WHEREAS:

The best practices of adult and labor education demand a high degree of participant involvement in training programs which are relevant, which draw on the life and work experience of participants, and which are rooted in the organizational goals and priorities of the labor movement; and

WHEREAS:

There is an increasing sense of urgency with regard to the priority of organizing, both external and internal, as the core activity of the union, as we seek not only to provide the highest quality representation for union members but also to improve the lives of all working men and women and their families through social, political, and economic justice; and

WHEREAS:

Academic research and recent experience has led to a renewed appreciation for the effectiveness of involving workers and union members more deeply in a wider variety of union activities through an organizing model approach; and

WHEREAS:

Many AFSCME members and activists have been long involved in such organizing model approaches to labor education for locals and councils as the Local Union Training Instructor (LUTI) and Steward as Educator programs; and

WHEREAS:

The challenges of providing wider education and training opportunities for AFSCME members, activists, stewards, leaders, and staff demand innovative approaches and delivery systems involving volunteer education activists as well as full-time education specialists.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That the Department of Education and Leadership Training continue to develop and make available to AFSCME affiliates effective training exercises, discussion guides, curriculum, audio-visual aids, course outlines and other materials; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That the Department of Education and Leadership Training collaborate with affiliate education staff and activists, college and university labor centers, and other resources to identify the best practices for labor education; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

That the Department of Education and Leadership Training continue to provide training opportunities for International and affiliate staff and activists in effective teaching techniques and adult education methodologies, including the use of technologies such as distance learning where appropriate.

SUBMITTED BY:

Danny Donohue, President and Delegate
Barbara Reeves, Secretary and Delegate 
CSEA/ASCME Local 1000
New York