WHEREAS:
AFSCME members — in the public and private sectors — know that our ability to deliver public services depends on elected officials who defend and support government and who stand with us; and
WHEREAS:
Well-funded anti-worker groups continue to attack workers and their unions both at worksites and through our political system. These attacks are growing in size, frequency and vehemence and aim to weaken the collective power of workers and erode labor protections; and
WHEREAS:
A worker-friendly political climate facilitates our efforts to organize new members into the union, negotiate and bargain collectively on behalf of workers, bring and settle grievances and maintain a safe and healthy workplace; and
WHEREAS:
AFSCME PEOPLE (Public Employees Organized to Promote Legislative Equality) is our union’s means to combine our voluntary political contributions for maximum impact, and as such, PEOPLE is the driving force of our political action program at the federal, state and local levels; and
WHEREAS:
More than just electing labor champions to office, PEOPLE dollars support efforts to improve labor standards, revenue measures that pay members’ salaries and countless issue campaigns across the country that improve AFSCME members’ work lives; and
WHEREAS:
Previous AFSCME conventions have voiced consistent support for the union to set ambitious, measurable goals for PEOPLE recruitment; and
WHEREAS:
Most affiliates have not met their PEOPLE goals.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
AFSCME PEOPLE will explore all options for increasing PEOPLE contributions, including increasing MVP donation amounts of contributors for the first time since 2004, soliciting every member and encouraging their participation and utilizing dual cards and three-way forms, so that our membership recruitment is linked to PEOPLE recruitment, and that those without payroll deduction can contribute via checking account or credit card; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That the International Union, councils, locals and retiree chapters all include information on the union’s PEOPLE program as a regular and integral part of all leadership, staff and membership training and education programs, especially New Employee Outreach (NEO) programs; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That AFSCME recommits to enrolling 10% of the members at each affiliate at the MVP level of the PEOPLE program; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:
That every AFSCME activist and leader understands that becoming a PEOPLE MVP is the most important step each of us can take to advance the political action program that is central to our continued growth as a labor union.
SUBMITTED BY:
Roberta Lynch, Executive Director/President
Loretta Soresie, Secretary and Delegate
AFSCME Council 31
Illinois