It’s just about the biggest event on the American labor movement’s calendar. And this year, coming on the eve of the presidential election, it promises not only to be big, but influential, too.

More than 4,000 delegates representing some 1.3 million union members will attend the 34th AFSCME International Convention in Philadelphia from June 26 through 30. Of those, 100 will be from Council 2.

Fun events to accompany 34th International Convention Among the highlights during the June International Convention (see detailed report on this page) will be a Privatization UnFair, to be held June 28 and 29 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The organizers promise that those who attend will have some fun learning how to fight privatization. Among the events: • Do you want to be a millionaire? • Visit the amazing, but true, Gallery of Privatization Horrors • Play Dunk the Privateer • Spin the Wheel of Misfortune. $2,000 prize to be won A delegate to the convention will win a $2,000 prize in a raffle to be drawn during the sessions on June 27, June 28 and June 29. The sellers of the winning tickets also will receive a cash prize. 33,000 union workers The host city for the convention, Philadelphia, also is where thousands of AFSCME members work. Local DC33 represents 13,000 blue-collar and white-collar employees. DC 47 represents 6,000 white-collar employees. The National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees/AFSCME Local 1199C represents more than 11,000 private-sector health care workers in the city. And Council 13 represents about 3,000 state employees in Philadelphia.

The first convention of the new millennium will help to shape opinion in several ways.

• It will set out the agenda for the labor movement for the next two years.

• The convention is likely to receive media attention, particularly if, as planned, President Clinton and Al Gore, the apparent Democratic nominee for the 2000 presidential election, address the delegates.

• The AFSCME members who are represented at the convention will help determine the outcome of presidential, congressional, state and local elections throughout the country this year.

In addition to discussing issues important to the union, delegates will have the opportunity to attend a series of workshops on every subject that affects membership, such as collective bargaining, contracting out, health insurance, organizing and recruitment.

Any member of Council 2 in good standing is eligible to be elected as a delegate to the convention.

The process of electing delegates is taking place now, but in most cases there is still time to participate. Council 2 contributes toward the cost of air travel for all elected delegates.

“It is an extremely worthwhile event to attend,” says Chris Dugovich, Council 2 president and executive director.

“Every one of our members who have attended in the past has come away with a realization of what a big labor movement they are part of.”

Full details of the International Convention are available on the AFSCME web site. Click here to go there.