Now, the workers who run Austin help speak for it too

 

Members of AFSCME Local 1624 know their place — and it’s at the table.  

The Austin City Council recently agreed, unanimously approving a formal consultation process that ensures regular meetings between city workers and management to address workplace concerns. 

“Consultation matters because Austin workers matter,” said Kellee Coleman, a city employee and member of AFSCME Local 1624. For Coleman, this process is about working conditions and the city services she and her colleagues provide.  

“The people doing the work every day understand what’s working and what needs to change,” she added. “When the workers who keep Austin running are part of the conversation, we can help make the city work better.” 

And for city workers who keep our streets clear, maintain our power grid and secure our public facilities, consultation is also a bridge between the office and the field. As a landscape technician, Joel Manzo fought for this policy in part due to this gap. 

“Winning consultation would impact field operations workers by making us more visible,” Manzo said. “Being an AFSCME Local1624 member ensures my visibility and my power.” 

This process also serves as a critical shield for workers. AFSCME Local1624 board member and City Vice President Trish Niswander emphasizes that the process for employers seeking to identify efficiencies must include workers.  

“We are the subject matter experts of our jobs,” she said. “Typically, ‘efficiencies’ is short-hand for job cuts. This agreement allows us to look for cost savings in the right places.” 

This victory was the result of workers coming together to build power. AFSCME Local1624 members held one-on-ones, spoke out about political and economic shifts causing issues and discrepancies, and demanded transparent communication. The local also worked hard to elect a pro-labor city council last year, and most of the council members are AFSCME Local1624 members. 

“Our organizing empowered us to propose this policy and generate unanimous support for Austin city workers,” said AFSCME Local1624 President Brydan Summers. “If not for the work of our members and our union, we wouldn’t be sitting down with the city manager.” 

And the work doesn’t stop at city limits. Local 1624 is already moving to secure a consultation policy for Travis County members. Similarly, AFSCME members across Texas are organizing to secure a seat at the table through consultation. 

“This consultation policy,” said Councilman and Local 1624 member Mike Siegel, “will create a new opportunity for city workers to bring their knowledge to the table and help lead the city to the best possible outcomes.” 

Last week, both parties met to formalize consultation parameters including expanded discussion topics, meeting notes and a zero-retaliation policy. The first consultation meeting is set for April 1st.