Local 4041 Statement on Re-Opening State Offices

AFSCME Local 4041 President Harry Schiffman released the following statement on the state’s plans to re-open Nevada’s economy, including state offices:  

“As Nevadans, AFSCME Local 4041 members thank the Governor for prioritizing the health and safety of our communities as we all adapt our lives to slow the spread of COVID-19. As the administration makes plans to work with private industry to re-open our economy, we urge the state to take a similar approach to re-opening state offices by working with those on the front lines: state employees themselves.  

For over a month, state employees have adjusted their lives to continue providing vital services to keep our communities healthy and safe, including many essential workers who continue to report to state offices and facilities to fulfill their duties. Additionally, we continue to adhere to social distancing policies and are staying home for our beloved Nevada.  

To keep our state workforce and the communities we serve safe, we believe state offices should also adhere to the re-opening schedule private industry will follow, with input from those that know this work best- state employees.  

Rushing to re-open state offices puts the health of our workforce, and the public we serve, at risk.”  

Nevada state employees have been organizing as AFSCME Local 4041 for over 50 years. In 2019, AFSCME members won the right for 20,000 state employees to bargain collectively over wages, working conditions and resources to improve state services. Four bargaining units have been certified for exclusive representation as AFSCME. Workers in these certified bargaining units include correctional officers, health care and mental health workers, labor, custodial and maintenance workers. AFSCME members expect to head to the bargaining table with the state of Nevada in the coming months.  

 AFSCME represents 1.4 million public services workers across the country and thousands of state employees in Nevada. 

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