WHEREAS:
The primary way AFSCME improves the lives of our members and their families and the standard of living in our communities is through winning strong union contracts; and
WHEREAS:
Contract negotiations are where the struggle to improve our living standards is joined, with both public and private employers resisting those efforts and even attempting to roll back our gains; and
WHEREAS:
The ability to win strong union contracts depends on the strength of our union at the time of the negotiations; and
WHEREAS:
The strength of our union depends on the number of members we represent and the opportunity, willingness and ability of our members to become active in fighting for a strong contract; and
WHEREAS:
The way members become active is through training, leadership and effective planning that involves them; and
WHEREAS:
The best time to activate our members and strengthen our union is in support of contract negotiations.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
AFSCME councils and locals will use each contract negotiation as an opportunity to strengthen our union by educating, activating and mobilizing our members; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
In preparation for each contract negotiation, each council and/or local union will develop a plan for communicating person-to-person with every member in every work location to inform the members of the upcoming contract negotiations, to solicit their ideas, and to get commitments to take actions in support of a stronger contract; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
Councils and locals shall as part of their contract campaigns insure that every fee payer is approached individually and asked to become a member as a means of demonstrating that the union speaks for all represented employees; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
Throughout the contract negotiations there will be regular communication to the membership through the one-on-one communication network, and there will be well planned collective activities by the membership in support of the bargaining team; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:
That AFSCME commits itself to winning the best possible contracts for our members by fully utilizing our greatest strength-a well organized, well educated, mobilized membership.
SUBMITTED BY:
Henry Bayer, Executive Director and Delegate
AFSCME Council 31
Illinois