By LILLIAN ROBERTS
Executive Director
District Council 37, AFSCME

Together with our huge contract rally on October 29th, our work in the November 4th election will make a big difference in the lives of city workers for many years to come. Defeating the proposed Charter changes and electing City Council members who care about folks like us will strengthen our hand at the bargaining table, in budget negotiations and in the long-term battle for a better America.

Success on Election Day will stop the Charter changes that endanger our jobs and our democratic system. By canceling the Democratic primary, the proposals would weaken the voice of the public — and labor — in politics. And they would make it easier for the mayor to contract out our work. Success on Election Day will give New York a City Council committed to meeting the needs of working families.

Budget problems still threaten public services and public jobs, but the City Council has consistently stood with labor, the poor and middle-class communities against layoffs and service cuts. This year, the Council worked with the Legislature to stop the “doomsday” budget’s 10,000 layoffs. Then in negotiations with the mayor, the Council restored another $160 million to the city budget — based on the findings of our White Papers — and every penny saved more jobs.

Success on Election Day will send us into 2004 with an experienced, field-tested political action team ready to fight for the White House and Congress. Three million jobs have disappeared under President Bush. Next year we can elect national leaders who believe in a fair share for New York — leaders who will create jobs, invest in education, defend civil rights and civil liberties and protect Social Security and Medicare.

Success on Election Day — following our massive demonstration October 29th — will have our demand for a fair contract echoing through the corridors of City Hall. A resounding defeat for the Charter changes will send the mayor a message he cannot ignore and pave the way to more productive contract negotiations.

Success will not come easy, because some of our best friends on the City Council face tough electoral challenges November 4th. Through extensive research, a democratic screening process, and discussion and debate on your Executive Board, the union has endorsed candidates based on their record of accomplishments on behalf of our members. Now we have to help them win.

Success will not come easy, because big money is backing the Charter changes. This is no surprise, since the proposals would clear the path to even greater profits for consultants and contractors — at our expense — and make it easier for wealthy candidates to buy their way onto the ballot. They would destroy the Democratic Primary, making it harder for working class and minority candidates to get recognition and build electoral coalitions.

We can win on Election Day
We know people power can beat money power. We were tested on a rainy Election Day four years ago when Mayor Giuliani’s Charter changes were like a knife aimed at city workers and public services. Low turnout was expected to play into the hands of those who could afford to bombard the voters with TV ads. Their campaign had ten times the money we did. You couldn’t watch television without seeing a “vote yes” commercial.

In 1999, like today, we were fighting for the needs of our members and every working family citywide. Leading up to the vote, retirees and members at our phone banks made 100,000 calls. On Election Day, 2,500 union field volunteers — over 500 of them from DC 37 — distributed fliers and talked to voters. When the polls closed, we had crushed Mayor Giuliani’s Charter changes by a 3-1 vote. He had the money, but we had the people. People power won in 1999, and we can do it again in 2003.

But we can only win on Election Day if every possible member makes an effort. We have to vote and we have to volunteer. Bring every registered voter in your family to the polls. Bring your friends and neighbors. Call our Political Action Department at 212-815-1550 to volunteer for phone banks or field work.

On November 4th, I will be out there campaigning. I need you at my side.