WHEREAS:

Maintaining existing, and building additional, support for working families and effective public services is dependent upon the election of candidates who will prioritize and champion the issues important to AFSCME members; and

WHEREAS:

AFSCME plays an essential role in ensuring the election of candidates who stand for what matters to our members—candidates who will not only support, but who are committed to leading the fight to protect the public services that benefit all Americans and ensure that hard-working public employees earn fair wages, affordable health care and a secure retirement.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

Selecting candidates to receive AFSCME's endorsement and its support should be the result of a thorough evaluation of candidates and their campaigns. Candidates seeking an endorsement should be required to complete a written questionnaire and sit down with the union for a face-to-face interview. AFSCME should also consider candidates' viability, as well as the professionalism and fundraising ability of their campaigns, when making endorsement determinations; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME and its affiliates will use thorough and detailed processes to ensure that candidates and elected officials endorsed by the union are committed to championing the issues most important to the union and are committed to being leaders on our most important matters; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

Following the endorsement of candidates, AFSCME should maintain regular meetings and ongoing communications with candidates and their staffs throughout the campaign, and with elected officials once in office, to ensure that these individuals are informed and able to champion the issues important to working people; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

That AFSCME and its affiliates will communicate regularly with members to ensure that they are informed on the issues and engaged in the political process, with the understanding that

encouraging members to participate in the political process—through actions including canvassing, phone-banking and voting for endorsed candidates, participating in lost-time programs, making phone calls and writing letters to elected officials, and attending legislative hearings and political rallies—is essential to ensuring that candidates and elected officials are held accountable.

SUBMITTED BY: Debra Garcia, Executive Director and Delegate

Michael Torres, President and Delegate

David Bride, Secretary-Treasurer and Delegate

AFSCME Council 962

Indiana