WHEREAS:

It is crucial that AFSCME participate to the fullest extent possible in the 2008 election to protect the jobs, wages, benefits and working conditions of AFSCME members across this nation; and

WHEREAS:

In addition to it being a presidential election year, at least 33 U.S. Senate seats, all 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and numerous state and local offices will be up for election; and

WHEREAS:

Changes in federal campaign laws and many state campaign laws have restricted the use of dues money for political purposes and have also made it increasingly difficult for labor unions to raise the needed voluntary political dollars; and

WHEREAS:

Business and right-wing organizations that 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:

The 21st Century Committee, recognizing the importance of the PEOPLE program, recommended that the union set a goal that 25 percent of all members be MVP contributors ($100 a year), which results in $35 million in annual PEOPLE contributions; and

WHEREAS:

AFSCME PEOPLE currently raises about $13 million an election cycle or $6.5 million a year, so to raise the political resources necessary by 2008 we need to double our fundraising in 2007 and increase it by an additional 15 percent in 2008; and

WHEREAS:

The best way to reach this goal is for all affiliates to make AFSCME PEOPLE contributions a priority, especially through the use of payroll deduction at the MVP level.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME adopt as a 2008 national election cycle plan that includes a commitment that the International Executive Board will set the example by committing, as they have done in the past, to contribute 1% of their salaries as well as 1% of their monthly stipend and to commit to an extra $500 contribution for the 2008 elections; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That the International Union executive and management staff will make a commitment to contribute 1% of their salaries and commit to an extra $500 contribution for the 2008 elections and encourage the professional staff and council staff to commit to contributing 1% of their salaries and to an extra $200 contribution for the 2008 elections; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That the International Union direct a national program that targets all executive board members and stewards of all affiliates at all levels to ensure that 100% of them are contributing at the $100 a year level (MVP) at a minimum; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That all affiliates commit to a PEOPLE organizing "blitz" campaign between now and September 2008 and call on the International Union for assistance with these campaigns if required; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That the International Union conduct PEOPLE "Sandwich" campaigns (phone bank and mail programs) along with other targeted direct mail solicitations in order to increase PEOPLE resources in time for the 2008 elections; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

That affiliates and their staff will make increasing PEOPLE contributions a top priority by including the PEOPLE program goals in all strategic plans and activities.