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Resolutions & Amendments

40th International Convention - Los Angeles, CA (2012)

PLEDGING INCREASED MEMBER ACTIVISM IN 2012 AND BEYOND

Resolution No. 18
40th International Convention
Los Angeles Convention Center
June 18 - 22, 2012
Los Angeles, CA

WHEREAS:

            In 2011 and 2012, facing unprecedented attacks, AFSCME members have united as never before and stood up for public services, workers’ rights and retirement security; and

WHEREAS:

            Through strategic partnerships, the International Union has worked hand in hand with affiliates to increase AFSCME members’ capacity to fight back against these attacks and to bring new members into the AFSCME family; and

WHEREAS:

            Specific actions, policies and programs – such as our Volunteer Member Organizer (VMO) program and Stewards in Action – have proven to increase the capacity of affiliates large and small to take on these challenges and grow at the same time; and

WHEREAS:

            In 2012, we must win critical political and organizing victories to ensure that AFSCME turns the tide on these attacks on public services and workers’ rights.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

            AFSCME affiliates and the International Union will strive to expand the Volunteer Member Organizer (VMO) model to build our internal capacity to organize new members and strengthen the union; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

            AFSCME affiliates and the International Union will make the Stewards in Action program available to AFSCME locals everywhere to give stewards the knowledge and skills to effectively represent, organize and mobilize other workers; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

            AFSCME VMOs and Stewards in Action will be encouraged to engage in the battleground fights we face this year , as they were in Ohio and Wisconsin and other states in 2011; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

            The dedicated cadre of AFSCME activists, who are fighting attacks on workers in state legislatures and city halls across the country, will be turned into the largest ever ground force for the historic elections in November; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

            AFSCME affiliates and the International Union will work to recruit worksite captains at 50 percent of worksites, so these networks can be employed for the 2012 campaigns; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

            AFSCME affiliates and the International Union will commit to increasing member activism in 2012 and beyond by continuing and expanding these best practices.

SUBMITTED BY:    

Paulette Feld, President
Jennifer Merlin, Secretary
AFSCME Council 24
Wisconsin