daily proceedings of the aft national convention Saturday chicago, illinois | july 12, 2008 wants to take that experience into the White House to make that dream available to others." The stakes in the coming election couldn't be higher because the pain Americans have suffered under the current administration could hardly be greater, she reminded delegates. She spoke of the teacher she met on the campaign trail who spends a third of her wages on the daily commute to her job, the home healthcare worker cutting back rounds because of the high cost of gas, and the many Americans who can't make a run to the grocery store or the gas station without gutwrenching anxiety. "These are not just abstractionsthese are reallife experiences" for American families, she said. After two terms of George Bush, "the Republicans should hold a press conference tomorrow, apologize to the country and say they're just not going to run anyone" for president. But the reality is that the GOP is far from finished, and in the 2008 election, their presumptive nominee, Sen. John McCain, "will offer four more years of the same failed policies, Continued on page 8 Clinton rallies AFT to Nov. 4 challenge `Make this election the watershed it deserves to be' Sen. Hillary Clinton showed AFT convention delegates that she came out of the 2008 primaries the same way she went infighting to help build a better America. The Navy Pier convention hall filled with cheers and standing ovations on July 12 as Clinton addressed delegates with passion and conviction, vowing to continue her battle for strong healthcare, excellent schools, equal opportunity and other goals that matter most to working Americans. That fight resumes immediately, she said, with a onceinageneration opportunity to put America back on the right track by electing Sen. Barack Obama the next president of the United States. "I know Sen. Obama. I've campaigned with him and against him. I know his story represents the American dream. And I know he Hillary Clinton shares a light moment wth AFT president Edward J. McElroy and secretarytreasurer Nat LaCour after thanking the union for its support during her campaign. together Organizing successes prompt `dancing in the streets' Led by AFT secretarytreasurer Nat LaCour, delegates from across the country took the convention hall by storm Saturday afternoon, July 12, to celebrate their organizing victories over the past two years. Delegates waved signs ("Colorado wins 22,000+") and danced to the singing of Lynn Marie Smith, an organizer with AFT Michigan and professional singer who led them in a uniontailored version of the Motown anthem "Dancing in the Streets," which included the lines "All we need are unions, strong unions," "We're marching in the streets" and "Everybody grab a sign, and don't you cross a picket line!" LaCour described how nurses stood their ground against the "biggest, baddest" administrators at a hospital in Missouri. He lauded eight years of hard work in New York state that paid off in bringing onboard 270 new K12 locals. He hailed the resilient members from the United Teachers of New Orleans, who beat back meanspirited attacks after Hurricane Katrina and are reinvigorating their union. He also noted the extraordinary challenges members have overcome in states without collective bargaining, such as Florida, Texas and West Virginia. He pointed out the AFT's Wall of Fame filled with pennants, large and smallthe large pennants each signifying a state with membership growth of 5 percent or which brought in more than 500 members since the 2006 convention, and 428 small pennants each representing a new collective bargaining unit. The festivities opened with a video retrospective of recent organizing victories. Highlights included members from Alliance/AFT in Dallas; Health Professionals and Allied Employees in New Jersey; Henry Ford Community College in Dearborn, Mich.; and United Educators of San Francisco, all with compelling stories of their successes in winning new members and activating their locals. LaCour took a moment to acknowledge the help our union has received from other unions, and noted how AFT members pay it forward to their state federations and labor councils. "We're using the power of collective action," LaCour said. "Together, we are greater than one." Delegates rally for healthcare workers the threat of evening thunderstorms turned an outdoor rally on behalf of resurrection health care workers organizing with afscMe into an indoor affair, following the saturday afternoon session. dismal weather didn't dampen the spirit of delegates, however. enthusiastic delegates chanted "yes you can!" to encourage emma escobedo, a hospital housekeeper who was fired by resurrection for her union Emma Escobedo, a hospital housekeeper fired by activity. "resurrection may have Resurrection Health Care, gets support from colleague fired me, but they haven't got the Shirley Brown, left, AFT vice president Randi Weingarten and AFT secretarytreasurer Nat LaCour. best of me," said escobedo, who was overcome with emotion. aft delegates donated more than $7,600 to help escobedo and her family. aft president edward j. Mcelroy told delegates, "every story has two sides, but when it comes to your fight, there are no gray areas. you are right and management is wrong!" aft vice president randi Weingarten, added, "We don't have to choose sides. We stand with resurrection's workers, patients and community until this struggle is over." the rally also included remarks from aft vice presidents Marilyn stewart and ann twomey, afscMe organizing director tracey abman, and resurrection health care worker shirley Brown. Nat LaCour, above, greets activists from Resurrection Health Care after delegates, at top and at right, celebrate the union's organizing successes. 2 Saturday Higher education breakfast honors McElroy Higher education delegates began their division breakfast on Saturday morning, July 12, by honoring outgoing AFT president Edward J. McElroy. Delegates gave him a resounding ovation, and he returned the favor by commending faculty and staff for their outstanding organizing record. "We are fighting like crazy not to lose ground," he said of the labor movement. "If we don't do the kinds of things necessary to organize more people, we all lose." Participants also heard from Randi Weingarten, president of the United Federation of Teachers and AFT vice president, who echoed that admonition. "We have to kick the door open and make sure we take our rightful place in decisionmaking and in being professionals," she said. Another highlight of the breakfast was recognizing locals and leaders who made outstanding contributions to labor and to the AFT in the past two years. The first honoree was AFT vice president William Scheuerman, who stepped down earlier this year as chair of the higher education program and policy council to assume the presidency of the National Labor College. He is former president of the United University Professions at the State University of New York. The Norman G. Swenson Militancy Award went to the Union of Rutgers Administrators, whose members faced a harsh antiunion campaign when they began organizing their local of professional staff in New Jersey several years ago. After winning cardcheck recognition, URA recently ratified its first contract. Higher education PPC chair and AFT vice president Sandra Schroeder commended the URA for its "persistence, solidarity and political activism," in that battle. The Higher Education Staff Award went to organizers at AFT Michigan, who brought in 7,000 new higher education faculty and staff in the past two years. "Our ability to achieve everything we need is based on power, and we get our power through organizing," said AFT Michigan president and AFT vice president David Hecker in thanking staff organizers Jon Curtiss and Lynn Marie Smith, who accepted the award. The final honor, the Lou Stollar Award "Organize, organize, organize," urged Edward J. McElroy, right, as he thanked higher ed delegates for their years of support. Above, Union of Rutgers Administrators president Lucye Millerand, center, surrounded by URA members, accepted the division's Militancy Award. for Advancing the Rights of Contingent Faculty, went to AFT Washington for its many years of legislative activism, culminating with the introduction of Faculty and College Excellence legislation last year. Daley, Durbin greet delegates Public education "is the key to America and my city," Chicago mayor Richard M. Daley told delegates Saturday, July 12, at the morning general session. "The highest priority I have is to improve our public schools," said Daley. The mayor thanked Chicago Teachers Union president and AFT vice president Marilyn Stewart and the CTU for working together to improve schools. The city's Fresh Start Schools project, featured a day earlier at the convention's general session, is a primary example of this collaboration. Daley said he will continue to work with teachers to achieve quality education in Chicago. "Teachers are at the forefront of improving public education," he said. Delegates were also greeted by U.S. Sen. Richard Durbin (DIll.), who noted that since the presidential primary season is over, "we're now on the same side for victory on Nov. 4." Referring to the nation's economic difficulties and the current Daley Durbin administration, he quipped, "Eight years divided by two oil men equals $4 gas." Durbin urged delegates to "join me and join millions and join Barack Obama" to bring the country back together. Educators are asked to help kids realize their dreams, he said, "but you have to have a dream of your own"one that brings America back to together, that brings our troops home and that fosters an America that understands the struggles of working families. On Nov. 4, he said, "make a real victory not just for Barack but for America." Saturday 3 ... and all that Jazz! 4 Saturday Keep up the pressure on Burma activist Min Zin honored at human rights luncheon They are called the "88 generation," and for the past 20 years they have helped lead the fight for democracy in Burma. At the AFT Human Rights Luncheon on Saturday, Burmese activist Min Zin accepted our union's first Presidential International Freedom and Democracy Award on behalf of those Burmese students who launched their struggle for democracy on Aug. 8, 1988. We must continue to "call attention to the atrocities still being committed in Burma" by the military junta, Min Zin said in accepting the award. Min Zin, who was a 14yearold high school student at the time of the 1988 protest, said he was accepting the award on behalf of "all of those who continue to risk their lives for democracy in Burma." AFT president Edward J. McElroy, who introduced Min Zin, noted that, as educators, AFT members are familiar with guiding young people. At key moments in history, however, he said, "those roles have been reversed, and young people have really been the ones reminding us about the need to speak out against injustice." Youth in Burma, McElroy added, "are serving as the conscience of the nation, risking their lives and safety to break the reign of terror their parents have endured and construct a new reality based on human rights and respect for liberty." Teachers in Burma, Min Zin said, are under the thumb of the repressive regime, which forces them to wear military uniforms and sing military songs. "Teachers are punished if they fail to prevent their students from taking part in the protests." Min Zin was expelled Min Zin urged delegates from school after participat to continue to call attention to the ing in the student protests atrocities still being and spent the next nine committed in Burma. years hiding inside his own country. During that period, he continued to work with the Buddhist monks, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and other student leaders to "keep the democracy movement going forward." He eventually fled Burma following the December 1996 student demonstrations there and, after several years in Thailand, came to the United States. Today, he is a student at the University of California, Berkeley. The importance of collective strength and solidarity is something that those in the trade union movement understand well, Min Zin told the packed luncheon. "I am so proud to be here today on behalf of my friends and family who are still in the struggle. I hope that you will all do what you can to link arms with the democratic movement in Burma and lend your strength to our cause." And the winners are ... David Rives AFT Oregon Winner of a Canon PowerShot camera Congratulations to the lucky winners of the AFT Information Technology drawing! Patricia Foley NW Indiana Coop Teachers Union Winner of a Target Gift Card and MP3 player WinnerS Can ClaiM Their PrizeS aT aFT'S inForMaTion TeChnoloGy oFFiCe in FeSTival hall a. Saturday 5 ChicagoShorts SECOND CITY FIRSTS still known as the second city (a moniker that came about to describe the building revival following the great chicago fire of 1871 or, more likely, a reference to chicago's ranking just behind new york as the largest city in the u.s. until los angeles sprawled into that slot in 1984), the Windy city still holds a variety of singular distinctions. here is a random sampler: chicago is home to the tallest building in north america (the 110story sears tower); the world's largest public library, the harold Washington library center, which houses 2 million books; the world's largest cookie and cracker factory, owned by nabisco; the largest polish population outside Warsaw; the only river in the world that flows backwards (engineers reversed the flow in 1900 for sanitation purposes); the world's longest streetWestern ave; and the only postal facility in the world you can drive through (the chicago post office at 433 W. van Buren); and the first Mcdonald's fast food restaurant, which opened in 1955 in suburban des plaines. BEAN THERE, DONE THAT no excuses for missing Millennium park. the 24.5acre awardwinning center for art, music, architecture and landscape design is located within easy walking distance of the convention hotels (the park is bordered by Michigan ave., columbus drive, randolph and Monroe streets). the cloud gate sculpture by British artist anish Kapoor is among the park's main attractions. the 110ton elliptical artwork, inspired by the look of liquid mercury and nicknamed "the Bean" by city residents, is forged of highly polished steel that reflects the city skyline and the clouds above. a 12foothigh arch provides a "gate," to the concave chamber underneath the sculpture. "[the] participant, the viewer, will be able to enter into this very deep chamber that does, in a way, the same thing to one's reflection as the exterior of the piece is doing to the reflection of the city around," said Kapoor. Tax breaks rob public services economic policies reward wealthy at expense of taxpayers Bronx for more than 100 years, is in the Government is squandering a poorest congressional district in America. significant sum of taxpayer dollars, thanks Tyco International receives $2 billion a to elected officials who approve subsidies year in free labor paid for by taxpayers, and giveaways to the nation's wealthiest Johnston said, thanks to police services people and corporations, delegates were responding to calls from told at the AFT Public companies that monitor Employees breakfast on burglar alarms. One of Saturday, July 12. every eight calls to the David Cay Johnston, police in this country is to author of Free Lunch: How respond to false alarms, he the Wealthiest Americans said. Tyco has onequarter Enrich Themselves at of the burglar alarm Government Expense (and business in this country. Stick You with the Bill), "I cannot tell you charged that at all levels of exactly how many hours a government, from city year you are working to pay councils to the U.S. for these gifts," said Congress, money that Johnston, noting that the should be going to public government keeps a record services is diverted to what Johnston of how much its public he calls "corporate socialemployees are paid but "government ism." In essence, he explained, "it is the policy of our government to take from those doesn't keep track of how much money it gives to billionaires." with less to give to those with more." What he could say with certainty, however, Johnston, a Pulitzer Prize winner and is that "if you walk into a big box retail store, it former investigative reporter for the New is significantly likely that the sales taxes you York Times, has been dubbed the "de facto pay never get to the government but are kept chief tax enforcement officer of the United by the store to pay for the cost of acquiring the States" because of his work in uncovering land and building the store." mismanagement of taxpayer monies. He Also, the economic policies described in offered examples of the cause and the effect Free Lunch have contributed to the growing these policies have on people and gap between the nation's rich and poor. "We communities. are most like Russia, China, Venezuela, In Pennsylvania in 2001, the city of Mexico and Brazil in income distribution," Hamburg gave sports store chain Cabela's $32 millionmore than is spent running the Johnston said, referring to CIA World city for 10 yearsto build a store in the town. Factbook data. "They have an exploding number of billionaires, an increasing number Cabela's said its megastore would draw of poorand they have a middle class that is 6 million shoppers a year to the town, an astonishing claim, Johnston noted, since that increasingly in debt and under stress." This problem "will not be solved figure is more than the annual number of overnight," he said. "We have spent 30 years visitors to nearby Hersheypark. Within a digging ourselves into this hole." year of Cabela's opening, local small Johnston urged those attending to read business owner Jim Weaknecht was out of both Free Lunch and his first book, Perfectly business. Legal: The Covert Campaign To Rig Our Tax In New York in 2005, public parkland System To Benefit the Super Richand in the Bronx was seized for the new Cheat Everybody Else, which together Yankee Stadium. The taxpayer subsidy explain how these government policies was initially reported to be worth work. Then "tell your members in your $229 million but is now estimated at newsletter: `Here is why we are having a more than $1 billion. Moreover, the seized parkland, which has been an amenity of the difficult time getting you a pay raise.' " 6 Saturday Delegates back per capita hike additional funds will support aft's solidarity funds Convention delegates on Saturday, July 12, approved a series of constitutional amendments and bylaws, including a per capita increase in each of the next two years. The increase of 65 cents per member per month, effective this September and again in September 2009, will go toward three different funds: 40 cents will go to the AFT general fund, 15 cents to the national Solidarity Fund and 10 cents to state affiliate Solidarity Funds. "We are cognizant of the fact that these are tough times, but this is what has to be done to build a stronger AFT," said James Dougherty, an AFT vice president and member of the constitutional amendments committee. The 40 cents for the general fund "is absolutely necessary if we're going to continue doing things we've been doing and face the challenges in coming years." With the increase, the amount going to the national Solidarity Fund will total $1.50 per member per month. Since 2003, more than $9 million has been disbursed from the fund to states to help defeat efforts such as tax limitations and antiunion initiatives as well as to help pass proposals such as a minimum wage increase in Ohio. Marty Hittelman of the California Federation of Teachers said the Solidarity Fund has been a tremendous help to his union, which has faced a constant barrage of bad ballot initiatives. "We really need to stop the bad ideas in California so they don't spread," he said, noting that 11 initiativesmany of them opposed by his unionwill be on the ballot in California this November. The remaining amendment and bylaw changes dealt primarily with procedural changes relating to nominations, deadlines and committees. One amendment reflected today's changing technology by replacing the requirement that convention resolutions be submitted "in typewritten form, in quadruplicate" with an amendment allowing resolutions to be "mailed, emailed in PDF format or faxed to the president." Action on Resolutions Resolution 13addressing the healthcare Workforce crisisrecruitment and retention of nurses and health professionals, adopted as amended by committee. Resolution 14aft nurse faculty task force recommendation, adopted as recommended by committee. Resolution 15Better education needed on hiv/aids, adopted as amended by committee. Resolution 68endorsing h.r. 676singlepayer universal healthcare, substitute adopted as recommended by committee. Resolution 69extending foster care limits for youth, adopted as recommended by committee. Resolution 73Medicaid reimbursement for special education services, adopted as amended by committee. Resolution 79government and the common good, adopted as recommended by committee. Resolution 80outsourcing design Work on transportation projects threatens public safety, adopted as recommended by committee. Resolution 81prohibit release of emergency 911 voice tapes Without consent, adopted as recommended by committee. Resolution 82improving Medicare, adopted as recommended by committee. Resolution 84promote pension dues checkoff and prepaid retiree Membership as a Means to advance retiree Membership growth, adopted as recommended by committee. Resolution 86strengthening social security, adopted as recommended by committee. Resolution 87a living Wage and access to affordable healthcare for srps, adopted as recommended by committee. Resolution 88fundamental support services in education, adopted as recommended by committee. Resolution 89green schools and colleges, adopted as amended by committee and from the floor. Resolution 93equal rights for Women, adopted as recommended by committee. Resolution 94national entitlement to paid family and parental leave, adopted as recommended by committee. Resolution 96the convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against Women (cedaW), adopted as recommended by committee. AFT supports local in contract fight AFT delegates on July 12 stood in solidarity with teachers in Kansas City, Mo., who are fighting to gain a new contract and to prevent school board negotiators from dismantling four decades of goodfaith bargaining in the school system. Prospects for an agreement have been jeopardized by the school board's decision to terminate the previous collective bargaining agreement and by the school board's chief negotiator, a former WalMart attorney, who has threatened to unilaterally impose a new teacher contract, said Judy Morgan, president of the Kansas City Federation of Teachers and SchoolRelated Personnel. "Join the proud union members standing in strength and solidarity" in Kansas City, Morgan urged. Delegates responded by unanimously approving a special order of business calling on the school board to reinstate the previous contract, to return to a position of goodfaith bargaining, and to refrain from imposing any type of teacher contract outside of the collective bargaining process. Also standing to support the special order of business was Mary Armstrong, president of AFT St. Louis. Similar attacks have been leveled at her members and "seem to be following a roadmap for destroying the two largest teachers unions in Missouri," she warned. Saturday 7 Clinton: `Thank you for sharing the journey' Continued from page 1 from the economy to healthcare to Iraq and beyond." Change can come, but only if Americans work for it, she stressed. In that effort, Clinton described how AFT activists are more than equal to the challenge of building a more progressive America. The New York Democrat spoke warmly of the thousands of AFT members who spent countless hours at phone banks, canvassing neighborhoods and traveling across the country on behalf of Clinton, the AFT's endorsed candidate in the Democratic primaries. "I saw you across America," Clinton told the delegates. "I saw those signs and saw those hats and Tshirtsand it made me feel so good. "Thank you for sharing this remarkable journeyone that I did not want to make without you and one I will never forget. ... You were there because of who you are and what you care about." That type of political activism is an extension of public service exemplified by so many AFT members, she said, describing how this commitment makes a difference in peoples' lives, including her own. Recalling her childhood near Chicago in the 1950s, she spoke fondly of the many "teachers who inspired and instructed" her to aim high in life at a time when the glass ceiling for women was thick and formidable. The opportunities she enjoyed must increase in today's America, Clinton said, and "the only way we can realize the promise is to elect Barack Obama the next president of the United States of America." "If we make the right decision in November, we will be on the right track. Now, let's roll up our sleeves. Let's get to work. Let's do everything we can to make this election the watershed it deserves to be." Clinton was introduced to delegates by AFT president Edward J. McElroy, who called her an "old and dear friend of the AFT" who "gave voice to the concerns of our members and of working people everywhere" in her many years of public service. Perry's Picks today, delegate Perry Buckley, president of the cook county (ill.) college teachers union, gives us his selection of favorite eateries. Greek: greek town has several excellent restaurants on halsted street between jackson and Monroe. two favorites are Greek Islands, 200 south halsted, and Parthenon, 314 south halsted. Italian: downtown is Italian village, which is three restaurants in one, at 71 West Monroe st. in little italy, try Tuscany at 1014 West taylor st. or vernon Park Tap at 1073 West vernon park place. Pizza: for chicagostyle deep dish pizza (the thin crust is great as well; the issue is always open to local debate): Lou Malnati's, 439 north Wells st.; Geno's East, 633 north Wells st.; or Uno Chicago Grill, 29 east ohio st. French: perry's favorite is La Sardine, a true bistro, at 111 north carpenter st. Steak: Chicago Chop House, 60 West ontario st.; Gene & Georgetti's, 500 north franklin st.; Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse, 33 West Kinzie st. Hidden treasures: Bandera Restaurant, 535 north Michigan ave., 2nd floor. it has great views of the lake, inexpensive eats and a fabulous jazz combo 6:30 p.m.9:30 p.m. every night, including sunday. also check out Howl at the Moon, 26 West hubbard st. it features the dueling pianos concept (which originated in new orleans), with two baby grand pianos, piano players who work in shifts with hourly changeoffs, and wellchoreographed opportunities for staff and audience singalongs. chairBruce sMith neW yorK state united teachers retiree council local 9502r REGISTRATION AS OF 5:00 P.M. FRIdAy, JULy 11, 2008 TOTAL dELEGATES...........................3,221 locals represented532 state federations27 councils1 executive council exofficio3 TOTAL ELECTION vOTES ..............794,257 (includes 46,260 sequestered votes) TOTAL ALTERNATES ..............................72 the daily summary is prepared by the aft communications department: Kris Kemmerer, director; Trish Gorman, consulting editor; Laura Baker and Jane Feller, copy editors; Adrienne Coles, Roger Glass, Daniel Gursky, Annette Licitra, Barbara McKenna, Mike Rose and Kathy Walsh, staff writers; Dave Berver and Barbara Tobias, aft online staff; Charles Glendinning, art director; Pam Wolfe, graphic designer, Sharon Francour and Sharon Wright, production coordinators; Shawnitra Hawkins, production assistant. photography by Lee Balgemann, Michael Campbell and Russ Curtis. illustrations by William Coulter. 8 Saturday photo of perry BucKley By BoB BlacKWood CREDENTIALS REPORT #1
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