On the seventh anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and United Airlines Flight 93, we remember the nearly 3,000 people killed that day. Some 600 union members were lost, including nine AFSCME members: Yvette Anderson, Florence Cohen, Harry Goody, Marian Hrycak, Dorothy Temple, Chet Louie, Rev. Mychal Judge, Ricardo Quinn and Carlos Lillo.

Day 3 of AFSCME’s 38th International Convention: Inspired by Pres. Gerald W. McEntee’s call “to tell our story about the tremendous value of the services we provide in each and every community across this country,” delegates enthusiastically participated yesterday in the first-ever Special Caucuses on Promoting Public Services. Members from across the nation who are involved in similar work came together in 21 unique caucuses to address common concerns and strategies.

Saul Schniderman of the Library of Congress Professional Guild Local 2910 (Federal Employees Council 26) put it this way:

“Our jobs are at risk because of privatization. We need to fight the privateers with a message that what’s at stake is not our union but the public interest.”

Delegates affirmed this point yesterday by adopting Resolution 84, which calls on the union to run various programs to promote public services.

Visit the AFSCME.org website to see video about these Special Caucuses on Promoting Public Services.