Local 1224 hosts Curbside “Grab & Go”
While many things remain uncertain, one thing is for sure: it is more important than ever to have each other’s backs.
In that spirit, the Executive Board of AFSCME Local 1224 (PHEAA Clericals) collaborated at the onset of the coronavirus pandemic to determine how they could best help their membership during this difficult time.
“We decided we have to do something for the members,” Local 1224 President Jamar Johnson said.
They sent out a survey to members asking how they are doing on a scale of one to five and what they need most to get by. The majority of responses came back saying members needed the pandemic essentials: masks, sanitizer, and gloves.
So, the Board members put together care packages with those exact items and announced a Curbside “Grab & Go” at the AFSCME Conference Center in Harrisburg.
Local 1224 members were able to drive up, sign in, tell their glove size, and get their care packages from volunteers who were wearing masks and practicing social distancing, all while remaining in their vehicle. They also had the ability to update their membership cards and register to vote, as well as obtain some informational literature on various topics including mental health support.
“It was awesome. We were proud to do it, and we may do it again in the future,” Jamar said.
“A lot of members were just glad to see us because they had been working from home.”
With this effort, these AFSCME sisters and brothers protected the health of their members while building the strength of their local union.