Making History Where History Thrives

Boston, where Paul Revere made his famous ‘Midnight Ride,’ is a city where history is made. So it’s appropriate that an estimated 5,000 AFSCME delegates will convene here this June to set the union’s course for the next two years.

The Convention will be held at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, in the city’s waterfront district. (Photo credit: Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau)

The Convention will be held at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, in the city’s waterfront district.

Boston, where Paul Revere made his famous ‘Midnight Ride,’ is a city where history is made. So it’s appropriate that an estimated 5,000 AFSCME delegates will convene here this June to set the union’s course for the next two years at the 39th International Convention.

The theme of this year’s week-long Convention — “Ready to Fight! Ready to Lead!” — displays AFSCME’s determination to build political strength, grow through effective organizing and fight like never before to preserve vital public services during the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.

AFSCME activists helped take back the White House, win a labor-friendly majority in Congress and achieve health care reform. Now members are working to win more change, including passage of the Employee Free Choice Act, which is critical to restoring our freedom to bargain for better wages, benefits and working conditions. AFSCME activists across the nation are also fighting to prevent drastic cuts in state and local budgets that threaten to derail the nation’s economic recovery.

Convention delegates will meet from June 28 to July 2 to consider key policy resolutions and Constitutional amendments, to learn how to deal with the challenges ahead and to re-energize their commitment to AFSCME’s “Power to Win” goals: expanding our ranks, mobilizing more activists and increasing political power throughout our union.

In Massachusetts, AFSCME Council 93 represents more than 38,000 state, county and municipal workers, and employees of public and private higher educational institutions. More than 2,000 members serve citizens of Boston, in public works and at public schools and libraries. The council also represents more than 10,000 members in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont.

Registration

Registration for delegates and alternates opens Saturday, June 26, at 1 p.m. and closes at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, June 29.

Reception

A delegates’ reception will be held on the evening of Sunday, June 27. The Convention formally opens for business on Monday, June 28, and ends on Friday, July 2.

Retirees Council

AFSCME’s Retirees Council will meet June 26 — 27, the weekend before the Convention opens.

Convention Delegates

February 28 was the earliest date for the election of Convention delegates, except for those from affiliates that meet less frequently than quarterly, and this restriction does not apply to any elected officer serving as an automatic delegate as provided in the affiliate’s constitution.

Secretary-Treasurer Lucy Tribute

The week’s highlights will include a special tribute recognizing the leadership, service and commitment of Sec.-Treas. William Lucy, who retires in June.

Credentials

Regular credentials must be postmarked no later than June 8, 20 days prior to the opening of the Convention. Credentials postmarked after that date are considered irregular, and such delegates will not be included in the initial Report of the Credentials Committee, but will be included in any reports after the Convention votes to seat these irregular delegates. This date is also the deadline for submission of resolutions. Resolutions not postmarked by this date may only be considered after a two-thirds consenting vote of the Convention.

Fun Run

The Fun Run will be held on Thursday, July 1, starting at 6:30 a.m. at Castle Island.

Workshops

Workshops will be held Sunday, June 27, and Monday, June 28, from 2 — 3:30 p.m.

Orientation

First-time Delegate Orientation, in both English and Spanish, will be held on Sunday, June 27, from 3:30 — 5 p.m.

Convention Online

For more information, visit the Convention section of our website at http://www.afscme.org/convention