WHEREAS:
Over the years, AFSCME has waged and won historic fights for social and economic justice for our members and all workers; and

WHEREAS:
The fights we face today are different. They are harder to win. And we can’t win if we continue to do things the way we always have. The structures, programs and strategies that served us so well in the past are not sufficient to fight the big corporations and anti-worker politicians that want to privatize our jobs, strip us of our rights and dismantle the public sector; and

WHEREAS:
We have to act now. We have to change our union at all levels.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
AFSCME will systematically examine our operation at the national level and in every state to determine our capacity to respond to our environment and to achieve the goals we have set for ourselves in representation, organizing and electoral politics, legislative advocacy and political fundraising. This examination should by conducted by April 2007; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
The very basis of trade unionism is unity. As a union, we must speak with one voice and act as one family. Where AFSCME affiliates alone do not have the capacity to win the fights we face, the leaders of those affiliates should endorse and participate in a discussion of unification, among affiliates within a state or across state lines. Affiliate jurisdictions will be restructured, if needed, to better utilize resources for organizing, and conflicting affiliate political endorsements will be addressed with the long-term goal of a unified political structure in each state; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
The International Union and each council will develop annual strategic plans that articulate goals, timetables and methods for ensuring accountability. Plans will be used to allocate resources within the International Union and as the basis for decisions regarding International Union financial and technical assistance to councils; and
 
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:
AFSCME will engage in a comprehensive effort with affiliates to enhance and sharpen our message and raise our voice as this nation’s most formidable fighter for public services and the workers who provide them. We will use new and traditional media and methods to make sure everyone knows who we are and what we stand for.
 
 
SUBMITTED BY:  INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE BOARD