AFSCME Int’l Convention Delegates Pledge to Take Back White House this November
Building Power for Strong Contracts is Theme
 Over 5,000 delegates, alternates and guests gathered this past July 28 through August 1 in San Francisco for AFSCME’s 38th International Convention. The theme was “We Make America Happen.” Delegates set the direction of our union by making decisions on approximately 98 resolutions and six amendments to the constitution. As one of two International Vice Presidents’ from California, Alice Goff opened the convention by welcoming everyone to her home state and introduced the Speaker of the California Assembly, Karen Bass. Alice then introduced International Secretary/Treasurer Bill Lucy who called the convention to order.
Thereafter President Gerald McEntee in his keynote address stressed the need for unity, and for union members to continue implementing the components of the Power to Win plan which was designed to elect worker-friendly candidates at various levels of government. He urged members to work hard this election cycle to take back the White House for America’s working families.
There were many notable speakers who addressed the convention including Texas representative Sheila Jackson-Lee bringing everyone to their feet with her message of unity and commitment to elect a president for working families. Other special guests included former Vice President Al Gore, former First Lady Senator Hillary Clinton, William Young, National President of the National Association of Letter Carriers, and the Honorable Martin O’Malley, Governor of Maryland.
Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, Senator Barack Obama addressed the convention live via satellite. He was very pleased and appreciative of the welcome he received from the convention. During his address, Senator Obama said, “Change is a president who walked with you on that picket line, who doesn't choke when he says the word, 'union,'... who doesn't denigrate public service by privatizing jobs every chance he gets."
 Obama went on to talk about a cancer-stricken union activist from Chicago supported by her coworkers through tough time. This speaks to, he noted, his "...fundamental belief that we all have a stake in each other, that I am my brother's keeper.
"We don't have to wait for the history books to tell us the Bush Administration has been disastrous for working families," he continued. He stated he would help the nation rebound with a stimulus package aimed at families struggling with rising food and energy costs, and $10 billion to help states and localities to maintain crucial public health care, housing and social services. He called on AFSCME members, their families and friends for their support in an election that is crucial to all.
At every convention, regardless of the location, there is always a need to support a fellow AFSCME local or another union with an action. This time was no different. Delegates were bussed to the University of California, San Francisco to support striking workers of AFSCME Local 3299, representing University of California employee statewide who have been without a contract. At the same time, over 1500 members participated in a march to a nearby park and rally to denounce Governor Schwarzenegger’s threat to cut the salary of state employees to the minimum wage.
Conventions are always busy and exciting. There were workshops on a variety of issues, work and personal growth, and social events by fellow members from other states. We had two first time attendees from our local, Kathleen Killen who works in the Library Department, and Roshea Maderer who works in the Police Department. At the end of the week, members were tired and ready to head home but with a renewed sense of urgency to work on behalf of members in their locals and working families everywhere.
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