WHEREAS:

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), AFL-CIO, led the hard-fought and successful effort to bring a more inspired vision and a bolder, stronger voice to the American labor movement with the election of John Sweeney, Richard Trumka and Linda Chavez-Thompson; and

WHEREAS:

AFSCME is playing a leading role in the effort to make issues vital to working families a top priority of the Labor '96 campaign; and

WHEREAS:

The surge in public interest in organized labor which resulted from the New Voice campaign has created an unprecedented opportunity for AFSCME and other unions to educate a new generation of American workers to the value of union representation and collective bargaining; and

WHEREAS:

The growing influence of right-wing extremist radio and television commentators -- coupled with the increasing domination of the media by Gannett, Westinghouse, General Electric and a small handful of other corporate conglomerates -- also demands a new commitment to effective communications on the part of the labor movement and its allies; and

WHEREAS:

AFSCME recognizes that the mass media provides a powerful forum to inform, educate and influence both our 1.3 million-membership and the general public.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME will seize opportunities to use the media to project the struggles, successes, and challenges facing our union as a whole and our members individually; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME will make it a top priority to enhance the image of labor by reaching out to local and national print, electronic and other forms of media -- including the internet and minority-oriented media -- and by presenting labor's views on policies and issues affecting working women and men; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

That AFSCME will foster this commitment to media coverage by establishing and implementing mechanisms to communicate more effectively with AFSCME leadership and public relations staff and to better coordinate the Union's message with affiliates.

SUBMITTED BY:

INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE BOARD

Brenda Stokely, President and Delegate
Lorraine Guest, Delegate
AFSCME Local 215, Council 1707
New York