My Experience in Boston

As a first time delegate, I attended the “We are the Next Wave: How to Start an AFSCME Next Wave Program” and “Keep the Wave Rolling” workshops for 35 and younger members. The workshops helped to provide a foundation on how to engage younger members in the union. “Keep the Wave Rolling” was interesting because they had a brief role-play in the beginning with one person representing the Next Wave and the other person representing the “Seasoned” generation. To hear how generations have come from watching cartoons only on Saturdays in the morning, to viewing them daily on the Disney channel, from going to the library to do research in the past to now searching the web, from buying a stamp costing 10 cents to 44 cents now was eye- opening, and showed that there needs to be different avenues to reach and engage AFSCME members to unite and fight and lead. Making sure our union has the knowledge, organizing skills, and bodies to fight and lead in the future is extremely important. Our Local has many persons that have this history and knowledge about the union and how to be good stewards. We can not let their knowledge and experience leave with them when they decide to retire. As a result, the Next Wavers are planning a social event to personally update Next Wavers on the convention details, and brainstorm how we can reach out to others to become more active in the union. The other workshops appeared to be limited in classroom instruction because most of the conference material was provided on a flash drive. Therefore, discussions seemed limited to me as if they just wanted us to view the material on our own time.  This did not help in getting hands-on knowledge or good discussions going about the conference material ion order to bring ideas back to your local union. It is one thing to be in the 21^st century with advance technology of flash drives, My Space, Twitter, etc., but a good ole “Town Hall” meeting can also suffice to discuss pertinent issues facing laborers today.  

My experience at the 39^th International Convention left something to be desired. I was a first-time delegate and was not prepared for the week-long agenda of political bullying by President McEntee against Danny Donohue supporters, as he overtly supported his candidate for International Secretary Treasurer, Lee Saunders.  The problem for me was the disrespectful responses towards Danny Donohue supporters on the convention floor.  McEntee wore a Lee Saunders T-Shirt while conducting union business as President, and smirked off requests to change his attire. He let Lee’s supporters talk past the time limit (including himself) during the election process, but cut Donohue supporters off prior to or at their allotted time.  I have to say, I was proud how Donohue supporters reacted with dignity and strength with one unified voice, “We Support Danny Donohue” and they called McEntee on the carpet for his rude behavior. Since this is my first International Convention, and I have been to a Next Wave Conference in Chicago where McEntee has spoken, my fellow AFSCME members had to wonder if this was an onset of Alzheimer’s or poor public relations.  It just surprised me that members voiced how much they loved Bill Lucy and the excellent work he did as the International Secretary-Treasurer, but fought against his choice of Danny Donohue to replace him. In the end, Lee Saunders was elected by the close margin of 4,000+ votes.  

HIGHLIGHTS  

v I participated in the Bread & Roses Tour on Monday, June 28^th. This was a celebration of Lawrence, MA labor history. In 1912, Lawrence became the focus of international attention as the scene of one of the landmark events in American labor history.  When a state law reduced the work week from 56 to 54 hours, the mills cut the workers’ pay.  Averaging only $8.76 a week, most of Lawrence’s 30,000 textile workers walked off the job, and stayed out for nine weeks in a harsh winter. The strike was remarkable for the cooperation among immigrant workers, for the role of women, and for the strikers’ practice of expressing themselves in song.  Some women strikers reportedly carried banners proclaiming “We want bread, and roses, too”, symbolizing their fight for both subsistence and dignity.  Thus the name, the “Bread and Roses Strike”.

v I enjoyed the AFSCME Convention Dinner that featured fabulous seafood entrees, scrumptious desserts, free beverage and dancing with a really good live band. I also met some fun union members from Chicago who were willing to also show me a good time.

v Local 34’s dinner at the Summer Shack, which was yummy.

v The Tribute to Bill Lucy was amazing - and not because Jerry McEntee was so gracious in letting us give a proper tribute (yes, I am being sarcastic) - but because I was able to meet Mr. Lucy and tell him how appreciative I am for his 38+ years of service to AFCSME. He is also inspirational with his work with the Black Trade Workers Union, Civil Rights Involvement, and always keeping AFSCME members first in his decisions.  

I look forward to more International Conventions and seeing how AFSCME moves forward with our new International Secretary-Treasurer. Thank you for electing me to attend this conference because I have motivation to keep the Next Wave Rolling!  

Sabrina Denson, Member-At-Large