Public Employee Press

AFSCME Convention Diary
Delegates tackle tough issues in workshops


The headlines from AFSCME's 39th International Convention focused on the election of Lee Saunders as secretary-treasurer and the huge rally backing Boston public workers who are battling layoffs.

Another fascinating feature of the June 28 - July 2 conference was the workshops that brought together union brothers and sisters from across the country to discuss challenges to public employees.

The Next Wave: "We need to listen to young people and hear their ideas," said 311 Call Center staffer Kenneth Johnson at the "Generations Roundtable." The discussion included a wide range of workers and retirees - the "Veterans" born in the 1920s and '30s, "Baby Boomers" (1944-'64), "Gen Xers" (1961-'80), and "Millennials" (1981 on).

Many unionists stressed the need for younger members to learn about the struggles that won today's benefits and get active in today's battles to save jobs and improve conditions.

A prime topic was how the recession is affecting different generations. "My generation is feeling it very directly. I see it every day. You go to college and then you face student loans, but there are no jobs," said Natasha Isma from MetroPlus at a table of Local 1549 "Next Wavers."

Privatization: Nationwide, from call centers in Indiana to food banks in Texas, privatization endangers public employees. The drive to privatize was part of the Bush agenda and it continues to escalate. Workshops on the issue focused on human services and infrastructure.

Government workers from Akron, Ohio, and Milwaukee told of the strategies they used to convince voters of the dangers of privatizing public water systems and stop the plans. More information on fighting privatization is at www.afscme.org/privatization.

Green Future: Dennis Houlihan of AFSCME's Research Dept. led dynamic workshops on why the environment and sustainability - "using resources to enable current and future generations to meet environmental, economic and community needs" - are important to unionists.

DC 37 Assistant Associate Director Henry Garrido took part in a discussion of recycling campaigns to reduce waste, and structural inspections to cut energy consumption. "For a lot of us, it's about the jobs," said C.J. Mann of Oregon Local 3267. "It's our work, what we know and care about - the watersheds and the environment, health care and so many other jobs."

One participant said, "Change is coming. Management is part of it and we need to be in it too," and another suggested, "Coalition building with environmentalists can strengthen unions." More information is at www.afscme.org/green.

Industry Caucuses: "Management is cutting staff, while they keep the administrators," said Brooklyn Library Local 1482 President Eileen Muller at a lively Library Caucus. "We're facing the same thing," said Boston Library Local 1526 President Elissa Cadillic. Other sessions brought together workers in the fields of corrections, environmental protection, law enforcement, transportation, health care, emergency services and social services. Members can join online discussions with AFSCME brothers and sisters who do similar work at www.afscme.org.

— Jane LaTour