WHEREAS:

Two out of three Americans listen to radio during prime time, averaging about three hours of listening per day, and radio is the first morning news source for most Americans; and

WHEREAS:

There are about 1,000 radio talk shows, news and talk radio stations account for about one third of the audience for AM stations, and four out of ten people listen frequently to talk radio; and

WHEREAS:

Talk radio is dominated by local and national programs featuring right-wing hosts like Rush Limbaugh and Gordon Liddy, who peddle an adversarial attitude towards the role of government and the work of public service employees; and

WHEREAS:

These cheerleaders for the radical right have enormous influence on public opinion, helping to encourage a flood of phone calls to legislators which can create the often-wrong impression that the callers speak for a majority of Americans; and

WHEREAS:

These partisan and one-sided programs systematically feed misinformation and prey upon people's fears so as to thwart the adoption of programs and policies to strengthen public services in America; and

WHEREAS:

Talk radio could instead be a great force for democracy -- a town meeting where important issues get aired, and listeners are educated to all points of view.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME members cannot afford to be absent from this public discussion on the airwaves, when it concerns their job security and the revenue needed for quality public services, but instead need to get on their phones and talk back; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME International and its affiliates shall disseminate information and training to the membership concerning the importance of being heard on talk radio and the most effective ways to be heard; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

That AFSCME affiliates explore options to produce and host their own programming or produce programming in cooperation with other AFL-CIO affiliates, as is now being done by the AFL-CIO State Federations in New York, Indiana and Ohio.

SUBMITTED BY:

Harry Pallott, President
Barbara Widner, Secretary
AFSCME Council 13

Edward Keller, Delegate
AFSCME Local 1598, Council 88

Pennsylvania