WHEREAS: 

AFSCME PEOPLE (Public Employees Organized to Promote Legislative Equality) is essential in AFSCME’s fight to protect workers’ rights, jobs, wages, benefits and workplace safety by working to elect champions for working families; and 

WHEREAS: 

Businesses and right-wing organizations who oppose labor’s interests will continue to spend millions of dollars against us, and our ability to fight anti-labor interests depends on a well-funded PEOPLE program; and 

WHEREAS: 

These anti-union forces have intensified their efforts to undermine workers and labor organizations through legislative, judicial and electoral means, aiming to weaken the collective power of workers and erode labor protections; and 

WHEREAS: 

The PEOPLE program has been established as a strategic initiative to enhance member engagement through political activism and awareness regarding the importance of working with labor-friendly elected officials; and  

WHEREAS: 

The PEOPLE program is about more than electing labor champions to office. PEOPLE dollars support efforts to improve labor standards, revenue measures that pay members’ salaries and countless issue campaigns that improve AFSCME members’ work lives; and 

WHEREAS: 

Elections create an opportunity to engage members on goals that can have far-reaching implications on their lives; and 

WHEREAS: 

In order to strengthen AFSCME’s power, we must increase the number of members who belong to the PEOPLE program; and 

WHEREAS: 

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted every facet of union life; from new member organizing to soliciting new PEOPLE contributors. Now, more than ever, AFSCME cannot afford to fall behind and must therefore recommit to the tactics we know strengthen our union; and 

WHEREAS: 

In January of 2024, the Political Action Department tested a series of ‘PEOPLE Blitzes’ with select affiliates across the country. These blitzes included data audits of all PEOPLE cards on file, New Employee Outreach (NEO) meetings, worksite visits and member and staff training on how to make the ask. Where affiliates were not on a maintenance of dues (MOD) card, AFSCME and the affiliate worked to create an MOD card. 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: 

That AFSCME affiliates seek to implement PEOPLE blitzes as one tactic to engage members politically and increase PEOPLE participation; and  

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: 

That AFSCME affiliates will include a PEOPLE recruitment element in ongoing New Employee Outreach (NEO) programs; and  

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED: 

That AFSCME recommit to enrolling 10% of each affiliate at the MVP level of the PEOPLE program. 

SUBMITTED BY:
International Executive Board