WHEREAS:

            The unprecedented attacks on AFSCME members, our jobs, our retirement security, our rights and our dignity continue, funded by Wall Street, anti-worker corporations and individuals, such as Charles and David Koch, and waged by the politicians they put into office; and

WHEREAS:

            AFSCME is part of the last line of defense that stands between these corporate-backed politicians and the American Dream; and

WHEREAS:

            Our ability to counter this onslaught depends in part on communicating a bold, clear and aggressive message in cities, towns, counties and states across the country; and

WHEREAS:

            The best people to deliver that message are AFSCME members themselves ‑ the men and women who provide the vital services our communities depend on; and

WHEREAS:

            To enable members to be effective messengers, AFSCME initiated a Faces and Voices training program; and

WHEREAS:

            Through that program, AFSCME has trained over 300 members who are now spokespeople in the critical battles we face; and

WHEREAS:

            To support the efforts of affiliates in organizing, political and legislative campaigns, AFSCME has deployed professional communications staff in California, Ohio, Wisconsin and other states across the country; and

WHEREAS:

            AFSCME has also developed a Rapid Response program, to enable us to immediately and forcefully counter lies and amplify truths in the current 24/7/365 news cycle.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

            AFSCME will continue to build and strengthen our ability to fight back by increasing our field communications capacity to provide additional support for our organizing, political and legislative campaigns; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

            The International Union will identify and pursue opportunities to partner with affiliates to innovate the way we communicate as a union; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

            AFSCME will continue our Faces and Voices program as one of the ways we empower members with effective tools, including media training, social networking techniques and public speaking skills, to ensure that our stories are heard; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

            AFSCME will continue our Rapid Response program as a powerful tool in our effort to aggressively get our message out.