WHEREAS:

            There are millions of workers in the public service without representation and we need hundreds of new skilled organizers to reach our potential membership by the year 2000; and

WHEREAS:

            We have learned that the most effective organizing takes place one to one between workers and organizers who can establish trust and a mutual interest in improving working conditions; and

WHEREAS:

            We have not fully tapped into the union's most valuable asset for organizing purposes, our active members, and the members have a wealth of experience and enthusiasm gained through the formation and development of their own local unions; and

WHEREAS:

            We have been very successful using volunteer organizers in campaigns including Ohio State Employees, Indiana State Employees, Harvard University, the University of Minnesota and Michigan Group Homes.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

            That AFSCME recruit, train and deploy an army of volunteer organizers from among our membership; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

            That our locals and councils continue to negotiate for expanded union release time rights to include release time for union organizing and to negotiate for release time for union organizing where no such rights have previously been secured; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

            That we use the AFL-CIO Organizing Institute for additional training for volunteer organizers; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

            That AFSCME maintain a roster of volunteer organizers who have completed basic training, who have participated in organizing campaigns and who are available to work on future organizing campaigns.

SUBMITTED BY:      

Joe Burns, President 
Pauline Amey, Secretary
AFSCME Local 1164, Council 6
Minnesota