Ready to Fight! Ready to Lead!
Delegates to AFSCME’s 39th International Convention in Boston vowed to continue fighting — in the streets, at state legislatures and city halls, and in the U.S. Congress — to preserve our victories and protect public services.
Energized and emboldened by the Convention battle cry, delegates to AFSCME’s 39th International Convention in Boston vowed to continue fighting — in the streets, at state legislatures and city halls, and in the U.S. Congress — to preserve our victories and protect public services. To gear up for the challenges ahead, members rolled up their sleeves in June and got down to Convention business. Here are some highlights.=
Road Map to Victory
Photo: Luis Gomez
In his keynote address, President McEntee called on Convention delegates to fight for good jobs that allow us to support our families; defend the public services that make American happen; protect our retirement security; and focus our efforts on the decisive battles that await us in the November mid-term elections, “because the winners will set the tone for public services and directly impact us and our work.”
Honoring A Champion
Photo: Jim West
On Day Two, more than 5,000 delegates, alternates and guests paid tribute to Sen. Edward “Ted” Kennedy (1932 — 2009). Widely-hailed as ‘The Lion,’ Kennedy laid the groundwork for health care reform up until only a few months before its historic passage. Following the presentation, President McEntee introduced Kennedy’s widow Vicki, who received a thunderous welcome. She commended AFSCME members for working arm-in-arm with her late husband. “He said to me many times that AFSCME members were working not out of a sense of their own personal benefit,” she remarked, “but out of a great sense of obligation to their fellow Americans.”
Protect Public Services!
Photo: Jim West
Thousands of AFSCME activists showed their political muscle and solidarity at a Boston Common rally on Day Three. Participants supported Massachusetts Council 93 members who are fighting on several fronts to prevent the planned closure of four of the state’s six long-term residential hospitals for those living with developmental disabilities, to keep all branches of the city’s public libraries open, and prevent layoffs of library employees.
Laying the Foundation
Photo: Jim West
AFSCME generations came together onstage to highlight the commitment of AFSCME activists across the board. They are represented (from left) by Elvyss Arguetta of Local 88 (Oregon Council 75), and retirees Howard Van Kleef (Ohio Council 8) and Phyllis Zamarripa (Colorado Council 76). Next Wavers like Arguetta — members age 35 and younger — are building upon a proud legacy, inspired by the activism of their elders. The program, which featured a video of a cross-country trip, showed how generations of AFSCME leaders can learn from each other to improve the lives of working people.
Taking Charge
Photo: Luis Gómez
At the first-ever Women’s Leadership Café, hundreds of AFSCME women shared ideas and experiences and brainstormed on what it takes to be an effective leader. During a lively two-hour session, they listened to their sisters talk about what it means to take charge and how being in a powerful union builds confidence and leadership skills. Philadelphia city accountant Marguerite Morgan said she became a recording secretary of Local 2178 and a trustee of District Council 47 after just seven years as an AFSCME member “because our officers saw something in me I didn’t even see in myself.”
Sworn-in
Photo: Luis Gómez
Elected by the delegates as the new International Secretary-Treasurer, Lee A. Saunders — former executive assistant to President McEntee — is sworn in to office pledging to “advance the interests of our members and the working people of this country.” In his concession speech, IVP and Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA)/Local 1000 Pres. Danny Donohue congratulated Saunders and called for unity. “When you put yellow and blue together, you have green,” Donohue noted, alluding to the candidates’ campaign colors. Gary Mitchell was also elected International vice president representing the Wisconsin District. He is Local 2412 president, Wisconsin State Employees Union, Council 24.
Keeping Our Union Strong
Photo: Jim WestAFSCME members from across the country shared their stories and struggles of fighting nearly insurmountable odds to form a union and keep it strong. Because we are passionate about organizing, nearly 44,000 new members joined us on the front lines last year — making us the number one organizing union in the AFL-CIO. See related story on Page 20. In this photo, Jeanetta Caw, a personal caregiver, and her client Janet Wilson share the story of 12,000 home health care workers who won a statewide ballot election twice and defeated repeated legal challenges to form the Missouri Home Care Union. For more on how home health care workers are winning a voice with AFSCME, see Pages 16 and 17.
