Dear AFSCME Member:

Last week, I wrote to thank you for continuing to deliver the vital services you provide as we work through this global public health crisis, and to seek your input on how we can continue to address your needs.

So much has happened since then. All four governors in our four-state region have taken significant steps to increase social distancing practices by closing non-essential businesses and encouraging as many people as possible to refrain from leaving their houses. Yet, of course, the majority of AFSCME members remain on the front lines -without the luxury of taking shelter in the safe confines of their homes.

While the number of confirmed infections and fatalities continues to rise, AFSCME members throughout our four-state region remain on the job at state mental health, public health and developmental disability facilities throughout our region, as well as the Boston Medical Center. Our corrections officers continue to stand their posts behind the walls of our prisons and jails. Our public works professionals, 911 dispatchers, EMTs, and so many other municipal and school district workers also remain in the field with many being re-directed to perform new vital functions like delivering meals to school children and staffing public health hotlines. The examples are endless and too numerous to mention here, but suffice to say that never before has the old AFSCME slogan "We Never Quit" been more relevant and meaningful. I am truly proud to be part of our union and I want to thank all of you again for your dedication, perseverance and bravery.

I also want to thank you for continuing to contact us with your concerns. When I last reached out, many of you took time to provide feedback and the information you gave us has been extremely helpful as the Council 93 staff continues to work around-the-clock to meet your needs.

Given that things continue to change rapidly, I wanted to reach out again and ask you to take the time to review and complete this survey.

Of course, Massachusetts members are still welcome and encouraged to email their questions and concerns directly to Ed Nastari, Field Services Director for Massachusetts. And, our members in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont can still email their questions and concerns to Steve Lyons, who serves as the Field Services Director for those states.

However, this survey provides us with another method of identifying the issues and concerns you are facing and allows us to compile and analyze the information more effectively. As such, I ask that you take a moment to complete it and share it with as many AFSCME Council 93 members as possible.

Thank you again for your commitment, professionalism and courage. I hope that you and your loved ones are healthy and safe and remain that way.

In Solidarity,
Mark Bernard
Executive Director