Increasing Membership Engagement
March 31, 2024
AFSCME 1624 Members,
The Executive Board and I have hit the ground running. We are taking your feedback and your ideas and making them a reality. In the first round of actions we have taken, we are aiming to increase member engagement so that you, our valued members, feel heard and valued.
We have created committees so that you can help shape the future of AFSCME 1624, uplift workers, and become a community partner. We have created four committees: Workforce Housing Committee, 2024 Allied Action Committee, 2024 Social Events Committee, and 2024 Holiday Party Committee. These are the first few committees that will be created. More will be created in the coming weeks and months. To learn more about the new committees and how you can sign up to be on a committee click here.
It's time to celebrate the remarkable contributions of AFSCME 1624 members who embody the values of service and solidarity. Starting at our April 2024 General Membership Meeting, we will start to recognize one city and county member each month at our General Membership Meeting. The purpose is to spotlight members who have not only demonstrated unwavering commitment to our union's ideals but have also gone the extra mile in serving their community or colleagues. We want to hear from you regarding who deserves recognition! To learn more and nominate someone click here.
Let's thank our members for their continued support of AFSCME 1624. Bi-annually we start to honor members who have achieved 5, 10, 15, etc years of AFSCME 1624 membership. If a member has achieved a milestone year, we will honor the member at an AFSCME spring/summer event or fall/winter event. More details will be announced at a later date.
We should lift up our local food establishments. Starting at our March 2024 meeting, we will do our best to ensure that the General Membership Meeting dinners are provided by local minority owned food businesses. As someone who used to work in the food industry and whose parents worked in the food industry as bartenders, food runners, and busboys, I know that there is so much talent and passion in the culinary arts across our community.
AFSCME 1624 and essential employees got a huge win this week at Austin City Council! City Council unanimously passed a resolution which directs the City Manager to provide a comprehensive report no later than May 30, 2024 detailing all job titles currently considered essential with an analysis of the potential costs associated with providing emergency pay stipends to eligible essential employees for hours worked during emergency closures, to be considered as part of budget discussions during Budget Work Sessions for FY25. Thank you to Council Member José Velásquez for sponsoring the resolution and thank you to Council Member Natasha Harper-Madison, Council Member José ''Chito'' Vela, Council Member Ryan Alter, Council Member Vanessa Fuentes for co-sponsoring. Our essential employees bravely step onto the front lines day in and day out, risking their health and safety to ensure that essential services continue to operate smoothly, even in the face of unprecedented challenges. They deserve more than just our gratitude; they deserve fair compensation for the sacrifices they have made and continue to make on behalf of our communities. The emergency pay stipends would provide essential workers with the financial support they and rightfully deserve and serve as a crucial investment in the well-being of our communities.
Council Member Vanessa Fuentes, AFSCME 1624 Business Manager Carol Guthrie, Council Member José Velásquez, and AFSCME 1624 President Pedro Villalobos
I look forward to working together with the Executive Board, stakeholders, and with you, our members, this year. Let's work hand-in-hand to create a brighter and more empowered future.
Adelante,
Pedro Villalobos
AFSCME 1624 President
