News

Juneteenth and Our Path Ahead

Today, we gather to celebrate Juneteenth, a day that holds profound significance in the history of our nation.

Stand with Workers and Celebrate Homemade Mask Week in MN

The COVID-19 pandemic has made it clear: front line workers are essential, and our communities don’t work without them. But in the face of unprecedented danger, the federal government has largely failed to protect these workers from the risk to themselves, their families, and their communities.

ED Bleyhl to Gov. Walz: AFSCME Supports the Stay at Home Order

Honorable Governor Tim Walz, 

Minnesota’s First Responders Need Your Help

Minnesota's first responders - including corrections officers, nurses, probation and child protection officers and front-line staff - need to be protected. But right now, the First Responder COVID-19 Workers Comp proposal is stalled in the GOP-controlled Minnesota Senate. Our First Responders need you to contact Sen. Paul Gazelka, the majority leader of the Senate, and demand that he allow a vote.

Tell City Hall: Protect St. Paul Workers!

To protect the health and well-being of city workers and the St. Paul residents we serve, we call upon the City to provide:

1. Paid Emergency Pandemic Leave for employees who are ill, taking care of loved ones due to illness or school/daycare closures, or government mandated closures. Employees should not be forced to drain existing sick or vacation accruals. We request the City of St. Paul provide an Emergency Leave Fund for the pandemic throughout the duration of the leave.

MAPE & AFSCME Council 5: Safety measures announced for state employees facing COVID-19 unknowns

      MAPE logoAFSCME logo

Regional Meeting Cancelations

To protect public health and safety, Council 5 staff will not be attending regional meetings until further notice.

Teleconferencing technology for future regional meetings is available and Council 5 field staff are able to provide these for your regional meeting. Please keep checking back here for updates. 

AFSCME Council 5 Offices Closed

Members:

There is a potential case of COVID-19 among our staff. That staff person is in isolation and is currently being tested. To be safe and in the best interest of our employees and membership, we are closing all Council 5 offices until further notice. Effective immediately the office is closed. Executive Staff and Field Staff are available via cell, text and email.

Statement from AFSCME Council 5 Executive Director Julie Bleyhl on COVID-19

First and foremost, the health and safety of all AFSCME Council 5 staff, members, and retirees is my highest priority.