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The Next Wave Hits Chicago

July 14, 2009

electronic town meeting

AFSCME IS IN THE HOUSE – More than 500 AFSCME members participated in the Next Wave Conference’s electronic town meeting.

Photo Credit: Alexandra Buxbaum

AFSCME’s young members recently gathered in Chicago for the first Next Wave Conference – three days of activism, strategizing and learning about the labor movement. The event was attended by over 500 activists age 35 and under seeking to build their local unions.

Proceedings were kicked off by International Vice Presidents Lakesha Harrison (Local 3299 president) and Braulio Torres (Council 95 vice president), who conducted a boisterous roll call of delegations, setting the mood for the conference.

During an electronic town meeting members provided input on their goals and expectations as union activists and ideas on how to promote participation in their local unions. At workshops, attendees learned how to address the media, conduct local union meetings, develop leadership skills and understand the country’s financial crisis.

“It’s crucial for younger people to get involved in the union because of the simple fact that once the older members are gone you need somebody to pass all the knowledge,” says Local 1549 (DC 37) member Avery Seawright, a clerical associate at the Elmhurst Hospital Center in New York.

Members also rallied at Resurrection Health Care’s West Suburban Medical Center in support of employees who have been trying to form a union with AFSCME for the last seven years. The event protested the corporation’s targeting of four nurses who have been leading a campaign to improve nurse-to-patient ratios at their workplace.

Back at the conference, rally participants were greeted by AFSCME Pres. Gerald W. McEntee, who spoke about the importance of keeping the labor movement strong and ensuring that AFSCME’s future is as bright and vibrant as its past.

“I predict that one day, some of you will be up here encouraging other people 35 and under to work hard and stay connected and committed to AFSCME and labor,” McEntee said. “They will be the next ‘Next Wave.’ And you will be the teachers, the mentors, the role models.”

AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer William Lucy also spoke about the importance of building new leadership.

“We cannot delegate the responsibility for building the kind of society we seek either to our full-time adversaries or to our part-time allies. We must set the agenda and continue to build the power to make it a reality,” Lucy stated.

The AFSCME Next Wave program is providing the tools and connections to get younger members active and ready for future union leadership. Check out the Next Wave Toolkit to find out how to start a chapter, host events, get involved in elections and more.

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