October-December 2026 NewsletterWeb reading edition

President’s message

The fall season brings about changes in nature as the leaves drop from trees and the grass becomes barren. It often looks as if nature is dying but seeing the different variations in colors is a beautiful and vibrant scene. The season of fall reminds me that even in the barren times there is beauty amongst us. As barren and desolate as the world might appear to be, we must look at the beauty of the benefits and rights afforded to us. Remember, this is the season for negotiating rights within our contract so make sure you attending membership meetings to stay informed and engaged. Also, please make sure that you are registered to vote and that you are voting for candidates that support our benefits as Union employees. Lastly, let us be grateful for the holiday season, being reminded that many are not as fortunate as we are. Get out the vote….Keep Logan and Choate Open… Let’s Fix Tier 2!! Yours in Solidarity, Cherena Douglass President

August 27 Membership Meeting: prize winners

August 27th Membership Meeting: $50 Door Prize Winners: -Matt Stropes, Tony Martinez, Mike Lowry, Tonya Brust, Ashley Donaho, Jacob Brodt, Krishawn Moore, Mandy Woodworth, Sandy Mordacq, and Carla Jordan. $10 Online Trivia Question Winners: -Jacob Brodt, Katie Farrance, Anne Sabin, Kelly Spencer, Tsilos “Jewels” Kosbab, Lisa Weah, Miranda Merriman, Cherena Douglass, Katrina Ellis, and Angi Murphy $25 Winner of Newsletter Trivia Winner: -Angi Murphy

Organizing Chair’s update

Greetings from the desk of the Organizing Chair….. The weather will be cooling off soon but we are just heating up when it comes to Local 2600 happenings. Contract bargaining will soon be underway and we will need all hands on deck when it comes to showing solidarity. As someone who has been elected to serve on the Bargaining Committee, I have recently learned that the most effective bargaining strategies rely on members who participate in collective action. From wearing your union shirt (or AFSCME green if unable to wear a t-shirt during work) on specific days, to signing pledge cards declaring your support for your union, there are a variety of things you may be asked to do during bargaining. ARE YOU READY TO RUMBLE, AFSCME LOCAL 2600?!?! Items on the bargaining table may include: health insurance costs, remote work, bereavement leave, wage increases, and more. Ask yourself, “What am I willing to do to fight for these things?” and then join your AFSCME family in the upcoming fight for a fair contract. ________________________________________________________________________________________

It was another busy Labor Day weekend for Local 2600! We hosted an event at the Railyard on Friday, 9/04/26, to honor the recipients of the annual Local 2600 scholarships. The following day, we joined Springfield & Central IL Trades & Labor Council for a Labor Day celebration at Chatham Community Park. For the first time since I can remember, we participated in the Decatur Labor Day Parade on Monday, 9/07/26. All this was possible thanks to strong leadership and encouragement by Local 2600 President Cherena Douglass, a diligent Organizing Committee with driven co-chairs such as Erica O’Neal, and the members who came out in the heat to attend these events. The first Labor Day Parade consisted of over 10,000 workers who took unpaid time to march from City Hall to Union Square in NYC to honor workers and to promote fair pay, safer working conditions, and the right to organize. Labor Day is a time to honor the sacrifices that brought us all that we have today. These continued events empower us to pass the torch of unity, fellowship, and remembrance on to future generations.

Upcoming Events:

Saturday, October 17th - Fall Member Engagement Event Saturday, December 5th - Holiday Party

See event flyers found within this newsletter for more details!

If you would like to volunteer at either of the following upcoming events, please contact the union office at 217-753-2600 or local2600@sbcglobal.net.

In Solidarity,

Katie Farrance Organizing Chair

Vice President / PEOPLE Chair’s update

Greetings from the desk of the Vice President/PEOPLE Chair….. Happy Fall AFSCME Sisters, Brothers, and Others! I hope you all had as wonderful a summer as I did! As the weather cools, I’m looking forward to continuing the fight to Fix Tier 2. The best way to help our fight for a fair and equitable retirement is to make sure you are a PEOPLE MVP. Your $4.20 each paycheck goes to make sure the team we have at the Statehouse have what they need to protect our interests in Springfield and beyond. If you want to get more involved with PEOPLE, we meet on the fourth Wednesday of odd months at 234 S. Second Street at 5:30 PM. If you reach out to me beforehand at VPPEOPLE@AFSCME2600.net, I can even make sure we have pizza! You can also join us for visits with legislators. Send me an email to arrange to be added to the list.

The other thing you can do to help protect your retirement is vote! Check your registration, make a plan, and make sure you take the time to look over your ballot beforehand. There are resources like Ballotpedia.org where you can see who is running in your district and get more information about where they stand on the issues. I won’t tell you who to vote for, but I will tell you that your vote matters. If you want to undo Tier 2, you want to vote for candidates who support public sector jobs. Finally, it is time for everybody’s favorite part of the newsletter: Labor History! Today I want to give you a little bit of information about a successful strike right here in central Illinois. In 1917, employees at Bloomington & Normal Street Railway & Light were earning $2.25 a day for 9 hours and 20 minutes of work. Management refused to recognize the union and offered a raise of 20 cents a day. The Amalgamated Transit Union went on strike with around 200 employees and 1,200 sympathy strikers facing off against 1,400 National Guardsmen.

After about a month, Mother Jones joined the fight. The owner of B&N, a seven-term US Representative and one-term Senator only came to the table when the mayor of Bloomington, E.E. Jones, got involved. The union gained recognition, and workers were given a 35 cent a day raise and a nine-hour work day on July 9, 1917!

I will have a piece of candy at the December membership meeting for anyone who can tell me the ATU Local number.

In Solidarity,

Miranda Merriman PEOPLE chair

Spotlight: Cherena Douglass

Local 2600 Spotlight Recognition: Cherena DouglassAFSCME Local 2600 President

Spotlight Recognition: This month, we proudly shine the spotlight on Cherena Douglass, President of AFSCME Local 2600 and a true trailblazer in the labor movement. Through her leadership, dedication, and unwavering commitment to working families, President Douglass continues to advocate for fairness, respect, dignity, and a strong collective voice for union members. Her service demonstrates the power of standing together and the importance of having leaders who are willing to speak up, step forward, and fight for what matters. We recognize Cherena Douglass for her leadership, her commitment to union solidarity, and her continued efforts to strengthen Local 2600. Her example reminds us that when we stand united, we are stronger together. On behalf of AFSCME Local 2600, we sincerely thank you for leading, inspiring, and paving the way for those who follow! We are proud to recognize and celebrate you as an Outstanding Union Member! Congratulations, and thank you for your service, commitment, and solidarity!

Members of AFSCME Local 2600

**Members: I encourage members to step forward and volunteer to be featured as our Quarterly Spotlight candidate. This is a great opportunity to recognize your dedication, share your experiences, and highlight the important contributions you make to our union. If interested, please contact the Local Union office at local2600@sbcglobal.net or Gina Hopson-Harris, Communications Chair at communications@local2600.net.

Events, donations and nominations

Presidential Excellence Award nomination requirements

• Increasing participation: sign up new members and MVP PEOPLE members.
• Expanded understanding: participate in union training and development.
• Empowered others: use resourceful approaches to member engagement.

Steward of the Year nomination requirements

• Informed: attend at least two membership meetings and/or steward trainings annually.
• Present: attend at least one steward council meeting and assist at least one employee at the request of the Executive Steward, local or President.
• Timely: no untimely grievances during the fiscal year.

Complete the supplied nomination forms and email or deliver them to the local by November 13, 2026.

Membership meetings and staying involved

Upcoming Events UPCOMING MEMBERSHIP MEETING: October 22nd @ 6:00 p.m. at The Hoogland Center for the Arts (Dinner served at 5:30pm) December 10th @ 6:00 p.m. at The Hoogland Center for the Arts (Dinner served at 5:30pm)

**All Wednesdays Wear Green to Show Your Support and Solidarity with AFSCME Stay Alert and informed **

Like our Local 2600 Facebook Page To Stay Up To Date With News and Events

Non-Profit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID Springfield, Illinois Permit No. 0006 AFSCME Local 2600 534 S. 2nd St., Suite 201 Springfield, Illinois 62701 Look for us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/AFSCMELocal2600 Stay involved, informed and up to date by attending membership meetings, checking Local 2600 page on Facebook and reading this newsletter and other periodicals from AFSCME. Go to AFSCME31.org and sign up for mobile updates.

Leadership listed in this issue

Cherena Douglass, President; Miranda Merriman, VP/PEOPLE; Yesenia Hamlin, VP/Executive Steward; Laszlo Acs, Secretary/Treasurer; Matthew Jochums, Recording Secretary; Nina Ricketts, Membership Chair; Gina D. Hopson-Harris, Communication Chair; Katie Farrance, Organizing Chair; Landon Page, Health & Safety Chair.

Trustees: Matt Bohan, Angi Murphy and Carol Terrell. Staff representative: Joseph Jay, 217-788-2800. Office Manager: Dawn Ringenberg, 217-753-2600.

Office: 534 S. 2nd Street, Suite 201, Springfield, IL 62701.