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Chapters in Action

AFSCME Retiree Council

Representatives from AFSCME's 36 retiree chapters gathered in Anaheim, Calif., June 19-20, for the 24th Annual Meeting of the AFSCME Retiree Council. The following week (June 21-25), the entire Retiree Council attended the International Union's biennial Convention — serving as official delegates with full voice and vote.

Sitting around a large open-square table, retiree leaders attending the Annual Meeting shared information on their chapters' activities over the previous year, covering such categories as organizing, legislation campaigns, efforts to protect or improve retirement benefits, community service projects and social events.

They also heard AFSCME elected leaders and staff discuss issues of current concern to retirees and working families. Presentations focused on the erosion of employer-sponsored health care coverage; congressional action affecting seniors; the new Medicare/prescription drug law; and recent legal decisions on retiree rights.

Much of the discussion focused on the November elections. Larry Scanlon, director of AFSCME's Political Action Department, laid out the union's political program and his staff conducted a workshop on voting rights.

International Pres. Gerald W. McEntee welcomed the retirees to California and told them the Bush administration is presiding over the worst atmosphere for working people that he's seen in his 45-year career in the labor movement. "Their latest shot's overtime pay," he said. "The administration wants to take away a large measure of this right.

"And don't forget that there are 270,000 retired Steelworkers who have no health insurance because this administration won't help them. Oh, they'll help Enron," he noted, "but not workers or retirees."

To International Sec-Treas. William Lucy, the nation has declined dramatically under President Bush. "Things very different four years ago," he said. "We had large escalations in income for the lowest-earning groups and the lowest unemployment in years. A lot of people paid taxes and supported public services.

"But this administration is trying to reduce the role of government." He emphasized that Bush's efforts to privatize Social Security and Medicare are part of this anti-government bias.

Amidst all the talk of the U.S. Presidential race, the Retiree Council held elections of its own. All three chair officers chose to step down this year, so a whole new slate was elected in Anaheim. After passing a resolution honoring Doris Clark (Chair), Gary Tavormina (Vice Chair) and Maggie Blanch (Secretary) for their outstanding service, the retiree leaders elected Jerry LaPoint (President of Wisconsin Chapter 7) the new Chairperson of the Council.

Elizabeth Flanagan (President of Philadelphia Chapter 47) was elected Vice Chair and Loneste Blackwell (President of Ohio Chapter 1184) was elected Secretary.

Florida Units — NYC Retiree Chapter 37

Throughout the spring and summer, the Retirees Association of DC 37/AFSCME Retiree Chapter 37 has been strengthening its structure in the state of Florida — retirement home to thousands of members. New groups have been established in the Orlando and St. Petersburg areas, with initial meetings that have attracted over 100 retirees to each location. Both groups formed steering committees to plan organizing activities and a political action agenda for the fall campaigns.

Ohio Chapter 1184

In June, Chapter 1184 held a leadership meeting for officers of its 19 subchapters throughout Ohio. Participants discussed organizing goals, mobilization for the 2004 elections and the chapter's state legislative agenda. They also heard presentations by International Union staff on the new Medicare/prescription drug law and the Social Security/public pension offsets.

Retiree volunteers participated in a workshop on the unfair economy. Each retiree represented a different income group, demonstrating that 10 percent of the population now controls 70 percent of the nation's wealth.

Maryland Chapter 1

In July, Maryland Chapter 1 participated in a rally at the Capitol building in Washington, D.C., on behalf of H.R. 3767. Reps. Marion Berry (D-AR), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and Tom Allen (D-ME) outlined their bill for the retirees and said the Republican leadership was blocking a vote on the House floor.

H.R. 3767 would establish a prescription drug benefit in Medicare itself, a new choice alongside the private insurance plans offered by the 2003 Medicare/prescription drug law. Also under H.R. 3767, Medicare would be allowed to negotiate directly with the drug companies for lower prices — an action specifically banned by the 2003 law.

At the rally — where Chapter 1 members made up a large portion of the crowd — Democratic House Leader Nancy Pelosi (CA) announced the introduction of a "discharge petition" that could ensure a fair vote for H.R. 3767. To come to the House floor, the petition must be signed by more than 218 representatives.

Chapter 1 members followed the rally by writing to their representatives, urging them to sign the petition. In addition, Vice-Pres. Bill Stevens sent letters to the editor on the issue to newspapers around the state.

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