PEP, September 2016: DC 37 at 42nd AFSCME CONVENTION: PEOPLE HAVE THE POWER

Public Employee Press

DC 37 at 42nd AFSCME CONVENTION
PEOPLE HAVE THE POWER

By DIANE S. WILLIAMS

A SHOW OF UNION POWER and PERSEVERANCE drew more than 4,000 delegates from 46 states to attend the 42nd international convention of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees in Las Vegas, Nev., July 18 through 22. They came resolved to never quit the fight for jobs, communities, and an economy that works for everyone.

"To those who try to scapegoat public service workers, demeaning and denigrating us, questioning our professionalism and blaming us for fiscal recklessness, what do we say? To anyone who questions whether AFSCME is still up to the task of making America happen, what do we say?" asked fired-up AFSCME President Lee Saunders. Delegates chanted: "We never quit!"

AFSCME has strengthened its membership by enrolling over 340,000 new members in a nationwide organizing campaign. The 1.6 million-member union stands tall, facing down court challenges like the Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association case to suppress unions' right to collect dues and ability to provide services. And AFSCME keeps on winning contracts that protect members' wages, benefits and pensions. Convention delegates reelected Saunders president of AFSCME, and in a contested race, Secretary-Treasurer Laura Reyes enjoyed a sweeping victory to a second term with over 916,000 votes.

"We're with her"

On July 20, Secretary Hillary Clinton made a concrete case for her candidacy for president of the United States. She contrasted her decades-long support for working families with reality-TV star and billionaire real estate mogul Donald Trump's mean-spirited divisiveness and record of failed and bankrupt businesses that defrauded workers and students.

"AFSCME, you have my back, and as president I'll have yours," said Clinton. She outlined reasons Saunders and tens of thousands of AFSCME members enthusiastically support her for U.S. president.

"When I'm president," Clinton said, "working people will always have a seat at the table and a champion in the White House. I'm proud to be in the trenches fighting alongside you to raise wages and keep the 'public' in "public service." DC 37's 250 delegates unanimously elected Executive Director Henry Garrido and Local 371 President Anthony Wells as AFSCME international vice presidents. Adding to its progressive agenda, AFSCME head Saunders announced the union's new and exclusive free online college benefit.

At an afternoon rally for economic justice for Culinary Workers Union Local 226 and Bartenders Local 165, over 2,000 convention delegates turned up the heat on Trump Hotel Las Vegas. Trump International refuses to negotiate a fair labor contract and is carrying out an aggressive anti-union campaign, including firings and intimidation of union supporters, a National Labor Relations Board investigation confirmed.

The Rev. Dr. William Barber II challenged public employees and unions saying, "We need a moral revolution of values to address the moral crisis at the heart of our democracy right now. I came by AFSCME to call code!"

Though the labor movement helped win the civil rights struggle 50 years ago, the fight is not over as long as racism and violence, voter suppression, xenophobia and economic injustice exist, Barber said. "It's time for the labor movement and the civil rights movement to realize we are the moral defibrillator of our time!"

At workshops and committee sessions, AFSCME delegates crafted resolutions affirming their commitment to end gun violence and to win racial and economic justice while honoring public safety officers, who serve and protect the public, regardless of race, color or beliefs.

And in an important shift, AFSCME resolved to partner more closely with the Service Employees International Union to organize and build political power for working people.