Council 13 Members Mobilize in State College to Support PSU Workers

More than 100 AFSCME Council 13 members from every corner of Pennsylvania gathered in State College for the Penn State Leadership Summit, standing in solidarity with professional employees organizing their union with AFSCME as PSPU – Penn State Professionals United.

The summit was a powerful show of support for an already-growing campaign as Council 13 members mobilized by visiting worksites and homes to have meaningful organizing conversations with Penn State employees. 

Attendees heard directly from members of the PSPU Organizing Committee, who shared their experiences, challenges, and vision for building a stronger voice on the job through union representation.

Professional employees at Penn State — including research and development engineers, IT staff, program coordinators, advisors, communications professionals, and many others — are organizing with AFSCME to win transparency, fairness, advancement opportunities, better pay and benefits, and stronger workplace protections.

“The decisions of university administration impact workers in a lot of ways — workload, schedules, and job security. Without AFSCME, these workers don’t get to shape those decisions. They have to live with them. And that’s why we have people here today from Penn State who are leading the charge to change that,” said Bobbie Jo Zapor, President of AFSCME Local 763 at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a member of the State Board of Higher Education.

“They’re organizing with AFSCME because AFSCME is the right union for these workers. AFSCME isn’t just there when things are going well; we show up ready to hold higher education accountable and provide the structure and protection higher education workers deserve.”

Attendees heard from a panel of union leaders focused on building strong locals and member engagement. Brian Brocato, President of AFSCME Local 297 (Pittsburgh Public Schools), discussed how his local achieved 100% membership and built a culture of strong union participation. AFSCME Council 3 President Patrick Moran and Regional Vice President Geron Mackall shared insights from their work in Maryland and the importance of building power through member mobilization, political action, and community engagement.

AFSCME President Lee Saunders also addressed attendees during the summit, delivering remarks on the importance of organizing and building worker power. Council 13 members had the opportunity to thank Saunders for his leadership and congratulate him ahead of his retirement after four decades of service to working people and the labor movement.

Throughout the weekend, participants also sharpened their skills through workshops focused on strengthening local unions, electing delegates for the International Convention, and expanding the ongoing Contract Action Campaign for state employees.

The energy and solidarity on display throughout the summit reflected a growing movement for greater worker power and stronger public institutions across Pennsylvania.