WHEREAS:

In November of 2004, American voters will elect a President and Vice President, 34 United States Senators, 435 United States Representatives, 11 Governors and thousands more state and local officials; and

WHEREAS:

The rights of working families, public employees, public services and unions are being attacked by the current administration and Congress as they have never been attacked before; and

WHEREAS:

Many of these elections will be hotly contested; and

WHEREAS:

In order for pro-working family candidates to win, we must work closely with our allies to turn out union members, their families and other progressives in record numbers.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME councils and locals will dedicate all available resources to supporting efforts to educate our members about candidates and issues, turning out voters and otherwise engaging in the effort to Take Back America for working families; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME councils and locals will participate fully in AFL-CIO voter education and mobilization programs, including the swing union voter "sandwich plan," Labor 2004 base union voter mobilization program and Target 5000, a program to elect more union members to public office; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

That AFSCME councils and locals will endeavor to participate in coalitions with progressive groups outside the labor movement that share our common goal of electing pro-working family candidates.

SUBMITTED BY:

International Executive Board