WHEREAS:

            AFSCME’s strategic investment in a vibrant digital infrastructure has raised public awareness of issues crucial to working families and public service workers,  promoted the importance of an energized labor movement and created an online community of engaged AFSCME members; and

WHEREAS:

            AFSCME uses its digital program to strengthen and enhance organizing, legislative and political campaigns through videos, websites, digital advertising, social media, text messaging, online actions and email; and

WHEREAS:

            These efforts have resulted in hundreds of thousands of video views and online actions and created tens of thousands of online activists and one of the largest social media followings in the labor movement; and

WHEREAS:

            Eighty-seven percent of Americans use the internet and 50 percent of the public uses the internet as their main news source (with 71 percent of younger Americans using it as their main news source); and

WHEREAS:

            Approximately 90 percent of AFSCME members use a cellphone and over a third use a smartphone, 85 percent use email, and at least 50 percent use social media; and

WHEREAS:

            Online engagement is a constantly changing and complex field with evolving platforms, technology, tactics and trends; and

WHEREAS:

            Digital communications can be one of the most cost-effective ways to reach and engage members; and

WHEREAS:

            A strong union must be able to communicate effectively with its members, allies and the general public alike.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

            The International Union will continue to invest in new digital technology, infrastructure and staff and use these resources in our political, legislative and organizing campaigns; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

            AFSCME affiliates at the local and council levels will be innovative in their use of digital communications, in order to educate and engage our members and unorganized workers; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

            The International Union will continue to support affiliates in their digital communication efforts; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

            AFSCME will offer members the option to receive their copy of WORKS by email instead of through the mail for more cost-effective and timely delivery of union news.