In Living Politics
From small towns to the halls of Congress, political decisions can shape the future for AFSCME members and their families.
On Monday, when Colorado Local 1335 (Council 76) Delegate Daniel Archibeque took the Convention floor mike, it was not to debate an issue but to thank AFSCME for its help.
His story illustrates the power of AFSCME councils and locals to help their members by electing pro-worker candidates.
In Local 1335’s case, it was a $250 campaign contribution from AFSCME that made all the difference in the grassroots effort to oust an incumbent county commissioner. The local campaigned against her not only for its own sake but also because she supported the Oregon Steel company against its striking employees. The county commissioner was defeated with AFSCME’s help, and Matt Peulen, a retired Steelworkers’ union member, was elected.
Politics was a central theme of the Convention. Elected officials and AFSCME members took aim at the right-wing extremists who are threatening members’ jobs and well-being. “It’s a critical time for workers because we’re either going to sink or swim now,” explained Delegate Barbara Moloney, president of Local 670, Civil Service Employees Association/AFSCME Local 1000. “We’ve got to work really hard to win Congress back. I think our members underestimate the power of their vote. We’ve got to convince them.”
Patsy Mink
Veteran Defender of Labor
With 22 years in Congress, Rep. Patsy Mink (D-Hawaii) has seen many attacks on working people — but none like the right-wing campaign of the last four years. “The things that they [the congressional extremists] have tried to do to crush the Labor movement ... It is mind-boggling to even try to understand the mentality of this current majority that believes that they can direct how, when and under what circumstances your own dues can be spent!”
Mink thanked AFSCME for supporting her fight to defend the interests of union members. “We [Democrats] have had the ability as a minority party to stand the line, to defend the rights of working people because we knew we could count on AFSCME and your leadership.”
AFSCME members throughout the nation must join this struggle, she said. “We need your help; we need you out there to constantly tell your members that indeed the extremists’ central target is to destroy the Labor movement and certainly to diminish its impact in the elections, which was significant in 1996 and will be even more significant in 1998.”
Gray Davis
Heat-Seeking Missile Against the Radical Right
Early in his successful campaign for the Democratic nomination for governor of California, Gray Davis raised $50,000 in contributions. He was in third place. But he gave the money to AFL-CIO Pres. John Sweeney to fight California’s Proposition 226, the “Paycheck Deception” initiative that would have silenced working families. Davis understood the importance of union participation in the political process.
Prop 226 went down in flames.
“You won the battle, but the war is not over,” he told the AFSCME Convention. “The real agenda of the right is to wear you out, deplete your resources. Now is the time to get ready for November.”
During his years in California public office, Davis has frequently come to state workers’ defense. He led efforts to stop Gov. Pete Wilson (R) from diverting pension funds. “No elected official can ever steal money from a pension plan in California,” he said.
Davis was also on the mark when, as state controller, he continued to pay workers during a budget dispute. “The governor sued me,” he said, “and the judge said I was right.” As a University of California regent, Davis fought the elimination of affirmative action and won domestic partner benefits.
“I am like a heat-seeking missile. I’m doing my part, but you have to do your part to make sure we send the right wing packing,” said Davis.
“I will end the pitting of one group against another. The governor should be productive instead of destructive. The governor should appeal to the better angels of your nature not your darker instincts,” he told the delegates. “You can make the difference.”
Neil Abercrombie
Gingrich’s Number-One Target
With his 98 percent pro-AFSCME voting record, Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii) was speaking to a large group of friends when he addressed the Convention. But he has some powerful enemies back in Washington, D.C.
“I’m happy to be the number-one target of Newt Gingrich and his team,” thundered Abercrombie, “and I’m here to say: ‘Come and get me.’”
He noted that the Labor movement is the basis for freedom everywhere in the world and that it was unions that “let people come up from the bottom and reach for the stars.”
Abercrombie was clear in his support for workers and their unions, but he charged the delegates to take action.
“Consider it a sin not to vote, not to register,” he said. “Everybody in this auditorium needs to take a vow to work, work, work to see that pro-Labor candidates are elected in November 1998. We’ve got to see to it that we’re going to put in a Speaker [of the House] who’s for America’s people.”
Daniel Inouye
Labor’s Friend, Union Member
Hawaii’s senior senator, Daniel Inouye (D), shared his frustrations with the delegates.
“Some of the laws that have been passed by this Congress really sadden me,” he said. “This is a dangerous Congress.” He particularly pointed out congressional support for privatization and opposition to a minimum wage increase.
Inouye was not only speaking as a friend of Labor, but as a union member: He revealed that he has been a member of the Musicians’ Union since he was a young man.
Building on the Convention’s theme, Inouye told the delegates, “The future is important, and it is not going to be given to us on a silver platter. We’re going to have to fight for it.”
Ben Cayetano
Philippine-American Pioneer
When Hawaii Gov. Ben Cayetano (D) spoke to the Convention he called up the image of Hawaii’s cultural rainbow. “We have had the first Japanese-American governor in this state, the first Hawaiian-American governor, and I stand before you as the first Philippine-American governor.”
Cayetano, who is in a tight race for reelection, pointed out several Labor-supported public policies in which Hawaii leads the nation: public employee collective bargaining, mandatory pre-paid health insurance and a “network of programs for working families that is a model for the rest of the country.”
In the Hawaiian spirit of hospitality, Cayetano urged delegates to spend time with the Hawaiian people. “Open your hearts. Embrace our community. A little bit of Aloha will go home with you.”
By Susan Ellen Holleran
