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News
News impacting public employee union members
convention - day 3
Delegates amend constitution to strengthen, excel union's organizing efforts nationwide
Aug. 10, 2006 - Delegates continued to work on 21st Century proposals Wednesday morning. Several amendments to the constitution and resolutions were adopted. AFSCME activists from across the nation debated and eventually passed a new constitutional amendment, for example, that would give AFSCME International more leverage to establish organizing committees.
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OCSEA delegate Larry Cremeens, ODJFS Assembly and Stark Chapter 7600, prepares to speak on an amendment. MORE PHOTOS |
Under the adopted provision, the International will be able to quickly create organizing committees either where no council or affiliate already has jurisdiction, or where those with jurisdiction have failed to act on their own.
Just before noon, the delegates heard from Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm (D) who derided federal policies that allow – even reward – manufacturing and service companies in the Midwest to send jobs overseas. She said union jobs have been lost by so-called free trade agreements saying, “NAFTA and CAFTA have given American workers the shafta.”
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OCSEA delegates showed their support for striking Resurrection Hospital workers. |
Delegates honored the late David McGinn, a correction officer and AFSCME member, with a moment of silence. McGinn was stabbed 22 times in late July by inmates at the Maryland House of Detention.
In the afternoon, the convention shifted its focus to support for Resurrection Hospital workers who are seeking a contract with the Chicago health care provider.
One left over piece of important news from Tuesday is that OCSEA was honored at the convention for exceeding its goal of 10 percent participation in PEOPLE.
The Work of the Convention |
| AMENDMENTS (adopted) |
RESOLUTIONS (adopted) |
1: Provide Alternative Forms of Membership
2: Authorize the International Union to Establish Organizing Committees
3: Provide the Resources for the 21st Century Programs
4: Authorize Councils to Pay AFL CIO Central Body Per Capita Tax on Behalf of their Affiliated Locals
5: Authorize Councils and Unaffiliated Local Unions to Send Representatives to Meeting of their Affiliated Subordinate Bodies
6: Authorize Councils and Unaffiliated Local Unions to Review the Finances of their Affiliated Subordinate Bodies
7: Authorize the International Union’s PEOPLE Committee to Submit Resolutions Regarding the Implementation of the PEOPLE Program for Consideration by Subordinate Bodies
8: Provide that the Chair of the AFSCME Retiree Council is a Non Voting Representative of the Retiree Council at Meetings of the International Executive Board
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1: Oppose the Bush Health Care Agenda
18: An AFSCME Agenda for Corrections
19: Safe Staffing and Strong Unions in Health Care
28, 62, 79: An RX for the Health Care Crisis
30: Unions Fight to Protect Injured Workers
37: Preserving Public Pension Plans
74: PEOPLE Fundraising Goals for the 2008 Elections
75: AFSCME in the 21st Century
76: Organize for Power
77: Bringing AFSCME’s Structure into the 21st Century
80: PEOPLE Power
81: Building Respect and Support for Public Services and Public Service Workers |
Click on the thumbnail images below to view larger images or browse the photo album now (macromedia flash plug-in required).
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Delegates Louella Jeter and Annie Persons exam towels and other union-made household goods. |
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Eldrid Davis, Angela Wallace and Eddie Parks laugh at some of the union-themed bumper stickers on display outside the convention. |
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OCSEA's booth at the convention continues to raise thousands of dollars each year for the PEOPLE campaigns. |
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Michigan governor Jennifer Granholm thanked convention delegates for fighting to preserve decent paying jobs. |
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AFSCME Corrections members led a moment of silence on Day 3 of the convention in memory of slain Maryland correction officer David McGinn.
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OCSEA delegate Larry Cremeens, ODJFS Assembly and Stark Chapter 7600, prepares to speak on an amendment.
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Convention delegates, alternates and guests poured onto the streets of Chicago to rally in support of Resurrection Hospital workers. |
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At a downtown Chicago rally, union brothers and sisters from across the nation cry, "It's time for respect... for a voice... for dialogue." |
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OCSEA delegates showed their support for striking Resurrection Hospital workers.
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See Related
AFSCME 37th International Convention Website
Photo Gallery (Day 3)- The photograph albums below require Macromedia Flash Media Player to view. Download now. 
Day 3: AFSCME Daily Convention Newsletter
Day 2: AFSCME delegates pass 21st Century Initiative
Day 1: OCSEA leaders represent members at AFSCME convention this week
Website of Governor Jennifer M. Granholm (D - Michigan)
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