Chicago '06: AFSCME Speaks Out
Our members are suffering under the anti-worker, anti-union regime of George W. Bush. Just ask María Guadalupe Alvarado, an Oregon child care provider and member. Alvarado, her husband and two kids have no health insurance. During the past four years, they have gone without "extras" — or even many necessities. Forget annual checkups or flu shots. And when her husband needed an emergency appendectomy, "he was kept waiting on the [operating] table while the hospital kept asking me, 'How are you going to pay for this?' It cost us $10,000, and we agreed to pay it off at $200 a month."
No wonder Alvarado says that "It's a terrible pain in my soul to be without health insurance."
That's why, with AFSCME's 37th International Convention just around the corner, we're looking not only at the big picture in terms of rebuilding our union but also at the day-to-day lives of our members. When we get to Chicago in August, we will focus on making changes and making history, from building respect for public employees to hammering out an inspiring plan to improve the lives of all our members. So no matter what the temperature says in Chicago, AFSCME is going to be hot!
PUBLIC AWARENESS
The American people have a short memory when it comes to the role public service workers play in their lives. Whether it's the terrorist attacks on 9/11, nature's attack on New Orleans or preparing for the possible attack of bird flu, our members are on the scene, able and willing to help. We need new and better ways to awaken the public to how we make sure our water is safe, our children and seniors are cared for, our roads are in good shape, and more.
At the Convention, we want to engage each and every delegate on the issues most important to AFSCME's survival and growth. Then, when our delegates leave the Windy City, they'll be headed on the path that leads to more power and dignity for public employees in every state, city, town and county in this country.
BIGGER, BOLDER, BETTER
Exciting events at this year's Convention include: innovative plans for online activism; powerful and visionary labor, celebrity and political speakers such as U.S. senator from Illinois, Barack Obama. Plus there will be new — and surprising — ways to engage delegates in considering the future. And don't forget to sign up for a labor history tour of the city and the biennial PEOPLE Fun Run. For more information about workshops, speakers and other events while there, just click the "Convention" button at www.afscme.org.
As you can see, we are pulling out all the stops so that AFSCME's 37th International Convention becomes truly unique and inspiring. With full participation, we can achieve our goals of increased appreciation for public services and the hard-working, dedicated people who provide them. We're also going to find more effective tools to beat back the attacks on bargaining rights, health care and pensions. In this way, we will grow the power and effectiveness of our union. We will prevail and prosper in the 21st Century . . . and beyond! We will win the respect we need to do our jobs. Remember, we are AFSCME, the Green Machine, and when we fight, we win!
