By DIANE S. WILLIAMS

An electrifying surge of AFSCME power energized 5,000 delegates and activists from locals and councils nationwide June 21-25 at the AFSCME International Convention. They left Anaheim, Calif., fired up to organize, mobilize and work harder and smarter than ever to elect Sen. John Kerry president of the United States.

“We’re going to take back our government, take back the White House and take back America this November,” boomed Gerald W. McEntee, president of the 1.4-million-member American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees. To attain victory, he said, “We’ve got to be out there putting boots on the ground, knocking on doors, making phone calls and visiting work sites.”

To motivate participants, AFSCME brought the big guns of the Democratic Party to its 36th and largest biennial convention. Speakers included Mr. Kerry, Rainbow/PUSH Coalition President the Rev. Jesse Jackson, campaign strategist Donna Brazile, AFL-CIO Executive Vice President Linda Chavez-Thompson, New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, former Iraq prisoner of war Shoshana Johnson and special guest former President Bill Clinton.

“The war in Iraq is one of the many reasons we need a new president,” Mr. McEntee said. “President Bush’s war on working families is another.” With the worst job loss since the Great Depression, skyrocketing health care costs and staggering budget deficits, McEntee said, “This president has got to go!”

With polls showing Mr. Bush and Sen. Kerry about even McEntee warned, “A vote for Ralph Nader, equals a vote for Bush.”

“The outcome of this race is more in your hands than in mine,” Sen. Kerry told the conventioneers and 30,000 members watching him via satellite and Web cast. “You understand what America is all about, what it needs. You helped build this country, and you defend it every day. And, thanks to you, we are one step closer to the end of the Bush administration!”

“Knowledge, commitment and sacrifice make for good soldiers in the battle,” said DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts. She chaired AFSCME’s Health Committee, which included six DC 37 local presidents. Her report to the full convention focused on staffing standards in public hospitals and other workplace issues.

Delegates voted on AFSCME’s policies, finances, political agenda and leaders. Mr. McEntee and Secretary-Treasurer William Lucy were unanimously reelected — but not without drama. After announcing that he would step down, Mr. Lucy bent to the strong feelings of delegates and accepted the eloquent nomination offered by DC 37 President Veronica Montgomery-Costa.

In a contested race, DC 37 delegates chose as their international vice presidents veteran DC 37 leader Joan Reed, president of Local 2054, and Local 1549 President and incumbent IVP Eddie Rodriguez. “This was a wonderful win, not just for me but for DC 37’s unity; I want to see that again,” said Ms. Reed.

“We are all winners,” Mr. Rodriquez added. “Joan and I will work as a team and speak for all the locals.” Delegates also passed a temporary 18-month dues increase of 50 cents per pay period. “This is a down payment on the future and will give labor the resources to fight for what we need,” said CSEA leader Danny Donohue.

“The day I become president is the day we start to strengthen the right to organize without interference from management,” said Sen. Kerry. He spoke out against privatization of Social Security and promised to secure a prescription drug benefit that “puts seniors ahead of big drug companies.”

“When its officials tell us ‘it’s good policy to export American jobs’,” he said, “the Bush administration has it absolutely backwards.” As the nation faces its most critical election in recent history, working families need to gird themselves for the battle ahead. It’s a battle for their survival and the survival of America’s middle class who are overtaxed, overburdened and whose backs President Bush is trying to break with anti-worker policies.

“John Kerry is a pro-worker candidate who believes in America,” Mr. McEntee said. “We must mobilize for the fight of our lives. With AFSCME power, we can continue to build our union and put America back to work. And after we’ve done our job and John Kerry is sworn in and enters the White House January 20, once again we’ll be able to say, ‘This land is our land.’ ”