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More than 6,000 CA Public Service Workers Vote to Unite with AFSCME in Landslide Victory

by Justin Lee
Walnut Creek, Calif. – Six thousand public service workers represented by Public Employees Union (PEU), Local 1 voted Monday to unite with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)—one of the nation’s largest public service worker unions. Nearly two-thirds voted in favor of the affiliation, which will give public workers across eight Northern California counties a stronger voice to improve the vital services they provide their communities every day.
Public Employee Union, Local 1/AFSCME seeks to improve public services in Northern California

Walnut Creek, Calif. – Six thousand public service workers represented by Public Employees Union (PEU), Local 1 voted Monday to unite with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)—one of the nation’s largest public s¬ervice worker unions. Nearly two-thirds voted in favor of the affiliation, which will give public workers across eight Northern California counties a stronger voice to improve the vital services they provide their communities every day.

Local 1 President Mike West, a Printing Services Coordinator at Los Medanos Community College, said that he and his coworkers are excited to become part of a larger movement that is fighting to defend families and neighborhoods across the country.

"We don’t do this work for fame and glory. We do it to keep our communities strong,” said West. “Joining AFSCME helps make sure we have the tools we need to advocate quality public services for all.”

Every day, public service workers make their communities better, providing everything from education to clean water. PEU Local 1 represents more than 6,000 public service workers in the region, including workers for cities, counties, community colleges, school districts, libraries, courts, Head Start and special districts that provide clean water and other services.

Lynda Middleton has worked as a Head Start teacher in Contra Costa County for 21 years and serves on the Local 1 Board of Directors. She believes the affiliation with AFSCME will make her union stronger.

“We do the same work; we share the same issues. It makes sense that we stand together in the same union.”

More than 163,000 workers across California and 1.6 million nationwide stand together in AFSCME—the fastest growing public service worker union.

“I’m honored to welcome Local 1 members into the AFSCME family,” said AFSCME International President Lee Saunders. “When public service workers come together, big things happen. Neighborhoods thrive and America is stronger. That’s what this affiliation is about, and we look forward to building a better future for working families across Northern California.”

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