AFSCME Comes Out Fighting
Only in Hawaii. Only in Hawaii would the presence of over 7,000 AFSCME International Convention delegates, alternates and guests make such a difference to the state’s economy — the most depressed in the nation. Only in Hawaii would Vice Pres. Al Gore skip the Washington suit-and-tie routine to make a major address in a boldly patterned shirt. Only in Hawaii would participants in the PEOPLE Fun Run finish their race to the sight of a magnificent rainbow.
AFSCME’s 33rd International Convention in Honolulu was not unique just because of its location: The 3,163 delegates from across the nation voted a bold new course for this union, giving it the direction and resources it needs to fight for working people into the next century.
“We can fight privatization, political extremism and disrespect for public employees and health care workers with the tools provided by this Convention,” says International Pres. Gerald W. McEntee. “We can fight more effectively for the future of every man and woman in this union.”
ALOHA, AFSCME. The first Convention to be held in Honolulu since 1974, AFSCME came to Hawaii at a difficult point in the state’s history. Hawaii has experienced a severe economic slump for the last seven years and public employees — most of whom are AFSCME members — are increasingly feeling the heat. Not only have 2,000 public workers been laid off in recent years but the state has held back promised pay raises.
Jeanette Matsumoto, president of the Hawaii Government Employees Association (HGEA)/AFSCME Local 152, explained that until AFSCME came to Hawaii “there was a real lack of appreciation for public employees.”
But when AFSCME announced that it would sponsor a public rally on Thurs., Aug. 27, Gov. Ben Cayetano (D) proclaimed the day “Workers Appreciation Day” and gave state employees the afternoon off to attend the event. He went one step further, pledging to provide state workers their overdue pay raise.
“The rally gave a loud message to the community that there are a lot of people who belong to the union,” Matsumoto said, “and that we can influence how things get done in a positive way.”
She added that the Convention was “quite a boost for the economy. The hotels were full, and the sightseeing spots and restaurants were busy.”
REJUVENATION. The last time Council 13 Staff Rep. Ed Scurry of Pennsylvania visited Hawaii was on his way to a 13-month tour of military duty in Vietnam. “This time,” he said, “I am in a different state of mind.”
Scurry and other participants came to the Convention to recharge their activist batteries, to hear addresses from national leaders, to discuss common problems, to tackle important issues and to feel a sense of solidarity with fellow AFSCME members.
Jacqueline Bond, the secretary-treasurer of Local 1178 (Council 31) in Chicago, admitted that her union responsibilities take a toll. “The Convention gave me a boost,” said the first-time delegate. “I’m energized and ready to work again.”
Russell Johnson, vice president of Local 1505 (D.C. 37), agrees. “This is a Labor environment, being here among our brothers and sisters,” the New Yorker said. “Seeing old faces and meeting new ones. I enjoy that the most. If they would have held this in Alaska in the middle of winter I would have gone.”
“This is a nice opportunity to network with other people and agencies, to get to know and meet other people who work in similar areas and to solve common problems,” added Californian Claudia White, a member of Local 3916 (Council 57).
SERIOUS BUSINESS. The Convention was built around four themes: increasing AFSCME’s strength through organizing, battling privatization, fighting political extremism, and improving the effectiveness of union operations. Convention-goers attended early morning workshops to learn about these subjects and then took up related resolutions and amendments in the daily plenary sessions. Delegates packed the Convention floor — and the discussion was always lively.
Recognizing a decline in AFSCME membership, the Convention voted to increase its strength by devoting more resources to organizing throughout the union.
“Increased organizing will help union members secure better contracts,” explained J. Marcell Hall, membership secretary of California Local 2019 (Council 57).
To fund this new push for organizing, the Convention voted to increase dues by $.50 a month in each of the next two years.
Robert Turner, president of Local 2210 (Council 71) in New Jersey, supports the organizing initiative. Asked about the dues increase, he responded “Is it too much money if it means a decent job and benefits?”
The Convention also voted to improve union operations by requiring the International to conduct financial reviews of every council and unaffiliated local with more than 2,000 members every year.
“We want to make absolutely certain that each local has basic financial systems in place and operating,” said International Sec.-Treas. William Lucy. “And we want to make 100 percent certain that the members of this union are confident that their bucks are being used to protect them and to advance their cause.”
