There are over 350,000 health care, mental health, and service employees who have chosen to join AFSCME [which stands for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.] Nationwide there are more than 1.4 million members. Here in Pennsylvania we are part of AFSCME Council 13 and the southeastern part of the state is designated as District Council 88. We are part of the Non-state division. We are the largest Non-state local in Council 13. We became AFSCME Local 1439 as of February 28, 2005 when NHS employees ratified their first contract.