WHEREAS:

            Working families face unprecedented attacks on the bedrock economic principles that built the middle class. More and more workers and their children are faced with declining wages and benefits and less job security while America’s most wealthy reap the benefits of their labor; and

WHEREAS:

            Building a stronger union through internal and external organizing is the only path towards protecting and creating good jobs while defending the public services that strengthen our communities; and

WHEREAS:

            One on one organizing and worker to worker engagement is the most effective method of communication, education, and mobilization in our workplaces and in our communities; and

WHEREAS:

            An integral part of AFSCME’s organizing victories has been our ability to mobilize Volunteer Member Organizers (VMOs) to take part in our campaigns; and

WHEREAS:

            Through the 50,000 Stronger campaign, we have trained an army of dedicated union activists who are ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

            AFSCME shall leave this convention with a laser-like focus on mobilizing VMOs to join with unorganized workers in new campaigns across the country; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

            The International Union and affiliates will continue to work together to recruit new VMOs and give opportunities for existing VMOs to participate in new organizing campaigns; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

            The VMO program will not only be central to our internal and external organizing efforts, but also to increase member activism that includes Stewards in Action and political involvement in the November elections and beyond.