Public Employee Press

Historic AFSCME convention elects Lee Saunders Secretary-Treasurer

By JANE LaTOUR

AFSCME's 39th International Convention was historic for the 1.6-million-member union as 5,000 delegates, alternates and guests bid farewell to retiring legend Bill Lucy and elected bold and battle-hardened former DC 37 Administrator Lee Saunders as Secretary-Treasurer.

Delegates at the Boston convention debated resolutions that defined AFSCME's stand on national issues, heard messages from labor and political leaders, strengthened their leadership skills in workshops and rallied thousands strong on the Boston Common with local municipal workers facing imminent layoffs.

"We are rising up to defend the public services we provide and the ideals we believe in," said Gerald W. McEntee, president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, DC 37's national union, as he kicked off the June 28 - July 2 conference.

McEntee laid out AFSCME's goals for the upcoming years: defending good jobs and pensions, protecting public services, regulating Wall Street so the firms that brought on the current economic disaster cannot do it again, and winning the battle for America's future in the November elections.

History in the making

On Tuesday, June 29, he proudly took the microphone on the convention floor to nominate Saunders, his executive assistant, to fill the secretary-treasurer position held by Lucy for 38 years. Surrounded by enthusiastic DC 37 delegates, DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts seconded the nomination. She praised his accomplishments in rebuilding DC 37 after its darkest days in the late 1990s and keeping the union strong when the 9/11 attack closed its 125 Barclay St. headquarters.

"DC 37 knows firsthand that Lee Saunders has what it takes to be a great secretary-treasurer," Roberts said. In the fiercely contested vote, most of
DC 37 supported Saunders, who narrowly but decisively defeated CSEA Local 1000 President Danny Donohue and a little-known third candidate. Local 372 and DC 37 President Veronica Montgomery-Costa nominated Donohue.

McEntee led the delegates in a moving salute to Lucy, a member for 57 years who rose to prominence in 1968 as a leader of the sanitation workers strike that brought Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to Memphis, Tenn., where he was assassinated. Lucy's farewell remarks touched on significant chapters of his career, including founding the CBTU and the Free South Africa movement, and expressed his gratitude "for the opportunity to participate in so many struggles."

A number of honored guests addressed the convention, including Victoria Reggie Kennedy, the widow of U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy, who reminded delegates that "His dream was affordable, accessible health care for every man, woman, and child."

Sharing the struggle

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka charged that "As demand for public services increases, government is cutting back on the very services people need." UNITEHERE President John Wilhelm thanked AFSCME for its support during the six-year strike that won a union contract for maids at the Frontier Hotel in Las Vegas. Political strategist Donna Brazile talked about the union's leadership role in the battle for health care reform. "My mother died in Charity Hospital in New Orleans when I was 9. I thank you for standing up for all people," she said.

DC 37 delegates spoke out for a resolution condemning Arizona's new anti-immigrant legislation and addressed a wide range of issues, including support for child care, health care and library services. In early-morning workshops, participants studied strategies to combat privatization, and union brothers and sisters from across the country got together in dozens of caucuses to discuss issues facing their job sectors.

Delegates from library locals 1321, 1482, 1930, for example, talked with librarians from across the nation about fighting to keep the doors of public libraries open for patrons. A well-attended workshop on climate change and green jobs brought together union scientists and environmental protection workers.

Young "Next Wave" members held lively sessions and 500 women joined in a leadership café to discuss ways to promote participation of female members.

As Boston politicians debated a budget full of layoffs and service cuts on June 30, thousands of delegates in AFSCME green T-shirts rallied with members of area social service, college and library locals and marched to City Hall with signs that said "Show some guts, stop the cuts," and "Libraries, the only loans you can count on."

As he watched the sea of green and listened to speakers outlining the cuts facing Massachusetts public workers, Local 1070 Court Reporters Chapter Chair Chris Butters summed up his experience:
"As good as this convention is, it feels great to take action together about the things we're talking about."

The rally demonstrated the truth of the convention's theme, "AFSCME - Ready to Fight! Ready to Lead!"