Lobby Days

They came to Albany in busloads — from Buffalo to the Big Apple. Converging in front of the state capitol on April 12, more than 1,500 AFSCME members from across New York brought a three-point message to their state representatives: "Save public hospitals and nursing homes"; "Make agency shop permanent"; and "Hold contractors accountable."

The New Yorkers typified members of affiliates and councils nationwide, pressing their arguments with lawmakers on a wide variety of issues.

A large gathering of members — represented by DC 37, DC 1707, Councils 35, 66 and 82, and the Civil Service Employees Association/AFSCME Local 1000 — staged a lively rally at the Empire State Plaza, then went on to the Capitol to visit their representatives.

Earlier in the year, about 20 corrections officers from Council 27 held meetings and one-on-one sessions with Virginia state legislators to lobby for wage increases and better benefits. They came away with a 3-percent pay increase over two years and an additional $50 for every year of service.

And in Iowa, AFSCME members marched to the state capitol in Des Moines recently to demand an increase in the cigarette tax. "This is revenue the governor has promised to fund health care and other social services," said John Craig, president of Local 1185 (Council 61), adding with reference to Lobby Day, "It makes a difference when several hundred voices speak as one." Estimates show that if Iowa increases its cigarette tax by $1 a pack, an additional $180 million in revenue would be gained.