News

Free/Reduced Price Admission for 2024 CT Summer Museums

Are you looking for free activities to do with your kids this summer? Here are the big ways to score free admission: 

  • Library Passes: 
    • Did you know you can typicall

Hartford recognizes Juneteenth as official holiday

This year Hartford has officially recognized Juneteenth as an official holiday. In response, Local 1716 President Orlando Mercado said the following:

Local 1716 President fights to keep members' overtime

Orlando Mercado, President AFSCME Local 1716 & Council 4 Executive Board Member, spoke at a may 13th city council meeting to urge Council members to protect budgeted overtime that will retain c

Questions? Concerns? Ask the Local 1716 President!

AFSCME Local 1716 wants to hear from you, our members.

Do you have a question or concern? Do you want to know more about what's happening with your union?  Then go to the source!

Please contact me at:  president@local1716.org or vicepresident@local1716.org. Be sure to include your full name, Department and contact information. Please allow up to 48 hours for a response to your email.

University of Pennsylvania libraries staff win union election, extending wave of unionization

Philadelphia – Penn Libraries staff, unionizing as AFSCME DC 47 Local 590 Penn Libraries United, announced this fall the results of their August election conducted by the National Labor Relations Board.

Get back in action with Council 4 Fall Trainings

Council 4's Fall 2024 training schedule has arrived! Trainings are FREE to members in good standing and cover the following topics:

New legislation would be transformational for public service workers nationwide

As labor unions gain in popularity, workers’ rights remain under threat. But while private sector workers have the right to form unions under federal law, public service workers lack that same guarantee.

First Aid, CPR & AED trainings offered

AFSCME offers First Aid, CPR & AED trainings that are certified by the American Red Cross (ARC). 

Members are required to attend at least one in-person session at Council 4 (444 East Main St. New Britain):
  • Friday, mAY 31, 10:00 AM
  • sATURDAY, June 1, 10:00 AM
  • Sunday, June 2, 10:00 AM 
***PLEASE NOTE THAT ONLINE COURSES (2.5 HRS) MUST BE COMPLETED PRIOR TO IN-PERSON SESSION.

AFSCME members support President Biden’s new student debt relief plans

AFSCME members support President Biden’s new student debt relief plans

Photo credit: The White House

Security when it matters: Pay raises for unionized workers reached multi-decade high in 2023

The last few years have seen a rise in worker momentum, with unionized workers raising their voices to demand higher pay, safer working conditions and more.

Biden forgives student loans for an additional 78,000 public service workers

AFSCME President Lee Saunders praised the White House’s announcement Thursday that the Biden administration will forgive student loans for an additional 78,000 borrowers — including many AFSCME members — under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.