AFSCME Local 1180 expands, adding 70 more Tulsa city workers

In a significant development for local workers, scientific and technical employees in Tulsa, Oklahoma, have joined the ranks of the AFSCME Local 1180, broadening the union's representation. The latest addition includes about 70 workers, such as forensic scientists and water lab analysts, who were not previously covered by the union's contract.

This move was solidified on April 25, when close to 94% of these employees voted in favor of joining AFSCME, marking a major step towards unified representation for city workers in Tulsa.

Tyler Strausbaugh, a senior environmental monitor tech who played a pivotal role in organizing the workers, expressed, “For years we have been working towards the success of the same city but without the same benefits and protections.” Having been an AFSCME member in a previous role, Strausbaugh was well aware of the advantages union membership brings. He noted, “There is so much that AFSCME does to help workers out that is sort of just routine until you don’t have it available to you.”

The inclusion of these new members not only strengthens AFSCME's position but also highlights the broader trend of growing union support. According to recent data, unions currently enjoy a 70% approval rating, and AFSCME has welcomed 40,000 new members in the past year alone.

Michael Morrison, who previously served as a foreman for the water department and now leads Local 1180, emphasized that the union's growth in a traditionally conservative state underscores the universal appeal of workers' rights. “We know our mayor. We know our city councilors. They are our neighbors... So, when we sit down to bargain for a paycheck that reflects the value of our work, safety on the job and respect, they understand what we are talking about, and we can make the AFSCME difference real for our members,” Morrison stated.