WHEREAS:

There is an ever growing need to strengthen local unions by increasing participation and mobilizing members for the many and varied activities of the union; and

WHEREAS:

Continuing educational opportunities in the best practices of labor relations, organizing, collective bargaining, and management of the union's financial and human resources are needed in order to equip leaders of AFSCME affiliates with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to effectively do their jobs; and

WHEREAS:

The challenges of allocating and managing the union's resources require increasing sophistication and skill in the best practices of strategic planning, organizational development, and ethical management.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME commits itself to expanding educational opportunities for leadership including increased skill in advocacy, bargaining, organizing, strategic planning, and union management; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That the Department of Education and Leadership Training, in conjunction with the National Labor College of the George Meany Center, the Harvard Trade Union Program, and other college- and university-based labor education programs, develop appropriate training materials to help AFSCME leadership and staff at all levels of the union face the challenges confronting the labor movement; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

That the Department of Education and Leadership Training assist AFSCME affiliates to develop opportunities to identify, recruit, and train leaders and staff in the skills they need to carry out their responsibilities more effectively, through such programs as summer institutes, mentoring programs, and campaign-based training opportunities.

SUBMITTED BY:

Casandra Cox, President
Jeannette Pringle, Secretary and Delegate
AFSCME Council 1707
New York