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Friday, June 28, 2002

Eyes on the prize — Go organize!

Four-hundred newly organized workers and throngs of delegates proudly paraded through the Convention hall Thursday to the pulsing sounds of Pink's "Get This Party Started," then crowded the podium in a joyous celebration of AFSCME's success in helping 100,000 unorganized employees find justice in the workplace since our last Convention.

Thunderous applause and a standing ovation greeted the newcomers. They came from a variety of worksites: state and Commonwealth offices in Puerto Rico, Kentucky and Missouri; the University of Maryland; Head Start facilities in Ohio; Pennsylvania child care centers, and Illinois direct care facilities.

Some of the representatives spoke from the podium to tell their stories as part of Organize for Power Day. John Garvaris, a hospital maintenance worker in upstate New York, recalled management trying "to get me to back off" efforts to form a union in his workplace with CSEA. He refused, then "turned up the heat" with rallies and other activism. "And it worked — last month we got recognition of our union. Now we're in a fight for a first contract."

Leon Swain, a University of Maryland/College Park steamfitter, described a "long struggle, beginning with our fight for collective bargaining." After they won, "We got organized! And in just a few months, more than 4,000 university employees voted 'yes' for AFSCME."

Diane Morin, an Illinois social worker and Volunteer Member Organizer with Council 31, said she "went to Kentucky to help state workers organize with AFSCME," and organize they did: Some 1,500 health care workers, 3,000 corrections officers and law enforcement personnel, and more than 5,000 social service workers joined the union.

Mary Porter, a direct care worker in St. Louis, Mo., and a member of Local 2730 (Council 72), told of co-workers who haven't had a wage increase in three years while their health insurance costs have doubled. We do important work," she said, "But we get no respect."

"Now that's changing, thanks to the new collective-bargaining executive order we won last spring. The time has come for us to fly, and we are flying." Indeed: Porter and her colleagues recently won voluntary recognition of the union for 5,000 workers.

From Puerto Rico to California, the stories continued, but the message was the same: Organizing equals strength on the job. As Pres. Gerald W. McEntee said, "Sisters and Brothers, we've talked about political power, workplace power and bargaining power. But we know it all starts with organizing power."


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Earlier, Ted Kulongoski, the Democratic candidate for governor of Oregon, pledged that, if elected, he would support a worker-friendly agenda. "I wrote the public employees' collective-bargaining agreement in my state," he said, referring to his service as legal counsel to the labor committee of the Oregon house, "and I am committed to its success."

A star's pride — In our union

Actor and activist Martin Sheen brought the house down yesterday when he declared that, although he is proud of his membership in four entertainment industry unions, "Today, I am proudest of all being an honorary member of AFSCME."

Delegates showed their appreciation throughout his appearance with enthusiastic screams and shouts. But their loudest ovation came when Sheen took off his jacket and put on a green AFSCME T-shirt presented to him — along with his honorary AFSCME card — by President McEntee.

In a serious speech that had some light moments, Sheen bemoaned "the slow unraveling by the current administration of many progressive achievements" in public safety, education, health care and environment. "These are the four fundamental issues that matter greatly in our national life," he said.

Paraphrasing a quote made famous by Robert F. Kennedy, Sheen said that "while some continue to seek things as they are and ask why, this union, your union, continues to dream things that never were and says why not?" For that reason, he travels the country speaking on behalf of progressive causes and in support of progressive female candidates like Florida's Janet Reno — and progressive unions like AFSCME.

A union member all his adult life, Sheen recounted how, as a 13-year-old growing up in Dayton, Ohio, he organized a short-lived caddies' strike after he became tired of being treated poorly by the affluent golfers. "The seed has flourished ever since," he said, "and now, while it is clearly understood what I do for a living, this is what I do to stay alive."

A longtime advocate of social justice, in Hollywood and far beyond, Sheen participated in protests against the "Star Wars" military-defense system at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, and he has demonstrated in support of numerous other causes.

Following the speech, President McEntee presented a $10,000 check to one of the actor's favorite organizations: the Las Vegas Catholic Worker, an organization that addresses issues like homelessness and hunger.

'Stars' shine at awards dinner

Four special individuals and more than a half-dozen councils and locals carried away AFSCME's first-ever "Star of Excellence" awards last night at a dinner honoring exceptional achievement in advancing our union's most fundamental objectives.

A panel of judges selected the winners after reviewing scores of nominations submitted by members and union leaders throughout the country. The winners have shown excellence — success beyond expectations since our last Convention — in one or more of the following activities: organizing, bargaining, political activism, legislative advocacy, fighting privatization and disaster relief. The dinner was a great draw: All 2,500 tickets were sold. The winning councils and locals: University of California Local 3299; Florida Council 79; Iowa Council 6; Illinois Council 31; University of Maryland Local 1072 (Council 92); Michigan Local 411 (Council 25); Minnesota Council 6; New York's Civil Service Employees Association/AFSCME Local 1000; New York City's DC 37 and Locals 372, 375, 2507 and 3621 (DC 37); Ohio Association of Public School Employees/AFSCME Local 4; Ohio Local 2415 (Council 8); Puerto Rico's Servidores Pœblicos Unidos/ AFSCME, the Department of Family (Locals 3227A and 3234B); United Domestic Workers/ NUHHCE; Washington Federation of State Employees/ AFSCME Council 28; Wisconsin Council 24.

The winning individuals:

Barbara Richardson, secretary of Statewide Pennsylvania Retiree Chapter 13 and president of Retiree Subchapter 8503; Connecticut's Michael Connair, MD, Federation of Physicians and Dentists/NUHHCE 1199; Ray Soucy, Local 387 of Connecticut Council 4; Mary Goulding, president of Wisconsin Local 3055 in Green Bay and vice president of Council 40. Goulding captured the President's Award, given on behalf of all the presidents within AFSCME, for her unstinting efforts on behalf of the union in the areas of political action, legislative advocacy, organizing and other working-family causes.

Disability awards

New York City's DC 37 walked off with both of the disability awards presented at the Convention yesterday, sharing one of them with a DC 37 local, 2507.

The council's own award recognizes its success in arranging pre-tax paratransit services that, in President McEntee's words, "made getting to work and getting around your city more affordable for people who rely on paratransit." Local 2507, comprised of Emergency Medical Technicians, won for its willingness, as the president put it, "to step into the fray and fight for disabled paramedics and EMTs."

President McEntee also recognized last year's winner, Local 2822 (Minnesota Council 14), for its member-education efforts involving the Family and Medical Leave Act.

Funding for AFSCME's disability awards is donated by the J.C. Penney Foundation, which gave each winner $500. This is a joint project of AFSCME and the National Organization on Disabilities.

Fun under real sun

Undeterred by hot sun and a group of persistently curious goslings, 147 runners representing 30 affiliates participated yesterday in a Fun Run that set another record, raising $27,450 for AFSCME's PEOPLE program. That was almost 30 percent higher than the amount raised at the 2000 Convention.

Following a meandering, 3-mile course through the city's Sunset Park, Washington state's Gordon Bowman and Michigan's Susan Thompson again emerged victorious. For Bowman, it was the fifth straight finish at the head of the male entrants; Thompson also led the women in 1994. The heat made the winning times slower than usual (19:50 for Bowman, 23:48 for Thompson).

As always, however, the Fun Run was much more about participation than about winning. Bradford Steele of Local 2620 (California Council 57), exemplified the prevailing spirit when he took off from the starting line in a wheelchair.

"I don't feel all that much the worse for wear, but my thumbs are a little sore," he said afterward. A partial paraplegic, Steele decided to join the event as a way of introducing his co-workers to the PEOPLE program. "I hope to make them regular contributors so we can more effectively influence the electoral process."

Ohio Council 8 Pres. (and IVP) Pat Moss raised the most money ($4,860), followed by Thomas Oi of the Hawaii Government Employees Association/AFSCME Local 152 ($836) and Jo Ann Keese of Local 1637 (Pennsylvania Council 33) Ñ $493. Special recognition was given Ohio's OCSEA Women's Action Committee Relay Team, which raised $8,550, topping its all-time record by over $3,000. Connecticut Council 4, which raised $1,671, was also recognized.

The other winners: Alex Acosta, Local 2306 (New Jersey Council 52), Stacey King, Local 45 (Pennsylvania Council 13), Ken Kovacs, Local 755 (Ohio Council 8) and Lynette Smith, Local 109 (Washington Council 2). Pennsylvania Council 13 was the best-represented legislative district with 24 runners.

Loneste Blackwell, 77, representing Ohio Retirees Chapter 1184, gained the distinction of being the oldest contestant. The youngest was 6-year-old Hannah Webber, grandchild of Kathy Garin of Local 2367 (Pennsylvania Council 13).

Delegating their thoughts

The Daily interviewed two delegates — a veteran and a first-timer — to get their thoughts on the week just ending.

This is Candace Hoyt's eighth AFSCME Convention. The Milwaukee Local 33 (Council 48) recording secretary says this one has a different tone. "The majority of people I have met this week are first-time delegates. I'm happy to see a lot of young people. It's good to know they are going to be involved after we're gone."

Because Hoyt may retire within the next five years, she spent time talking with AFSCME retirees. "When we retire, I know we'll rock 'n' roll."

She has always been impressed with the work of AFSCME's video staff. But the September 11 video really blew her away. "My God! I don't think there was a dry eye. I saw my union brothers wiping the tears away.

"I'm lucky that, through my work in the union, I've made a lot of friends in a lot of states — people who've come to help us in political campaigns. It's great to see them, and it's very renewing."

Darryl Bunkley has been a member of Illinois Local 1006 (Council 31) since the 1970s — was elected president last November — but this is his first International Convention.

"It was very well planned," says Bunkley — whose experience as a tax auditor has taught him respect for details — "and an inspiring, motivating, educational experience."

He values the information he and the other Local 1006 delegates gathered at the workshops. "We're ready to go back to the business of the local and put the things we've learned into action."

When asked about any speakers that he found particularly memorable, Bunkley said he had been moved by President McEntee's welcoming address and the speech delivered by International Association of Fire Fighters' Pres. Harold Schaitberger. He also enjoyed seeing and listening to the Sanchez sisters: U.S. Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-Calif.) and Linda Sanchez, a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives.

"I'm leaving here supremely impressed with all the brothers and sisters of the AFSCME family and their commitment to working for the rights of all its members," says Bunkley.

Down to business

Delegates adopted the following resolutions — many of them combined with others and amended — at Thursday's session.

2 — Labor Law Reform: It's Time for a New Deal

3 — Opposing Charitable Choice

5 — Home Care Worker Organizing

9 — Increasing Member Participation in Organizing Campaigns

18 — Stop General Agreement on Trade in Services Expansion

20 — Continuing the Fight to Bring Collective Bargaining Rights to All Public Workers

21 — Collective Bargaining Rights for Federal Employees

22 — Collective Bargaining

25 — Nursing-Home Staffing Standards

28 — Running Successful Contract Campaigns

29 (combined) — Opposing Recommendations of President Bush's Commission on Social Security

35 — Transportation Funding

37 — Suburban Sprawl and Smart Growth

38 — Transportation of Nuclear Waste

39 — Opposing Mandatory Overtime for Nurses

41 — AFSCME Stewards in Action Training Program

60 (combined) — Economic/Social Issues Facing Domestic Partners

62 (combined) — Preserving and Strengthening Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and the Workforce Investment Act (WIA)

67 — Support for Federal Law-Enforcement Legislation

69 — Opposing "Takeovers" of Public Schools

70 — Equal Protection for All Head Start Employees

83 — Labor Needs an Independent Voice in the Media

86 (combined) — Civil Rights

90 — No More Enrons

92 — Organizing Jurisdictions

96 — Commitment of All AFSCME Councils and Locals to Organizing

98 — Immigrant Worker Issues

One resolution was defeated: Number 63 — Justice and Freedom for Mumia

Winners

AFSCME Advantage pair

Anna Williams, Local 1938 (Ohio Council 8), won a $300 gift card, and Margaret Nakamura of Hawaii's Local 646/United Public Workers now has a $750 credit on her MasterCard.

Organizing Booth's trivia contest

Kelley Leaf, Local 34 (Minnesota Council 14); Carole Prescott, Local 575 (California Council 36); Linda Ranger, New York CSEA/Local 1000; and Joe Rhodunda, Local 2158 (Pennsylvania Council 13).

Special of the day

Locals 2601 and Freckles Graphics/Local 3412 (Indiana Council 62) announced a jacket giveaway. The winner, Nicole Toce, Local 318 (Connecticut Council 4), will get her jacket choice embroidered with her name and local number by the graphics firm.


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