grievance filed by our union.

Thanks to the grievance process, these seven dedicated employees have now received the back pay they deserved. This victory underscores the importance of understanding your contract and ensuring you are paid correctly for your work. The city is not always proactive in ensuring proper payment, and frontline managers and payroll personnel often misinterpret contract language, resulting in underpayment.

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The Municipal Employees Federation (MEF-AFSCME Local 101) proudly announces a significant victory for all city employees: despite facing one of the toughest budgetary challenges in recent years, there will be zero layoffs. This outcome is the result of our union's relentless advocacy and negotiations during the city's budget process, effectively countering proposed cuts by the Mayor’s Office.

Let’s be absolutely clear, this budget “crisis”, was of the mayor's own doing. The mayor and his allies insisted that $40 million – much of which was “one-time money” last year – would go into new and ongoing affordable housing programs and $27 million into cleaning the city’s waterways and providing interim housing. Unfortunately, despite the mayor increasing spending by tens of millions of dollars on his priorities, then turned around and publicly blamed employee wage increases on the reasons for the shortfall. The mayor’s comments are dishonest and disheartening and meant to pit residents against city workers.

The city began its budget planning for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 with a self-imposed $4.5 million projected deficit and an overall structural shortfall exceeding $50 million. Despite these fiscal challenges, our union fought tirelessly to ensure job security for all city employees. We are pleased to report that our efforts have paid off, and there will be no layoffs.

Dear MEF Members,

As the holiday season unfolds, the MEF-AFSCME Local 101 Executive Board extends its warmest wishes to you and your loved ones. May the joy of the season fill your homes with laughter, warmth, and a well-deserved break.

In reflecting on the challenges and triumphs of the past year, we find strength in our unity and the unwavering spirit of our members. Your dedication to public service and the betterment of our community is truly commendable.

As we look ahead to the new year, let's carry the camaraderie and solidarity that define our union into every endeavor. Together, we've achieved remarkable milestones, and together, we'll continue to make strides for the well-being of our workforce.

May this holiday season bring you peace, moments of joy, and the company of those dear to you. Here's to a festive season and a bright, hopeful new year.

In solidarity,

On December 1st, MEF-AFSCME Local 101 came together with our coalition partners in Local 21 to commemorate the historic victories of the Staff Up San Jose campaign. It was a night filled with joy, camaraderie, and the spirit of solidarity that defines our union.

Honoring the Wins: We took this moment to reflect on the significant achievements made possible through our collective efforts during the 2023 contract negotiations. The wins we secured will have lasting benefits for our members and set a strong precedent for the power of unity in labor.

Special Guests: Our celebration was graced by the presence of San Jose City Councilmembers Omar Torres and Domingo Candelas, whose unwavering support played a crucial role in our success. Their commitment to city employees and the labor movement was evident as they shared in our triumph.

Good Times and Good Vibes: The night was filled with laughter, great food, and union-hosted drinks that added to the festive atmosphere. The beats of good music kept the energy high, and a photo booth provided a fun opportunity for members to capture memories of the evening.