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Tuesday, June 27, 2000AFSCME Rocks the HouseMummers in Tune, Color Guard in StepThe pomp of AFSCME green and the circumstance of a union confronting a challenging new century greeted delegates and guests Monday at the opening of our 34th Biennial Convention.The Quaker City String Band, sequinned mummers who are a homegrown Philadelphia tradition, gave a festive touch to the opening ceremony. A six-member drill team from Quehanna Boot Camp of Local 3769 (Council 13) presented the colors. The Pledge of Allegiance would hardly have been complete without an appearance by “Ben Franklin” and “Betsy Ross,” two locals of some note. Children and grandchildren of the AFSCME family joined them. The melodious voice of Harold Palmer, regional director of OAPSE/AFSCME Local 4’s Central District, breathed new life into the national anthem. Puerto Rico’s anthem also enthralled the crowd. Temporary Convention Chairman Edward Keller, executive director of Pennsylvania Council 13 and an International vice president, introduced Cherry Hill, N.J., Mayor Susan Bass Levin. Now a candidate for Congress, she noted that AFSCME was the first union to endorse her and declared, “With you by my side, I know we’re going to win.” Rep. David Bonior, the House Democratic whip from Michigan and a former AFSCME member, praised President McEntee and Secretary-Treasurer Lucy as “two of the best trade unionists this country has ever seen.” Bonior drew cheers when he referred to the prospect of a Democratic Congress, and he added, “Just as you always stood up for me in the United States Congress, I want you to know that when we become the majority ...I will stand with you.”
McEntee Identifies a "Defining Moment"NOTE: This article has been edited in compliance with Federal Elections Committee regulations.Pres. Gerald W. McEntee opened Convention 2000 by sending thousands of delegates and union members into a rock-and-roll frenzy that added a large exclamation point to AFSCME’s presence in Philadelphia. Led by their union president, the jubilant crowd danced and sang to “Rock This Town,” as waves of green and gold confetti streamed down and filled the hall of the Convention Center. The president’s message: While AFSCME remains the largest public-sector union in the AFL-CIO, formidable challenges also remain, and it has plenty of room to grow. “We are at a defining moment,” he said, “the kind that rarely occurs, in which social, economic and political forces come together to open up new possibilities — when significant and lasting changes can be made to the very fabric of our society.” McEntee declared that a battle line, with working families on one side and Right-wing extremists on the other, has been drawn. “Much of the battle for America’s future will be determined by the November elections,” he warned. He also challenged activists to do their part in the International’s organizing blitz. “Organizing is about helping unorganized workers win justice at work. Organizing must be the responsibility of every single AFSCME union, and shame on us unless we all do it.” In closing, McEntee exhorted his listeners to take a stand for the principles and ideals important to working families: respect, dignity and opportunity. He also urged people to stand up against the forces that seek to undermine unionism: corporate greed and Right-wing politicians. “Now is the time,” he declared. “The future is up to us!”
Our Kind of TownIt’s not Chicago, a toddlin’ town; or New Orleans, a swingin’ town. Philadelphia is an AFSCME town — in an AFSCME state. We represent 105,000 workers throughout Pennsylvania and 37,000 in Philadelphia alone. In 1938, under the leadership of Bill McEntee (father of AFSCME’s current president), workers in the city’s Street Cleaning, Highways and Water Departments affiliated with AFSCME. A year later, that local — number 222 — signed a contract with the city, becoming AFSCME’s first chapter to secure a collective bargaining agreement with a large U.S. city. District Council 33 was established in 1945 and grew by organizing thousands of Philadelphia’s public workers in the 1950s. Gerald W. McEntee, who was hired as an organizer and negotiator for DC 33 in 1956, planned the largest organizing campaign in AFSCME history — involving Pennsylvania’s state employees. McEntee led the drive that brought union rights to 75,000 workers in the newly chartered Pennsylvania Council 13. In the early 1970s, a new Philadelphia AFSCME affiliate, DC 47, drew together engineers, computer specialists, chemists, social workers and a variety of other professional employees — setting an example of how unions could effectively represent professional and technical workers in a new, changing economy. A key 1989 merger linked AFSCME with the National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees — now our Local 1199. Locals and councils have helped to shape the direction of urban politics in the interest of working families. Throughout its Philadelphia history, AFSCME has welcomed workers from varied immigrant, racial and cultural backgrounds, creating solidarity in diversity that previews tomorrow’s labor movement. It has also helped shape the direction of urban politics To visualize this rich history, visit the Convention 2000 photo exhibit, which tracks AFSCME’s 62 years in Pennsylvania.
Daily Schedule7:15 - 9 a.m. Workshops 9:30 a.m. Session Begins Secretary-Treasurer’s Report Addresses Vice President Al Gore Officer Nominations, Resolutions and Announcements Nominating Caucuses Rally at City Hall in Support of Philadelphia Members Today’s Weather: Hazy, hot and humid, near 90, with scattered showers and thunderstorms.
Sign Ups — Do ’em Now!Meeting rooms may be reserved at the AFSCME Information Booth.PEOPLE Fun Run — Sign up for this Thursday morning event at the PEOPLE Booth outside Hall A by close of business Wednesday. AFSCME Evening at the Zoo — RSVP at the In Box at the Information Booth. Child Care — Pre-registration is required for child care. If you wish to use this service and have not already signed up, check on space availability at the child care facility in Rooms 102 A and B. Equal Partners Breakfast — Featuring an exciting mystery-guest speaker; held Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. in the Convention Center Ballroom A & B. This event always sells out, so purchase your tickets (for $10) at the Equal Partners Desk until Tuesday at 1 p.m. After that, available tickets will be sold at the Women’s Rights Booth flanking Hall A. Tours — Visit the Tour Desk in Hall B. Family Feud — Sign up for the Family Feud game at the Information Booth. The game will be played Wednesday and Thursday during the “Unfair” Privatization Expo in Hall B. Teams are limited to four members. Sing-Along — Get those vocal chords warmed up — yes, “shower singers” included — and come “Sing a Song to Stop the Privateers” during sing-along sessions at the “Unfair” Privatization Expo on Wednesday and Thursday in Hall B, after recess. Important PlacesFirst Aid Lost and Found Message Board Child Care Tour Desk Friends of Bill W. Retiree Council Briefed On New Labor Alliance“We are on the dawn of a tidal wave of retirements in the labor movement,” Bob Welsh, executive assistant to AFL-CIO Pres. John Sweeney, told AFSCME’s Retiree Council at its 20th annual meeting this past weekend.That’s one of the chief reasons the AFL-CIO will soon launch a new organization: the Alliance for Retired Americans. The alliance, Welsh explained, will give union retirees new opportunities to remain activists, helping labor “build a stronger, more effective voice at the national and state level to fight for progressive policies.” The alliance is expected also to enlist the support of numerous other unions. AFSCME’s retiree members will automatically be enrolled in the alliance without having to pay additional dues. Welsh said the new organization would begin operation next January with a charter membership of 1.5 million. Retirees without a union affiliation who share labor’s progressive agenda will also be welcome to join. In other business, the Retiree Council elected a new chairwoman, Doris Clark of Illinois Retiree Chapter 31. Also elected: as vice chairman, Gary Tavormina of New York Retiree Chapter 82; and Maggie Blanch of Pennsylvania Retiree Chapter 13 was re-elected secretary. The AFSCME council comprises representatives of the union’s 35 retiree chapters. Nominating Caucus MeetingsAt the close of today’s session, delegates will meet by AFSCME legislative district to nominate candidates for International vice president. These are the assigned meeting rooms:
Retirees’ #200KThere are more than 200,000 members of AFSCME’s Retiree Program, and that’s a pretty personal number for one conventioneer this week: Patt Shaw of Illinois Retiree Chapter 31. That’s because she’s the official number 200,000! After a 19-year career as a Correctional Lieutenant at the East Moline Correctional Center, a minimum-security facility, Shaw retired last April. At that point, she had served for 11 years as a regional vice president and member of AFSCME Council 31’s executive board. She lives in Hillsdale, Ill. She plans to travel, read and learn to play golf — as well as remain an active AFSCME retiree. Congratulations, and happy retirement, Patt!
Caucus MeetingsThe following caucuses will meet immediately after the plenary sessions. As other caucuses are scheduled, they will be reported in the Daily. Wednesday
6-to-1 Win in Chicago...On the very eve of Convention 2000, Council 31’s organizers scored a major victory: a resounding “yes” vote by the direct-care staff from the Little City Foundation in the Chicago area. The two-day election — held June 22 and 24 — produced a pro-union vote of 211 to 36. Victory followed the employer’s submitting to a neutrality agreement. The foundation provides a variety of services for developmentally disabled youth and adults. Workers worried about job security because several had been fired at will. Pay fairness also was an issue. “Somebody walking in off the streets could earn the same pay as someone who’s been there five years,” says lead organizer Eric Harrington. Council 31 formed an aggressive targeting program to reach out to workers throughout “Chicagoland.” The organizing drive featured a unique event: Pres. Gerald W. McEntee made house calls to enlist the support of workers who volunteered their time to talk to colleagues. ... Follow-Up Victory in Puerto Rico And this week, in Puerto Rico, the 1,400 members of the Department of Natural Resources successfully negotiated a first contract. The unit’s marathon contract session ended Monday afternoon. The workers are members of Local 2082, Servidores Públicos Unidos/AFSCME. They voted for union representation in mid-April.
Did You Know?Got Stuff to Share ... If delegates want materials distributed in the Convention Hall, they must submit them in advance — by close of business the previous day — to the Sergeants-at-Arms. They will make a determination if distribution is appropriate and carry out the process. PEOPLE Salute ... If you need some great tips on recruiting members for AFSCME’s PEOPLE program, look up Maryland Council 67’s Dorothy Bryant and Mike Sansone from Wisconsin Council 24. Over the past year, Dorothy and Mike have signed up 800 PEOPLE members each. Early Birds Get Applause ... President McEntee led the Convention in cheering the first two delegates in the Convention Hall: Alvain Boose and Mary Collins from Illinois Local 1111 (Council 31).
PEOPLEThe PEOPLE Booth opens early each morning. Starting today, there will be a PEOPLE drawing every day for a Pentium 3 personal computer, complete with a color printer and a scanner. Come to enter—and to buy great stuff.
Winners AllAFSCME Activist Center — Names drawn on Monday: Barbara Jackson, WI Local 1055 (Council 48); Kimberly Martin, IL Local 1019 (Council 31); Georgianna Neller, NY Local 420 (DC 37); Charles Wood, IA Local 2989 (Council 61); Pat Hurley, NY Local 372 (DC 37); Joe Stone, CN Local 1565 (Council 4); Robin Price, DE Local 1525 (Council 81); Clint White, CN Local 391 (Council 4); Carolyn Bass, NY Local 1549 (DC 37); and Edward Camacho, PA Local 696 (DC 33). Organizing — Cora Casey, NY Local 957 (DC 37), won the T-shirt awarded Sunday; she was the first AFSCME member to sign up as a volunteer organizer. The Monday winner was Donna Edwards, MD Local 112 (Council 92). Health and Safety — Linda Thornburg, PA Local 2763 (Council 13), won the first drawing for an attaché case. The above winners should return to those locations to claim their prizes. AFSCME Advantage — Connie Ronca from PA Local 2592 (Council 13) wins the first drawing: a $500 credit toward her AFSCME MasterCard.
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