Accelerating Into the New Century
It is clear that the challenges facing AFSCME and the entire labor movement have never been more daunting. The first administration of George W. Bush was bad; this second one will be plain awful. Bush has now made it clear that he not only sides instinctively and always with the rich and powerful, he also wants to destroy public sector unions.
In addition, our battles with him have grown fiercer, and the battlefield itself has expanded. Our right to bargain collectively is increasingly under attack by big corporations and the politicians allied with them. Anti-worker governors in three states have recently taken away that right, and state and local budget cuts threaten our jobs and contracts.
As President McEntee notes, "We've had some success at the ballot box, including electing key governors. But opposing forces now have a significant political advantage. We are the greatest union in America, but we face new challenges and tougher opponents, so we need to become stronger."
AFSCME set the stage for its counter-attack at our 36th International Convention last June, by authorizing formation of the 21st Century Committee. It is a 23-person group of International vice presidents, President McEntee and Secretary-Treasurer Lucy. The committee's charge is clear: Take a comprehensive look at our union and propose bold recommendationsto strengthen it.
FROM CONSENSUS TO ACTION. Five subcommittees, which include council directors and other affiliate leaders, will drive the committee's work. And the work won't be done only by our leaders. The committee wants member input — lots of it. Over the next 15 months, the committee plans to conduct field hearings; hold meetings and workshops, affiliate/local meetings and conferences; and conduct an online member survey and more.
What should we do to meet today's new challenges? You tell us! Tell us how to be a bigger and better AFSCME in the 21st Century.
BUILDING TOGETHER. "We are going to be systematic about communicating with our members, and listening to their views, on this important initiative," McEntee explains. "We'll use our magazine, our website, events and every opportunity we have to engage our members and staff at all levels.
"Our work will be thorough and reach into every aspect of our union's operations. Everything will be on the table for discussion and consideration. This is about making our union stronger to meet the new challenges and better serve our members."
The committee will have a full report — and resolutions and possible constitutional amendments to go with it — when we assemble at our 2006 Convention.
