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Public Services
The public services division of the AFT represents federal, state and local government employees. As the oldest and largest public employee union in the AFL-CIO, the AFT has been a pioneer in bringing meaningful collective bargaining to public employees at all levels of government. Members of AFT Public Employees are proud of the contributions they make to our communities. Public workers provide the services Americans need—services that strengthen our communities and increase faith in our democratic institutions. They ensure the laws that guide us and regulate our society function. Visit our page at aft.org/our-members/public-services to find out why we must defend public services, how to tackle new challenges like artificial intelligence in the workplace, and how our members promote health and safety for all. You'll also find real solutions in public service ranging from infrastructure maintenance to public libraries to criminal justice, fair taxation and pensions. You'll also find ways to stay in touch with AFT Public Employees and what our public service members are doing to promote the common good.
The Trump administration has launched an unprecedented attack on public workers, government services, and our democracy itself. Read on for information about what the AFT is doing to fight for public employees as well as other important updates about the fight to preserve our democracy.
Public employees are the backbone of the services that keep our communities safe, functional and just. Whether you work in a courthouse, public school, state agency, hospital or municipal office, your role is essential to strengthening public trust and upholding democratic values. You may find yourself on the frontlines if Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers come into your workplace seeking information or access. As a public worker, it’s important to understand your rights and responsibilities when these situations arise—not just to protect yourself and your colleagues, but to ensure that the communities you serve are treated with dignity and fairness.
Following over a year of research, discussion and exploration into the crisis of an understaffed public sector, the AFT Public Employees Short Staffing Task Force is proud to release its recommendations in a new report titled “Making Democracy Work: Real Solutions for Recruiting and Retaining Public Employees.”
In focus
The AFT advocates for workers and their unions gaining a seat at the table to maximize the benefits and reduce the harmful effects of AI.
The AFT works with the entire labor movement together in the AFL-CIO to support trade policies that enhance labor rights and worker voice on the job.
Criminal justice and public safety professionals in the AFT support our union’s agenda to work toward justice for all and civil and human rights.
Our union collaborates with many other experts and allies to advocate for public works projects that rebuild resilient, modern and safe infrastructure systems.
The AFT is committed to supporting our affiliates as they advocate against reckless revenue cuts, lobby to prevent offshoring of tax revenues and work to eliminate tax haven states and countries where corporations shelter income from taxation.
The AFT supports defined-benefit pension plans that provide a stable and secure retirement for all government employees and opposes turning over members’ retirement to hedge funds and private equity.