WHEREAS:
In 2015, AFSCME launched the AFSCME Strong campaign, building on the progress made during the 50,000 Stronger campaign in order to continue to increase union membership and identify and engage leaders and activists at the local level; and
WHEREAS:
The AFSCME Strong campaign established strategic priorities that included:
- Internal organizing to recruit members and identify activists;
- External organizing to bring the benefits of union membership to workers through accretions, affiliations and organizing;
- Developing a worker-based economic agenda and engaging in coalitions with others to promote shared prosperity and influence the political debate;
- A branding initiative to educate the public about the vital work performed by AFSCME members and create a greater sense of pride in the role we play in society;
- Examining our structure to ensure that we are efficiently and effectively meeting our goals, emphasizing accountability, data quality, and the alignment of resources with our priorities; and
WHEREAS:
Leaders across the country have embraced the AFSCME Strong initiative and as a result, our union has grown stronger since the Supreme Court’s Janus decision with 100,000 new members joining AFSCME over the last two years; and
WHEREAS:
Through our political power, we have been able to expand collective bargaining rights in states like Virginia, Colorado, Maryland and Texas.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
That we celebrate the success of the AFSCME Strong campaign over the last 11 years, made possible by the thousands of members, activists and leaders who bought into the program and made our union bigger and stronger thanks to their efforts; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That affiliates where workers have collective bargaining rights should strive to reach 90% membership density and 10% enrollment in PEOPLE at the MVP level to build on our success to organize for better jobs and a stronger union; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That affiliates throughout our union will commit to establishing robust Volunteer Member Organizer, activist recruitment and New Employee Orientation programs; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That affiliates will use contract campaigns to achieve stronger contracts, increase membership and build power to achieve our bargaining goals; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That International Union and affiliate leaders will focus on issues that unite members, build our power and drive support for our union in our communications with members; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:
That our union reaffirms its commitment to aggressively pursue the AFSCME Strong priorities.
SUBMITTED BY:
International Executive Board