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Thursday, June 27, 2002Tears and prideIn striking counterpoint to the exuberance of earlier sessions, the Convention yesterday paid an hushed tribute to the hundreds of public workers who perished on Sept. 11 — as well as the many thousands who have continued to work in the aftermath of that infamous day. Silent tears and thunderous cheers mingled with compelling images of grim-faced rescue workers as delegates and guests watched the names of 634 dead union members — including nine who belonged to AFSCME — roll down a giant screen during a video presentation titled "We Remember." The tribute reached its most dramatic point when members of the Clark County (Nevada) Fire Fighters, along with paramedics and EMTs from New York Local 2507/DC 37, entered the hall with Harold Schaitberger, general president of the International Association of Fire Fighters. The group marched to the stage to the strains of bagpipe music by the Silver State Pipers band. DC 37 Exec. Director Lillian Roberts recounted the events of that September day. "Our city lost many, many people and suffered much destruction," she said. "But our spirit stayed intact as we played critical roles in all aspects of the disaster response team. ... No matter how tough it got, our members just kept going. And no one gave up. In all my years, this was the most dedicated group of union members I've ever seen." Danny Donohue, president of the Civil Service Employees Association/AFSCME Local 1000 and an IVP, noted how many of his members left their homes and families that September morning not knowing they would never return. He introduced taped remarks from the wife of CSEA member Marian "Marty" Hrycak, an investigator for the state Department of Taxation and Finance, who died in the World Trade Center. Declared Joanne Hrycak, "I am overwhelmed with gratitude for what AFSCME has done to help us deal with our personal loss and grief." Henry Baskeyfield, a Norman, Okla., city worker and a member of Local 2875, said he had goose bumps watching the video. "When I first saw the names of all the people who died, it saddened me deep in my heart. Unions are the heart of America. When I hear all that anti-union stuff that Bush puts out, trying to get rid of federal workers because he feels that they are not trustworthy, it saddens me even more. "The America I know is a union. Working people in this nation keep us strong. So we need to organize and get stronger." To assist the families of AFSCME victims, the union set up the September 11 Relief Fund. Thus far, it has collected more than $800,000 from members — every penny of which, as President McEntee noted today, is going to the families of those who died. A living memorialHarold Schaitberger, general president of the International Association of Fire Fighters, called on union members to create a "living memorial" to those who lost their lives or sacrificed their health in the Sept. 11 attacks. "We need to do more than just build physical memorials and remembrances," he said. "We need to build a living memorial" — one that honors the fallen by helping the living through a legacy of safer jobs, decent health care and generous retirements benefits for public-sector workers. "We will honor those who have passed, lift up those who are working today and create a brighter future for those generations that will follow." In an address both fiery and touching, Schaitberger spoke of the enduring sadness surrounding the loss of more than 340 New York City union firefighters — and nine AFSCME members, including Father Mychal F. Judge, chaplain of the New York City Fire Department. Judge, said Schaitberger, "died a hero on 9-11 administering last rites to one of our members." The president also spoke emotionally of the thousands of members of AFSCME and other unions who joined firefighters in responding to the horror created by "those terrorist bastards." Then Schaitberger turned his wrath on U.S. Senate Republicans who are trying to prevent firefighters and law enforcement officers from gaining the right to bargain collectively for better wages and working conditions. These same Republicans, he noted, dared to suggest that if they won collective bargaining rights, firefighters and police might strike in the event of another terrorist attack. "They had the audacity to state such crap only two months after we have 344 of our own [lying] dead in a pile" at Ground Zero, he snarled. "But no matter how long it takes, we will win national collective bargaining" for the millions of public workers who are still being denied it. People power can make a differenceThe real Erin Brockovich stepped forward Wednesday to deliver a message of encouragement. "I do believe in the power of the individual," she told the delegates, referring to her stunning success in combating corporate greed. "But I'm not the Lone Ranger. The power of the people — and all of us together — can make all the difference. The people of Hinkley, California, are as real as they get. They are the salt and pepper of this earth." Brockovich was referring to the residents of the city on which the "Erin Brockovich" movie was based. It describes her involvement in litigation against Pacific Gas and Electric for poisoning the environment — and her subsequent winning of a $333 million settlement from the company. "As early as 1961, PG&E knew the groundwater was contaminated, and they made a corporate decision to do nothing about it." The result: people dying with cancer, mothers miscarrying and children suffering chronic illnesses. Working with those families changed Brockovich's life and revived for her the values she had learned growing up: "that our family and our health should be our priorities." Brockovich credited much of her success to a quality her mother had always impressed upon her: stick-to-itiveness. "Effort points you in the right direction," she said. "Stick-to-itiveness gets you there. It works." She had another lesson to share: "It's not the size of the dog in the fight; it's the size of the fight in the dog. The people of Hinkley were a small dog with a lot of fight." That kept them together until they won. The heart of her message: "Stand up for what you believe in. Search out the truth. Never compromise your integrity. And don't be afraid to listen to your heart." How Erin does itIn an interview, Brockovich ticked off some of the organizing principles that have helped her bring people in Hinkley — and elsewhere — together.
Demanding a just contractThree thousand AFSCME members marched under a 106-degree sun Wednesday afternoon to turn up the heat on downtown casinos that have refused to reach a just contract with members of Culinary Local 226 and Bartenders Local 165 (both affiliates of HERE). "We say to the workers, lean on us, we will give you some of that AFSCME power!" declared Pres. Gerald W. McEntee. If the casino owners don't settle, "we will come back and back until we settle it." Organizing never stopsWhile union delegates have discussed and debated a broad range of subjects this week, AFSCME's high- powered organizing machine has been in action. In Oregon on Monday, two units of workers at Hermiston's Good Shepherd Hospital filed petitions for representation elections. One unit encompasses 170 service and maintenance employees; the other, 35 technicians. The filing came immediately after management refused even to discuss card-check recognition. Puerto Rican canciónThe Puerto Rican delegation this morning will serenade the crowd with the following song. It was written especially for the occasion by Madaline Ayala of Servidores Públicos Unidos/AFSCME. Delegates are urged to sing along — in either language. "AFSCME en Mi Corazon!" AFSCME es, AFSCME es Aquí estamos todos juntos Puerto Rico, aquí en Las Vegas La locales aquí unidas Ya no despedimos todos, "AFSCME in My Heart!" AFSCME is, AFSCME is Here we are all together Puerto Rico, here in Las Vegas To all the locals united here, We now say, "So long," Down to businessDelegates adopted the following resolutions on Wednesday: Resolution 1 — Affordable Health Care for All Resolution 6 — Minimum Wage Resolution 8 (combined) — Continuing the Fight Against Privatization Resolution 12 (combined) — Prescription Drug Costs Resolution 13 — AFSCME Strategic Plan for the Future Resolution 30 — AFSCME and Corrections: Here to Stay Resolution 40 — Unemployment Insurance Devolution Resolution 45 (combined) — Higher Education Resolution 50 — Addressing Health Care Worker Shortages Resolution 57 — Organizing Law Enforcement Workers Resolution 64 — Violence in Social Service Workplaces Resolution 73 — Emergency Preparedness in the Workplace Resolution 79 — Defending Civil and Union Rights Resolution 91 (combined) — Protecting Quality Public Services During a Fiscal Crisis Resolution 78 (combined) — Social Service Caseloads — was adopted on Tuesday. Delegates defeated the following resolutions: Resolution 65 — Against the War (on Terrorism), Attacks on Civil Liberties and Cuts in Public Services. Delegates tabled the following resolutions: Resolution 46 — Support of Palestinian Labor and Human Rights. People who need PEOPLEWhen Jerry LaPoint learned last weekend that Nevada gaming laws prohibited a raffle to raise money for AFSCME's PEOPLE program, the president of Wisconsin Retiree Chapter 7 had a brainstorm. Why not just pass the hat? LaPoint got permission from AFSCME leaders to address the delegates from the podium, where he announced that members of the Wisconsin delegation would go around with AFSCME bags and collect donations for the political program. Ordinarily, a Convention raffle would raise about $8,000, he said. "If we lost the whole raffle opportunity, it would be a sorry day for our political action program." So eight Wisconsin delegates fanned out in the crowd, and within 90 minutes they collected a total of $2,096 in donations. "I feel pretty good," he said. "But I would have liked to see more." New IVPs electedInternational vice presidents from the following districts were elected at Tuesday's caucuses. They will serve on AFSCME's 31-member International Executive Board. New York State — Raglan George Jr. They will be sworn in during Friday's session. News you can use
Workin' the workshopsThe Tuesday and Wednesday workshop sessions drew huge turnouts — in total, it appears, record attendance for an AFSCME Convention. What was Tuesday's hot workshop? The answer is a real surprise — even to workshop planners. At 7:30 a.m., some 350 delegates poured into "Good Record Keeping — Your Best Protection." So many had signed up for the session that it had to be move to a larger room, and the copy machines went into overdrive producing extra materials. Winners
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