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Wednesday, June 26, 2002

Politics: 'Get involved at every level'

Rep. Loretta Sanchez and her younger sister Linda will become the first pair of sisters to serve in the U.S. Congress — if they both win in November. Given the slim Republican majority in the House, the victory of these sisters — both Democrats — could be instrumental in swinging control of that critical institution.

In fact, the Sanchezes may be on the way toward building something of a political dynasty: Two cousins already serve in Congress. Loretta Sanchez, who has lived most of her life in central Orange County, Calif., was first elected to Congress in 1996. Linda won her primary election on March 5 of this year. A civil rights attorney, she serves as a top official of the Orange County Central Labor Council. If she is elected, Linda will represent the newly created Congressional District 39, which includes communities in southeast Los Angeles County.

Linda Sanchez drew cheers when she proudly showed her "union" card. Referring to her American Bar Association membership, she said being an attorney is just a job, "but my union card is written in blood — the blood of every generation that would die to win the right to collective bargaining."

In her speech yesterday, Loretta Sanchez lambasted anti-union politicians in Congress. "Every day they assault your rights ... ," she told the delegates. "They want to privatize and contract out your jobs. If it were not for you, they would take away all the workers' benefits — health care, pension.

"We are six votes short of getting back the House. We must get involved at every level, get off our butts and win in November. And once we become the majority, we will drive George Bush crazy. ... I know that AFSCME will lead the way!"


President Bush 'is in our way'

"We in AFSCME are trying to build a more perfect union for all working families in America," declared IVP Henry Nicholas, president of the National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees (NUHHCE). "We are seated in this Convention at the most important time in our union's history. We are AFSCME — the mighty, mighty AFSCME — but we come to this Convention with a mission: to go to the streets when we leave" and achieve victory in the 2002 elections.

"But for that," he said, "we must recognize our enemy. Those who would take away our health care benefits, who would make sure we do not get good prescription drug coverage."

Nicholas said that's why AFSCME must work to elect 36 union-friendly governors, hold the Democratic majority in the U.S. Senate and win back the Republican-controlled U.S. House. Unfortunately, he noted, President Bush "is in our way."

Nicholas introduced three council or local presidents who told of the direct effects of the Bush programs on them and their fellow workers. The three: Paula Dorsey, president of Wisconsin Council 48; Les Eason, unit president of New York Local 830/CSEA; and Kurt January, president of Local 3719 (Washington, D.C., Council 26). Said Eason: "Bush stuck with his buddies and stuck it to the American workers."


'We can't stand still!'

"The working men and women of this nation have the power to change the world," AFSCME Sec.-Treas. William Lucy said Tuesday.

Lucy described AFSCME's financial situation, noting that $20 million was spent on organizing in 2001 — with $25 million slated for 2002.

As part of its constitutional mandate, the International now regularly reviews the finances of affiliates with over 2,000 members. Lucy called the results "very positive. What we've found are well-kept records and accounting procedures."

But he warned the delegates, "If you do the crime, you must be prepared to do the time. You cannot steal from this union."

Lucy stressed political involvement: "Under the Bush/Cheney administration — Enron economics, disappearing jobs and dishonored rights — we see a sobering picture of what workers are up against in 2002.

"Folks who thought they had secure jobs, stable benefits and opportunities for advancement are waking up to an American nightmare."

Whether fighting privateering or maintaining funds for needed programs and services, he declared, mobilizing members is the key. "We must — and will — fight to save every single job.

"With more members and more power comes an awesome responsibility to help others. We have been a spotlight in the past; we must be a beacon for the future. We can stand proud. We can stand firm. But we can't stand still!"


Rally 'round...

. . . our brothers and sisters from HERE — the Las Vegas culinary workers of the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees. They're fighting for a fair contract from the managements of seven local hotels and will be pressing their case with a big rally in downtown Vegas. Buses for our members will leave from Bally's Flamingo Road entrance immediately after recess of Wednesday's session. So we know you'll be joining us, please fill out a form that you can pick up at the Information Booth. Don't come looking like a tourist: Wear your AFSCME T-shirt, bring your AFSCME attitude! But leave your Convention bag and valuables in your hotel room in the morning. We'll provide water.


A prayer for 'our' Father

Father Peter Brophy of New York City came before the Convention yesterday to read "Mychal's Prayer," written by the late Father Mychal F. Judge, an AFSCME member who died ministering to fallen workers during the attacks on the World Trade Center. The prayer:

Lord, take me where
You want me to go;

Let me meet who
You want me to meet;

Tell me what
You want to say, and

Keep me out of Your way.


PEOPLE Awards: 31, 1902 and seven others

Illinois Council 31 and California's Metropolitan Water District Local 1902 were honored Tuesday for going "above and beyond the call of the union." They achieved at least 25 percent participation of their membership in AFSCME's political fundraising program called PEOPLE (Public Employees Organized to Promote Legislative Equality).

Seven other councils and locals received awards for exceeding 10 percent. They are: Maryland Council 67 and Local 2250, New Jersey Council 71, New York DC 37, Pennsylvania Council 13 and Council 47, and Central Texas Public Employees Local 1624.

During yesterday's award ceremony, held on the Convention stage, Pres. Gerald W. McEntee called Council 31's 38-percent participation rate "an incredible example of the best in union dedication." To representatives of California's Metropolitan Water District Local 1902 — which achieved nearly 30 percent participation — McEntee declared, "You should all be proud! Make sure you tell them that back home!"

Council 31 Exec. Dir. (and IVP) Henry Bayer says his council's participation in the PEOPLE program is so successful "because our members understand the connection between the political process and their paychecks. Too often, union members are alienated from politics. It's our job to educate and activate them. Any union that doesn't do that isn't doing it's job."

McEntee said that he will be calling a national meeting of leadership and staff — following the November elections — to shape a national strategy aimed at meeting PEOPLE's fund-raising goals. Delegates to the 2000 Convention passed a resolution calling for affiliates to reach a minimum goal of 10 percent participation in PEOPLE. The resolution also said those councils or locals that had already achieved the minimum "should strive to increase participation an additional 5 percent."

How the union will comply with new campaign finance laws also will be discussed during the fall strategy session. "Stay tuned for further developments on this issue," McEntee said.


Pin crazy

As every AFSCME Convention-goer knows, pins are a prized item. Missouri Delegate (and Sergeant at Arms) Jerry Gladden has been collecting them since 1990, and he has generously offered to auction his prized collection — dozens of pins on a black vest — for the benefit of PEOPLE. Stop by the PEOPLE Booth between now and close of business Thursday to make a bid. (As of Tuesday morning, the bidding had reached $175.)

Says Gladden, a retired mental-health direct care aide who remains president of Local 1810 (Council 72), "I know we've got working people here [at the Convention], but I would hope somebody would fork out $500 for the collection." It includes a rare Council 72 "Missouri Mule" pin and a currently prized original pin crafted for the Alaska State Employees Association/Local 52.


Down to business

Delegates adopted the following constitutional amendments to AFSCME's International Constitution during Tuesday's session:

Amendment 1 (substitute) — to establish a mechanism for bargaining with multi-state employers

Amendment 2 — to allow greater delegate representation at the International Convention for larger retiree chapters

Amendment 3 — to modify the treatment of the property of subordinate bodies that have disaffiliated

The following amendments were defeated:

Amendment 4 — to establish local presidents as automatic delegates to the Convention

Amendment 5 — establishing a hardship exemption from dues increases and dues adjustments

Amendment 6 — to immediately install elected officers

The following resolutions were adopted by Convention delegates Tuesday:

Resolution 4 — unsung heroes: recognizing classified school employees

Resolution 7 — stopping domestic violence at work

Resolution 14 — developing a union agenda for shaping change in government

Resolution 19 — PEOPLE checkoff

Resolution 26 — AFSCME Latino initiative

Resolution 31 — civil service reform

Resolution 36 — establish a national conference for transportation employees

Resolution 42 — PEOPLE training and education

Resolution 44 — public library services

Resolution 70 — equal protection for all Head Start employees

Resolution 74 — voter registration

Resolution 88 — fighting the Bush agenda

Resolution 89 — meeting the challenges of the 2004 elections and a new political environment

Resolution 93 — AFSCME structure — multi-affiliate states

Resolution 94 — mobilizing members for the Labor 2002 program

Resolution 95 — increased protection for trade unionists in Colombia


News you can use

  • Good food, great cause

    Got your tickets yet for Thursday's AFSCME "Star of Excellence" awards dinner? You won't want to miss it. There will be good food and a top-notch surprise entertainer. You'll help congratulate an awesome group of the union's highest achievers. Tickets are only $10, and are available across from the Information Booth.

  • Calling all show fans

    Want to be in the audience for a TV taping? NBC's prime-time "Extreme Variety" will tape here on Thursday, with host Tom Cavanaugh. Free tickets are yours through the Paris hotel box office. The taping begins at 6 p.m. Be there by 5 p.m. in business-casual attire.

  • Lost and found

    The lost and found is located at the Information Booth — is holding several items to be reclaimed.

  • No smoking

    There is no smoking in the Convention hall. And out of consideration for non-smokers, those who want to light up are asked to do so only at the far end of the corridor outside the hall.

Thursday workshops: Organizing day

All workshops are held in Bally's Las Vegas rooms from 7:30 a.m. - 9 a.m.

  • Bargaining to Organize

  • Winning Campaigns Through House Calls

  • Communication Strategies for Organizers

  • The New Frontier

  • Actions Speak Louder!

  • Who Will Lead the People? Developing Leaders

  • Organizing to Win a Strong First Contract

  • Organizing to Win a Strong First Contract (in Spanish)

  • Changing to Organize: Power for Our Future

  • Union Busting 101

  • Organizing AFSCME Retirees 

Savor the AFSCME experience

If downtown Las Vegas gives you the Freemont Experience, stop by the Champagne Ballroom for the AFSCME In Motion excitement.

There's something for everyone in this exhibit area — T-shirts, lapel pins, raffles, silent auctions — brought to you by different councils and locals. In addition, the various AFSCME International departmental booths offer valuable resources that you can take home with you as well. And they are free.

Do you want to know how to effectively lobby your legislators and become politically active? Visit the Legislation & Political Action corner and pick up an interactive CD-ROM. This practical toolkit has forms, "how to"s and fact sheets. At the Women's Rights Booth, a water bottle shaped like a barbell is the hottest giveaway item. Free posters, screen savers, lanyards, mouse pads and resource guides are yours for the asking. And friendly AFSCME staff are there to assist you.

Winners

AFSCME Advantage awarded the prize of a $750 credit to Arthur W. Elmore Jr.'s MasterCard. He's a member of Local 1505 (New York DC 37).

The Organizing Booth Trivia Contest victors are Lee Lehman, Local 1849 (Washington Council 2); Pete Beaudry, Local 2833 (Illinois Council 31); Sam Campbell, Local 1510 (Pennsylvania Council 33); C.R. Welch, Local 2629 (Kentucky Council 62); and Wayne Smith, Local 3167 (Maryland Council 92).

Donnie Moore of Local 159 (Pennsylvania Council 33) received a prize for being the first member to submit his Convention housing reservation form.

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