afscme convention - day 1  
OCSEA leaders represent members at AFSCME convention this week

Aug. 7, 2006 - Dozens of OCSEA leaders and activists have joined with 6,000 other AFSCME delegates in Chicago this week to consider proposals to radically transform the union.

Delegates cheer the introduction of AFSCME President Gerald McEntee and Secretary-Treasurer Bill Lucy. MORE PHOTOS.

As part of AFSCME’s 37th national convention, an array of proposals growing out of a two-year “21st Century Initiative” are being offered for approval by delegates. While details of most of these proposals are scheduled to be presented Tuesday, Aug. 8, union president Gerald McEntee told delegates that the proposals would constitute “a new plan of attack” for AFSCME and allow it to continue to grow and press a progressive agenda.

A video echoing the convention theme – “We Fight, We Win” – was shown this morning. The video gave some broad outlines of the proposals including the hiring of 200 new organizers, the launching of a publicity campaign to raise public awareness of how public workers improve the quality of life and fighting vigorous political campaign to deliver universal and affordable health care.

Regarding health care, McEntee said it was his goal “to remove health care from the bargaining table once and for all.”

The first hour of the convention was hosted by West Wing actor Jimmy Smits. He talked of his own appreciation of the heroic role of public workers in disasters like Hurricane Katrina and he called on delegates to help move AFSCME into the 21st Century. He said a revamped AFSCME would boost all workers.

Delegates also heard from Illinois U.S. senators Dick Durbin and Barack Obama. Durbin talked about how unions led the growth and prosperity of the Midwest. Obama recalled AFSCME’s pivotal role in the civil rights struggles of the 1960s and urged union members to expand their political clout to help the fight for health care and repair the nation’s public schools.

Besides debating the 21st Century proposals over the next few days, delegates will also be asked to participate in the first-ever AFSCME “town meeting,” a free-wheeling forum that the press has been invited to document. Union leaders say the all-day meeting will help identify the most important fights ahead and help delegates begin planning on how to mobilize members behind the outcomes of the convention.

Click on the thumbnail images below to view larger images or browse the photo album now (macormedia flash plug-in required).

	Actor Jimmy Smits (right) cheers on AFSCME Illinois activist (left) describing his local's organizing battles.
	OCSEA delegates pound their tables in sync with an AFSCME drum & dance corps.
	Delegates cheer the introduction of AFSCME President Gerald McEntee and Secretary-Treasurer Bill Lucy.
	OCSEA delegates Laura Morris, Tim Durham and Cindy Bobbitt.
	Board of Directors members Tim Roberts, Eddie Parks, Charlie Williams and Jim Eggers applaud after a video about the work AFSCME members performed during and after Hurricane Katrina.
	OCSEA's convention beacon
	Illinois Senator Barack Obama . . .
	. . . And Sen. Obama's sea of admirers.

See Related

AFSCME 37th International Convention Website

Day 1: AFSCME Daily Convention Newsletter

AFSCME Press Release - July 25, 2006

Photo Gallery - The photograph albums below require Macromedia Flash Media Player to view. Download now.

Associated Press Photo of Actor Jimmy Smits