PEF calls on delegates to shoulder A
By SHERRY HALBROOK
pproximately 800 delegates to PEF’s 34th Annual Convention streamed into Syracuse in mid-September to face head-on the challenge of labor’s history in the 21st Century, and to be infused with hope and purpose for the hard work ahead.
The convention’s theme, “Organized labor, the time is now,” was
emblazoned across the dais in the convention hall, along with the directive to “Build on the past. Challenge the present. Protect the future.” The images of great labor and civil rights leaders from American history, John L. Lewis and Mary Harris, known as Mother Jones, towered over the gathering. The importance of women’s vision, leadership and achievements
throughout labor history and PEF history was the subject of a convention workshop, one of four offered at the event.
Powerful wakeup call The delegates heard fiery rhetoric from the Rev. Wendell Anthony of Detroit, who quoted great leaders of the past as he
urged the delegates to carry their message and values forward.
“You have come too far to turn back now. A job is more than a paycheck. It’s dignity. It’s a father knowing he can provide for his family. We are still committed. We are still for justice. In matters of principle, stand like a rock! That’s what unions must do today,”
Anthony said. “Our Constitution is the over-arching principle. Our policies as a nation should reflect our priorities and values. We’ve fought many battles for them. We are not going back.”
As an example, Anthony said it is not enough to pay for good schools, without changing the world in which the students live. Likewise, people in unions must stand up for and organize
workers without unions. Public-sector workers must stand beside those in the private sector.
urged.
“We must be holistic,” Anthony “When they block the president you
elected, they are blocking you. You’ve got to stand up for everything you’ve got.
You will lose what you have, if you don’t organize and say, ‘Hell no! We won’t go backward!’” Anthony said. Unlike characters in “The Wizard of Oz,” Anthony said, “We don’t have time to wait for people to get some brains. The time is NOW!”
No way, a 401k
From the Onondaga County executive and political candidates, to state
Comptroller Tom DiNapoli and former PEF member Juanita Williams, the state Labor Department regional representative for central New York, from PEF President Susan Kent and Secretary-Treasurer Carlos Garcia, to leaders of PEF’s two international union affiliates, the delegates were
constantly inspired to move forward with unity, courage and determination as they face many challenges before their next
annual convention. DiNapoli, who is
the sole trustee of the state retirement funds,
Kent: PEF wil By SHERRY HALBROOK An urgent call for action was at the
core of PEF President Susan Kent’s State of the Union report to PEF delegates who gathered in Syracuse in mid-October for their 34th Annual Convention. “There is no more relevant theme for this convention than this: ‘Organized labor, the time is now to build on the past, challenge the present and protect the future!” Kent said. “We are all in this union together, and the time is NOW!” Citing widespread anti-union and anti-
government sentiment throughout the nation, Kent said, “I want to bring you a message of hope. We want to re-brand our union” so people will know “PEF is a union that cares about and for the community.”
Kent said she wants to develop an WOMEN MATTER – PEF Pres. Susan Kent calls on the union’s women to make a difference.
effective and creative public relations campaign to convey that message. “We must go into our next round of contract negotiations from a position of strength. We must embrace wall-to-wall
Page 4 — The Communicator November 2012
PEF Information Line: 1-800-553-2445
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