Kids, Glorious Kids!

By Susan Ellen Holleran

Although AFSCME's Convention is obviously a grown-up event, AFSCME children were everywhere — and both happily and productively so.

Some arrived in Philadelphia even before the Convention; they stuffed kits, ran errands and provided invaluable help in getting the show on the road. Children led the Pledge of Allegiance each Convention morning. Many, from the 6-month-old baby brought to see President Clinton to teenagers, attended Convention sessions. They will have special answers to the question, "What did you do on your summer vacation?" Some 75 younger kids were enrolled in AFSCME-provided child care.

For Kendra Sims, age 11, the high point was quality time spent with her dad. "What really stands out in my mind," Kendra said, "was all the people — the union. It's really cool how people can come together like that."

That togetherness was important to Frank O'Connor who lives in Alaska. His father was facing a possible strike last spring, but he explained to Frank, because the union was strong and together, the workers got a good contract. To the question, "Why do we need unions?" Shani Nelson may have had the best answer: "Unions are for people who aren't being treated right."

If there were unions at school, the youngsters made clear, they would have plenty of bargaining issues to deal with. Julian de Jesús mentioned "fair punishment for violations of school laws. If you get in trouble at my school, the teachers won't talk to you. They just send you out."

Those who wanted shorter school years, longer recess and more field trips debated others who felt there was no classroom time to spare if they wanted to learn and get good test scores. Better lunches, clean bathrooms, lighter books and more languages won votes, and there was a request for male teachers. Tiana Keiller's comment brought thoughtful nods: "I think we should have a better education system."