WHEREAS:

Checkoff is a system for AFSCME members to voluntarily contribute to the PEOPLE fund through payroll deductions; and

WHEREAS:

            PEOPLE checkoff continues to be the best and most dependable way to raise PEOPLE money because income can be planned and allocated in the most efficient manner; and

WHEREAS:

            Where voluntary checkoff has been established, AFSCME members throughout the country have responded well and continue their deduction year after year and are also politically active at federal, state and local levels; and

WHEREAS:

            The need to raise voluntary funds is becoming even more crucial, now that right wing, corporate, banking and other special interest groups are raising huge sums of money to elect politicians who desperately want to undo the social progress and programs of the last 50 years; and

WHEREAS:

            In many jurisdictions, despite repeated efforts, AFSCME members have been unable to get agreements allowing for voluntary PEOPLE payroll deductions and the Electronic Funds Transfer System (EFTS) is now available as an alternative when payroll deduction is not possible.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

            That all councils, locals and retiree chapters of AFSCME without PEOPLE checkoff rights be urged by this Convention to seek an administrative agreement, contract clause or legislation where necessary to establish voluntary PEOPLE checkoff for their members; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

            That jurisdictions where checkoff has been established re-double their efforts to set a minimum goal of 10% at the Presidents Club/VIP level and to follow through with programs to achieve their goals; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

               That all councils, locals and retiree chapters in this International Union that do not have PEOPLE voluntary checkoff rights at the present time, and will to get them, take steps to implement an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFTS) that will provide a similar, easy mechanism for AFSCME members to participate in the PEOPLE Program in a regular on-going method; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

            That the states where PEOPLE checkoff rights have been revoked, that AFSCME work with the affected councils/locals to re-establish those rights; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

            The International Union PEOPLE Program should be prepared to assist all councils, locals and retiree chapters in their efforts to promote and sign up members.

SUBMITTED BY:    

Henry Bayer, Executive Director and Delegate 
AFSCME Council 31 
Illinois