'The Power Is in This Room'

SAN FRANCISCO — The upbeat strains of Patti LaBelle's "New Attitude" and Bonnie Raitt's "Something to Talk About" set the mood for more than 1,000 AFSCME members as they gathered at the Hilton's Continental Ballroom in late June for the Western Regional Women's Conference.

They had lots to talk about. And their attitude was emblazoned in a huge banner above the dais: "When we fight, we win!"

A highlight of the three-day event was an organizing rally of child care workers held in the conference auditorium. "This is what we're all about," declared President McEntee as he introduced 135 child care workers representing eight child care associations. They marched to the stage wearing their green "Organize for Power" T-shirts, prompting a rousing ovation from the delegates. One of the workers, a Laotian, told a poignant tale to point up the necessity of having unions.

In her keynote address, U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) noted that a record 14 women now serve in the Senate. "Women can make the difference, and the power is in this room because women understand the bottom line," she said.

Six sisters drove that point across when they shared their personal experience regarding the impact of the economic crisis. Each related how the tax cuts, budget deficits, health care costs and wage freezes have been — as one put it — "a real pain for real people." Another panel featured four members who had engaged in organizing struggles and won.

McEntee closed the conference with a reminder that there were only 492 days until Nov. 7, 2004. "You are warriors and fighters," he exhorted. "It's AFSCME women who can bring the election home."