Members Give Convention Two Thumbs Up — Way Up!
Convention 2000 was a knockout. But why take our word for it? Here's what your union sisters and brothers who were there had to say about it.
Our members [corrections officers] probably wouldn't have liked the vote on criminal justice resolutions. But if they had the understanding I do now, after listening to the debate, they would be supportive.
Elton Harris
Missouri Local 1810 (Council 72)
I've been to every AFSCME Convention since 1976, and I am still fascinated by it. Every time it gets better and better.
Ellen Sheared
New Jersey Local 2215 (Council 71)
Sometimes you think your problems are just so huge; and then you connect with other people and find out your problems aren't as big as you thought. You just get revitalized to go home and start all over again.
Jeanne Weaver
Pennsylvania Local 2047 (Council 83)
The Privatization Unfair — and all the information on privatization — was great. They have privatized the whole laundry at the hospital I work for. We'll use tactics we've learned at the Convention to keep the hospital city-owned.
Donna Arends
Minnesota Local 3296 (Council 65)
The Convention is a place where you feel like you're really one family.
Kathy Franklin
Wisconsin Local 1925 (Council 40)
It gave me inspiration to go back and tell my members that we have to work together — to tell them that the union is YOU.
Theresa Williams
Illinois Local 386 (Council 31)
It was encouraging for me to hear from the International's health and safety office that they are very aware of what is happening in my state. For example, many public employees in Florida are unaware that OSHA does not cover them.
Fran Neilsen
Florida Local 3039 (Council 79)
I valued the information on how to deal with some of the different strategies for organizing — gaining membership and steward training.
Jerry Sampract
Louisiana Local 1848 (Council 17)
I feel energized, like we all could move mountains.
Charmayne Campbell
Maryland Local 266 (Council 92)
I love meeting people from other states and other locals, learning that we're not the only ones [with public employee problems], that there's support all across the country.
Barb Levon
Illinois Local 3368 (Council 31)
I wish that we could have a sea of green like this in St. Paul.
Mike Windley
Minnesota Local 1842 (Council 14)
I was literally in tears yesterday at the march to see so many sisters and brothers working together.
Michael Sveda
Pennsylvania Local 2100 (Council 13)
The best thing about this Convention is they had some really dynamic speakers: Sheila Jackson Lee, [Al] Gore and [Richard] Gephardt. On the organizing side, people were upbeat.
Carl Martin
Iowa Local 3450 (Council 61)
The Convention is wonderful. It makes you proud to be a part of AFSCME. There are so many people in the union; you can see the strength.
Susie Uwekoolani
Hawaii Local 152
