Welcome new staff to Local 590
and the University of Pennsylvania Libraries!
and the University of Pennsylvania Libraries!
A LETTER FROM THE UNION PRESIDENT:
Dear newest members of Local 590,
It’s a pleasure to welcome you to the University of Pennsylvania and to membership in Local 590 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). AFSCME is a national union representing millions of employees in the public and non-profit sectors of the United States.
Please use this web site as a tool to get oriented, learn about union membership, our local’s history and so much more. Here you can access information about your union provided benefits such as the Prescription Drug Plan and Legal Services Plan. We also provide a quick-links page to benefits you now have access to through the University of Pennsylvania.
Remember to sign-up for the members-only section (sign-up menu on is the left) where you’ll have access to a copy of the Collective Bargaining Agreement “contract,” and our Constitution. These important documents explain your rights and privileges as a member of AFSCME and Local 590.
Hit the About Local 590 button (on the menu to the left) to see a directory of the leadership of the Union. The Executive Board lead by the union president works to serve and communicate the union’s vision, direction and goals. The Executive Boards focus is on issues and problems and to motivate people to work together toward achieving common goals that the union leadership and membership have voiced.
Each work area in the library system is assigned a Steward and an Alternate Steward. Stewards are your fellow workers who have volunteered to assist in Labor/ Management relations. They’re available to assist you with any questions or provide the help you may need. Get to know you steward!
Again, let me extend to you a warm welcome as a new member of the Local. I hope that you’ll become an active participant and that you will feel free to contact me at any time.
In solidarity,
Yvonne Harris
Local 590 President
Yvonne Harris
Local 590 President
Click here to contact a member of the Executive Board or your Steward.
We Are AFSCME
AFSCME is the nation’s largest and fastest growing not-for-profit and public services employees union with more than 1.6 million working and retired members. AFSCME’s members provide the vital services that make America happen. We are nurses, corrections officers, child care providers, EMTs, sanitation workers and more. With members in hundreds of different occupations, AFSCME advocates for fairness in the workplace, excellence in public services and prosperity and opportunity for all working families.
AFSCME is a union comprised of a diverse group of people who share a common commitment to public and non-profit service. For us, serving the public is not just a job, it’s a calling. An important part of our mission is to advocate for the vital services that keep our families safe and make our communities strong. We also advocate for prosperity and opportunity for all of America’s working families. We not only stand for fairness at the bargaining table — we fight for fairness in our communities and in the halls of government.
How AFSCME Works
AFSCME has approximately 3,400 local unions and 58 councils and affiliates in 46 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Every local writes its own constitution, designs its own structure, elects its own officers and sets its own dues.
The International Union, based in Washington, DC, coordinates the union’s actions on major national issues such as privatization, fair taxes and health care. The International also provides resources to councils and local unions for organizing, bargaining, political action and education, and administers members-only benefits. Every two years, delegates to AFSCME’s International Convention decide on the union’s basic policies. Every four years they elect the International Union’s President, Secretary-Treasurer and 35 regional vice presidents.