WHEREAS:

            American life could not function without government services and competent, dedicated public employees; and

WHEREAS:

            AFSCME members are involved every day on the front line to deliver vital services — ensuring public health and safety; caring for the vulnerable; staffing our schools and universities; maintaining our infrastructure, our parks and libraries — that help keep American living standards high and American workers competitive; and

WHEREAS:

            The need for high quality public services continues to grow at the same time that available revenues fall increasingly short, and at a time when public services at all levels of government have been under political attack; and

WHEREAS:

            AFSCME members must face continuing pressures from private contractors and their allies in government eager to erode the public service; and

WHEREAS:

            Some public officials are now proposing to "redesign government" to revitalize public services and build real partnerships with front-line workers and their unions; and

WHEREAS:

            Public confidence is crucial to restore legitimacy to the public sector and its work force, yet the view of public employees presented in the mass media is often negative and narrow, presenting distortions rather than real and positive reflections of the contributions made by public employees.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

            That the International Union reaffirm its commitment to present the perspectives of front-line workers and the importance of their work to the general public through a strong presence in the news and mass media; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

            That AFSCME expand its efforts, in concert with councils and locals, to capitalize within their communities on opportunities for good public relations by obtaining local media coverage for the purpose of enhancing support for the role of government in our society; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

            That affiliates be encouraged to develop local newsletters and to take advantage of the AFSCME Local Editors Program (ALEP); and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

            That AFSCME affiliates are urged, through council and local newsletters and other means, to inform and educate members to enable them individually to carry the message about the importance of public services to the citizens in their communities.

SUBMITTED BY:

INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE BOARD