Local 685 Committee Sign Up

The AFSCME Local 685 Executive Board is establishing three new member committees to help share the workload of the union, strengthen member engagement, and help drive meaningful change within our profession. These committees will focus on advocacy, officer safety/safet retirement, communications.

Each committee will play an important role in shaping priorities for our union, highlighting the positive work our members do in the community, addressing retirement equity, and advancing policies that protect members on the job.

We encourage you to sign up for the committee that best aligns with your interests and passions. Your participation will help ensure that the voices and experiences of our members guide the work of the union.

COMMITTEE DESCRIPTIONS

Advocacy Committee

The Advocacy Committee is a member-driven committee focused on protecting and advancing the rights, safety, and working conditions of Local 685 members while also promoting greater public understanding of the critical role probation professionals play in community safety and rehabilitation. The committee serves as a voice for members by identifying workplace concerns, supporting individuals through grievances, disciplinary matters, and administrative processes, and helping ensure that policies, contracts, and legal protections are properly followed. It also works to develop strategies to engage the public, victims, community stakeholders, and policymakers in meaningful conversations about accountability, rehabilitation, victim impact, and public safety. Through advocacy, outreach, education, and organized member engagement, the committee helps strengthen collective power, improve transparency and communication, and ensure that the concerns of frontline members and the communities they serve are heard and addressed.

Officer Safety & Safety Retirement

The Officer Safety and Safety Retirement Committee is a member-driven committee focused on protecting the safety, well-being, and long-term retirement security of probation peace officers. The committee advocates for safe working conditions, fair safety retirement protections, and strong pension benefits that recognize the demanding and hazardous nature of probation work. It will address issues impacting officer safety, including staffing shortages, mandatory overtime, workplace violence, fatigue, training, equipment, and mental health support, while also serving as a resource for members on retirement planning, pension benefits, deferred compensation, and legislative or contractual issues affecting member protections. Through advocacy, education, and member engagement, the committee works to ensure that Local 685 members are protected throughout their careers and able to retire with dignity, stability, and long-term security.

Communications & Media Committee

The Communications and Media Committee is a member-driven committee focused on strengthening communication, transparency, and public awareness on issues impacting probation peace officers and the communities they serve. The committee works to ensure that members are informed, engaged, and connected through union communications, social media, newsletters, public statements, and media outreach. It also helps elevate the voices and experiences of frontline probation staff by promoting accurate information about workplace conditions, public safety concerns, staffing issues, and the critical work performed by Local 685 members. Through strategic communication, storytelling, and member engagement, the committee supports the union’s efforts to build solidarity, strengthen public understanding, and advocate for the interests of probation officers and the profession as a whole.