Here We Come, Chicago!
Delegates to the International's 37th Convention will chart the union's future.
By Clyde Weiss
With the balance of power in Washington teetering on the outcome of this November's general elections, AFSCME's 37th International Convention in Chicago this August promises to boil over with energy from the more than 6,000 delegates, alternates and guests who are expected to attend.
Poet Carl Sandburg called Chicago the "City of the Big Shoulders," and it will need them to host the Green Machine. From Aug. 7 through 11, AFSCME delegates will consider constitutional amendments and resolutions to implement the 21st Century Initiative, a bold, new plan to make AFSCME even stronger.
President McEntee and Secretary-Treasurer Lucy will address the critical issues confronting AFSCME in the difficult years ahead. Delegates will participate in educational sessions and honor our finest achievements in organizing, political action and other areas over the past two years.
Expectations are high that this 37th Convention will set a new record for contributions to AFSCME's political arm, PEOPLE, which raised $193,000 at the 2004 gathering.
UNPRECEDENTED CHALLENGES. The International last convened in the Windy City in 1996. During the decade since, says Henry Bayer, executive director of Illinois Council 31 and an International vice president, "The pressures on public service workers have been mounting, and now we face unprecedented challenges. At this Convention, we will have the opportunity to adopt a program that will help us meet them."
Seventy-thousand members strong, Council 31 represents all AFSCME members in Illinois. In Chicago and its suburbs, there are over 18,500 members, including city, county and state employees who perform a wide variety of jobs.
The council is constantly organizing. Beginning more than two years ago, it undertook what is still its biggest current campaign: to organize 10,000 employees — including 2,000 nurses — at Resurrection Health Care, the city's second-largest health care system, with seven hospitals.
As America's widely proclaimed Second City, Chicago offers visitors a great deal to do and enjoy. There are amazing sights, like Sue, the largest, most complete, and best preserved Tyrannosaurus Rex fossil at The Field Museum. There are the sounds of Chicago: jazz and blues at a number of great night spots. And of course baseball's White Sox, winner of the World Series in a four-game sweep last fall, and the beloved Cubs with their ivy-covered stadium, Wrigley Field. Plus lots of great shopping! Last, but not least: scenic Lake Michigan and the Navy Pier, the city's "lakefront playground."
Important Details
The Convention will be held at McCormick Place, 2301 South Lake Shore Drive.
Registration for delegates and alternates opens on Aug. 5 and closes on Aug. 8 at 1:00 p.m.
AFSCME's Retiree Council will meet the weekend before the Convention — Aug. 5-6 — to share information and plan activities for the year ahead.
Housing, workshop availability, child care services, PEOPLE events and other details will be included in the Convention Call package that will be mailed out to councils and locals in May.
April 4 is the earliest date for the election of Convention delegates (except for those from locals that meet less frequently than quarterly). July 18 is the deadline for regular credentials to be postmarked.
