PRESS RELEASE: AFSCME Council 13 applauds Shapiro budget proposal, urges further investment in public workforce

Harrisburg, PA (March 7, 2023) – AFSCME Council 13 applauds the many pro-worker initiatives outlined in Governor Josh Shapiro’s 2023 budget proposal that would ease the burden on everyday Pennsylvanians, such as expanding the workforce, raising the maximum rebate for seniors, and raising the minimum wage.

Council 13 urges the state legislature to enact these initiatives, as well as invest further in the public workforce, including but not limited to safety measures like the extension of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) protections to public employees in the commonwealth.

The union also praises Shapiro’s commitment to worker freedom as he said, “so long as I am your Governor, Pennsylvania will never be a right-to-work state.”

“As the governor pointed out, Pennsylvania is facing a budget surplus, which presents many opportunities for investments in this commonwealth. Our union will be strongly advocating for our members – the public employees who keep the state running – to be included in those investments,” AFSCME Council 13 Executive Director David Henderson said.

AFSCME Council 13 encourages its members and all Pennsylvanians to make their voices heard by their representatives and senators as the state budget process moves forward.

AFSCME (American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees) is the largest affiliate in the AFL-CIO. AFSCME Council 13 represents more than 65,000 public employees in Pennsylvania.