By CHRIS DUGOVICH

Chris Dugovich
Council 2 President/Executive Director

The AFSCME convention is always an event that keeps people coming back year after year. This year’s version held in Anaheim, California will be attended by more than 4,000 delegates from across the country. Elected by Councils and Local Unions during March, April and May, delegates bring their issues through resolutions and their voices are heard.

As chairperson of the convention’s Legislative Committee during the last three International conventions I can attest not only to the legislative priorities sought by members, but the action taken by AFSCME after their consideration and passage. Whether it be issues dealing with correctional officers or increased federal funding for our State Institutions – ASFCME acts on those issues and in a large percentage succeeds. It’s the real backbone of the Union in which members can and will set the priorities.

Along with the always excellent speech given by President Gerald McEntee on Monday and Secretary-Treasurer Bill Lucy on Tuesday, delegates will hear from the all-but-finalized Democratic nominee John Kerry. The Senator from Massachusetts will certainly lay out his program for reviving the economy, bringing some sanity to the continuing and worsening crisis in Iraq and bringing back a government designed to work for the working people of this country.

A truly significant event will occur on Thursday, when the states of Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana (Northwest Region) elect two International Vice Presidents. Serving as the International Vice President for the past eight years and as one who worked hard to make this happen, it wasn’t easy but it’s now all but certain. It will certainly increase our ability to bring resources back to the Northwest.

Along with these activities there always are many worthwhile workshops and seminars that I encourage the delegates to take advantage of.

It’s a great event and if you’re going, congratulations on your election as a delegate. Be sure to take advantage of all the programs you can!

If you’re not—it’s not too early to plan for June, 2006.

Think Miami!