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Tuesday, June 25, 2002Elvis and energyThe high-flying energy of 5,000 finger-snapping, flag-waving delegates and guests galvanized the standing-room-only crowd at the opening of our 35th International Convention. In the Paris Ballroom, there were raves and whistles for the Foothills High School Marching Band, the Nevada Army National Guard, the AFSCME Teen Green Machine and State of Nevada Employees Association's Linda Cooper, who sang the national anthem. But the crowd was only warming up. Aroused by President McEntee's keynote address and Elvis Presley's recorded rendition of "Viva Las Vegas" moments earlier, delegates applauded repeatedly and rose to their feet when he recounted AFSCME's string of organizing victories over the last two years. Puerto Rico's delegation, prominently seated front and center, got the loudest applause when McEntee acknowledged the inspiring achievements of Servidores Públicos Unidos/AFSCME. The delegates also praised the recent triumphs in Kentucky, Maryland (photo below), Missouri and San Diego, as well as the campaigns in Minnesota, Illinois and Washington state. Before the president's speech, Temporary Convention Chairman from the Southwestern District, Greg Powell, of Austin, Texas, Local 1624, and an International vice president, introduced John Wilhelm, president of the 265,000-strong Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees International Union. Currently fighting to get seven downtown hotel contracts settled, HERE drew cheers when Wilhelm announced a strike deadline of midnight June 30 and thanked AFSCME for its support. "The fight that we're in with these Las Vegas hotels is no different from the fight that you're in every day throughout the country," said Wilhelm, who was accompanied by several HERE members. "We're determined to stand together — HERE and AFSCME and every union in America that's alive and kicking like yours — and we will roll back corporate America's agenda." Among the highlights of the morning was a heart-stirring video featuring public employees proudly declaring, "I am AFSCME." Ritchie Nordstrom of Rapid City, S.D., and a member of Local 1031 (Council 59) was visibly moved to tears when the video showed images of the Grand Canyon to the strains of "America the Beautiful." Necia Holerud, a library clerk from Minnesota and a member of Local 2508 (Council 14) described the morning ceremony as "tremendous." Reacting to McEntee's speech, she said that "I am ready to fight!" Before Secretary-Treasurer Lucy called the 35th Convention to order, President Walt Elliott of the Nevada State AFL-CIO, and Nevada Senate Democratic Leader Dina Titus gave welcome remarks.
A call to actionWith those words, Pres. Gerald W. McEntee assured the Green delegation that grassroots activism is more alive now than ever in AFSCME and that the activism's effectiveness rests in the hands of the members. McEntee called special attention to the tremendous gains the union has made in the field of organizing. At the 1998 Convention, the delegates resolved to strengthen the union by increasing our numbers through aggressive organizing. Yesterday morning, he told excited activists: "Sisters and brothers, I am proud to stand with you today and say that over the last two years — in countless campaigns — more than 100,000 workers have said yes to AFSCME! That's progress. That's success. That's AFSCME." The union's 700 Volunteer Member Organizers (VMOs) — who use their free time to help the unorganized join our union wherever they may be — received special recognition. "Whether they leave their homes for a Saturday, a weeknight or weeks at a time, VMOs are the backbone of our organizing effort. There isn't anyone who can talk to unorganized workers like a member of AFSCME." The president also lauded members for expanding union power through collective bargaining and politics. He recognized activists in Washington state, where members won a major strike and a14-year battle for collective bargaining, as well as in Missouri and Kentucky, whose two governors signed historic executive orders establishing collective bargaining for state employees. "That's because we've had to build real political power — the kind of power governors and mayors recognize and respect." McEntee reminded the delegates that, as the country approaches elections in November 2002, much more work remains. He said the Bush administration has attacked AFSCME members directly with anti-labor executive orders and tax cuts that benefit the wealthy — cuts that have come at the expense of a budget surplus that has now disappeared, jeopardizing our members' jobs as well as both Social Security and Medicare. "Let's commit ourselves to putting George Bush out of work in 2004," he declared. McEntee closed his speech by challenging all delegates to become directly and persistently involved as AFSCME activists — in organizing, bargaining, political campaigning and fighting privatization. "You have the power — we all have the power — to build this union and continue to lead the fight for working families across America."
Come rally with us!You heard John Wilhelm, president of the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees, extolling AFSCME from the podium Monday. On Wednesday, return the compliment: Support HERE's Las Vegas culinary workers, who are struggling to get a fair contract from seven local hotels, by participating in the union's big rally downtown. Buses leave from the Flamingo Road entrance of Bally's at noon. An important first step: So we know you'll be there, please fill out a form available at the Registration Desk and Information Booth. Wear your AFSCME T-shirt, and leave your Convention bag and valuables in your hotel room in the morning. We'll provide water. Be sure to bring your AFSCME enthusiasm.
AFSCME children: Seen and heardCBS-TV Correspondent Debbye Turner interviewed Danielle, Jeffrey and Andrew Fiebelkorn in AFSCME's Convention child care center. They are the children of Local 3142 (Minnesota Council 6) Delegate Dan Fiebelkorn, and this is their second Convention. The interview — scheduled to air on July 5 between 8 and 8:15 a.m. — will be part of a special segment of the CBS Early Show focusing on parents who bring their children with them on business travel. Turner also interviewed Local 3090 (California Council 36) Delegate Carmen Hayes-Walker and her children, Aja and Ralph Walker.
Winners...Winners in the Organizing Booth's Trivia Contest are Jeff Grell, Local 3289, (Iowa Council 61); Jan Clark, Local 1348 (New Hampshire Council 93); Sally Cheatam, Local 2806 (Illinois Council 31); Theresa Comeau, Local 2853 (Ohio Council 8); and Anne Arndt, Local 2586 (Wisconsin Council 40). Winners should pick up their prizes — a PEOPLE gift certificate — at the Organizing Booth.
Wednesday workshops: Power at workAll wrokshops are held in Bally's Las Vegas rooms from 7:30 a.m. - 9 a.m.
Delegate roundtablesAll Delegate Roundtables will be held in Bally's Las Vegas rooms upon recess of Tuesday's Convention session. What better opportunity than our International Convention to have workers with common interests meet for discussions about concerns and addressing those concerns. please join your fellow workers at these meetings and add your energy and knowledge while you learn about what others are doing and saying. Corrections Employees - Bronze 4
Nominating caucusesNominating caucuses for these legislative districts will be held upon recess of the Tuesday session. New York City - Paris Ballroom, Paris Las Vegas New York State - Palace 2, Bally's Las Vegas
AFSCME Advantage: The first winnerJanice Larkin of Eugene, Ore., a member of Local 2831 (Council 75), was Monday's winner of the daily AFSCME Advantage drawing.Larkin won a $750 credit on her AFSCME Advantage credit card. She entered the drawing by filling out and entering the ticket that every AFSCME member can get at the Registration Desk, Information Booth or We Are Family Booth, or in the AFSCME Advantage souvenir bag available at the Advantage Booth. Each day through Thursday, one ticket will be drawn at the close of the session with the winner announced from the Convention podium. His or her win also will be noted the next day in the AFSCME Daily. On Thursday only, there will be two winners — one for the $750 prize, the other for a $300 gift card. Everyone who enters remains eligible throughout the week unless he or she wins. Only one ticket per person will be accepted. The Advantage program was created in 1986 to provide union members with benefits beyond traditional bargaining. They include mortgage assistance, scholarships, insurance, vacation discounts, legal services and a credit card. Not only does the program help members and their families in their daily lives, but it's also a useful tool for organizing new members.
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