Public Employee Press

People Power

Ready to take back the White House

By DIANE S. WILLIAMS

The clock is ticking down to the Bush administration’s end, when AFSCME’s green machine of volunteers will help send George Bush back to Crawford, Texas. DC 37 members have responded overwhelmingly to the grassroots PEOPLE program and AFSCME’s 21st Century Initiative.

More than 10 percent of DC 37 members are now activists contributing to PEOPLE, Public Employees Organized to Promote Legislative Equality, AFSCME’s grassroots political fundraising arm.

“For the last eight years the Bush administration has implemented policies that have not been favorable to unions or working families,” said DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts. “It is critical that we have a leader in the White House who understands the needs of working families. We have to elect members of Congress who support labor-friendly legislation and policies. PEOPLE contributions will help us do just that.”

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFSCME, DC 37’s parent union, set the 21st Century Initiative in place to raise millions in PEOPLE dollars, take back the White House in 2008, and gain control of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. With more than 468 federal seats, and numerous state and local offices up for election, the union needs more members involved in PEOPLE.

“As public-sector workers, our ability to deliver services depends on electing candidates who will defend and support policies that support us and the vital services we provide as government employees,” Ms. Roberts said.

District Council 37 has 15,089 contributors to PEOPLE. In 2007, 1,627 new members enrolled, and 1,114 members upgraded to the MVP level. “DC 37’s PEOPLE program has expanded its definition of grassroots political awareness and participation,” said New York State AFSCME Political and Legislative Director Brian McDonnell. “In the last three years DC 37 has kicked up its PEOPLE program and all of its locals have stepped up. More members than ever are participating, making the council a model for PEOPLE participation. DC 37 consistently is a top performer in the program.”

PEOPLE dollars at work
PEOPLE contributions are part of a 21st Century Initiative that includes member mobilization, activism, organizing and increasing voter registration and participation.

DC 37 is growing by organizing MetroPlus, Jobs Training Program participants, Central Park Conservancy employees and workers in other city parks run by nonprofit organizations whose employees have no union rights and protections.

PEOPLE contributions helped DC 37 win its most important recent victory: saving 1,500 jobs at the New York City Off-Track Betting Corp. The union mobilized hundreds of members on behalf of Local 2021 at a special OTB Lobby Day March 18 and at DC37’s Lobby Day May 6 in Albany.

“PEOPLE dollars also helped Board of Education Employees Local 372 win its five-year battle for legislation that mandates school cafeterias be outfitted for cooling systems,” explained DC 37 Political Director Wanda Williams. PEOPLE helps lobby lawmakers in the union’s push to protect the civil service and due process rights of provisional employees. PEOPLE funds also went to lobby Albany lawmakers to pass the pay bill for raises for state rent regulation employees in Local 1359.

“The political strength of our union is that it is powerful in every corner of the state,” McDonnell said.

“We have strength in numbers, we have people and we have PEOPLE power,” said Ms. Roberts. “And we will prevail against those who attack labor and the public services we provide.”