AFSCME’s International Convention: Coming Together in the Cradle of Liberty (Internal Link)
Philadelphia, “City of Brotherly Love,” will host thousands of AFSCME sisters and brothers June 26 through 30 for the 34th AFSCME International Convention.
AFSCME’s first Convention of the new millennium will be an opportunity to celebrate the progress made on our priorities of organizing new members, using our political power to fight right-wing attacks on working families, and halting privatization.
It will provide a forum for workshops to educate and reinvigorate our commitment to labor and also afford an occasion to renew acquaintances and make new friends.
Philadelphia, steeped in political history, is an especially appropriate city for AFSCME members who will help determine the outcome of presidential, congressional, state and local elections throughout the country this year
It was in Philadelphia that delegates to the First Continental Congress met in September 1774 to discuss their grievances against King George III and to decide that the colonies would boycott British goods. At Independence Hall, George Washington was appointed commander-in-chief of the Continental Army in 1775. The Declaration of Independence was adopted here on July 4, 1776.
Philadelphia has an illustrious culinary history. For instance, it’s home to cheesesteaks, hoagies, soft pretzels, Peanut Chews, and Double Bubble, America’s first bubble gum.
The city also is where thousands of AFSCME members work. DC 33 represents 13,000 blue- and white-collar employees, including clerical workers. DC 47 represents 6,000 white-collar employees in the public sector and non-profit agencies. The National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees/AFSCME Local 1199C represents more than 11,000 private-sector health care workers in the city. Council 13 represents about 3,000 state employees in Philadelphia.
Registration for the Convention begins Saturday, June 24, in the Pennsylvania Convention Center at 2 p.m.
The Convention will be called to order at 10 a.m., on Monday, June 26.
The Delegates’ Reception will be held Sunday at 6 p.m. in the Grand Hall of the Convention Center.
The official Convention Call — including representation procedures, credential rules, housing applications, “We Are Family” forms and resolutions — is being sent to all AFSCME councils, locals, affiliates and retiree chapters.
Shuttle bus service will be provided to and from all hotels with which the International has made arrangements. Daily shuttle service will run in the morning and upon adjournment of each day’s session.
Convention Housing and Travel
Blocks of rooms have been set aside for delegates and alternates at the hotels listed in the accompanying box. Each of the hotels has accessible rooms.
AFSCME has negotiated special round-trip airfares for travel to the Convention. Our Convention Hotline can handle your travel arrangements, including assistance with airlines, car rental and pre- and post-Convention travel packages.
For more information on the Convention, call (202) 429-1142 or consult AFSCME’s Web site: www.afscme.org.
Convention Highlights:
‘We are Family’ Sessions. AFSCMEsponsors a program to educate and entertain AFSCME children, delegates’ spouses and guests. There is no charge for the sessions, which are held during regular Convention hours on Tuesday, June 27 and Wednesday, June 28. Register for these sessions along with other Convention registration on Sunday, June 25, and Monday, June 26, or during regular Convention hours.
Equal Partners Breakfast. Scheduled for Wednesday morning, June 28, this event features a surprise speaker, so register early!
Sightseeing Tours. Pre-registration is required to tour this great city. See details in the Convention Call packet.
Convention Day Care. Child care is available each of the five days of the Convention, beginning one-half hour before and ending one-half hour after the daily session. A sign-up form will be in the Convention Call.
People Events
PEOPLE BOOTH. Open all week starting on Saturday, June 24, during registration hours.
PEOPLE Merchandise. A wonderful line of union-made wares will be available for your donation. This will be a great opportunity to pick up a souvenir of the Convention while helping out AFSCME’s important program.
Tenth Biennial Fun Run. The City of Philadelphia will offer everyone a chance to be “Rocky” for a morning. The race begins at 7 a.m. on Thursday, June 29. You may register from Saturday, June 24 until the end of the session on Wednesday, June 28.
AFSCME $2000 PEOPLE Raffle. One lucky winner will be drawn and awarded a prize of $2,000 during the sessions on Tuesday, June 27, Wednesday, June 28 and Thursday, June 29. The sellers of the winning tickets will also be awarded a cash prize.
Philadelphia 2000 Hotel Information
Best Western-Center City
Clarion Suites
Crowne Plaza
Double Tree Hotel
Embassy Suites
Hawthorn Suites
Hilton Garden Inn
Holiday Inn Express-Midtown
Holiday Inn-Independence Mall
Korman Suites Hotel
Loews Hotel
Sheraton Society Hill
The Warwick Hotel (USA Hotel Guide listing)
Wyndham Franklin Plaza
Hotel Windsor
Hotel Sofitel (French hotel chain. Web site is in French)
