WHEREAS:

AFSCME and the American labor movement cannot continue to protect the rights and interests of workers without significant growth through organizing; and

WHEREAS:

Past AFSCME conventions have affirmed the principle that AFSCME and other unions must greatly increase organizing efforts and the resources dedicated to organizing; and

WHEREAS:

Past AFSCME conventions have set the specific goal that each level of the union, international, council and local, devote 30 percent of its resources to organizing; and

WHEREAS:

AFSCME has made great progress, organizing over 60,000 workers in 2001, in great part because the International Union increased organizing resources to 25 percent of the budget.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That the AFSCME International Union continue to increase organizing resources and meet the goal of 30 percent; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That each council and large unaffiliated local make specific plans with defined timetables to reach the goal of 30 percent for organizing; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

That locals affiliated with councils devote resources to organizing new workers by providing resources to council organizing programs and encouraging member involvement in organizing through the AFSCME Volunteer Member Organizer Program.

SUBMITTED BY: INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE BOARD