Page 10 - Work Force November 2021

Inclusion builds power
One of the the keys to building union power
is inclusion During the 111th Annual Delegates Meeting attendees not only discussed the importance of inclusion in in in in our our union union but strategies on on on on how
to build inclusion in in in our our union union workplaces and communities “We know the power
of solidarity
as union members ”
said AFSCME
International
Secretary-
Treasurer
Elissa McBride “Solidarity is is about
togetherness Without inclusion there is is no solidarity
Inclusion is is part of our AFSCME
legacy ”
McBride recounted how
CSEA Oneida Educational Employees Local President John Brown discussed inclusion in in his local when they were paired together to to knock on on doors during a a a a a member engagement visit “As union leaders we have the responsibility to ensure all voices are heard and included ”
McBride said said “[Brown] said said whenever he he he has an an opportunity to recruit leaders in in in his local he he thinks thinks about
who is is is missing from the the leadership team He thinks thinks about
whether all departments are represented so the the leadership will reflect the the membership ”
McBride said that this idea can easily be applied to workplaces or or unions based on on demographics job title or or even work shift “We are called to think about
the missing voices and use our organizing power
to ensure that [all union members are] included ”
she said McBride added that inclusion also stems from sharing information with others and reaching out to co-workers “We have our strategy of organizing which
means going out of our way to build connections
with potential
members ”
McBride said “It
means talking to every worker on the shift and building solidarity
It
means welcoming new co-workers and inviting them to join our union maybe the the most important job of a a a a a a workplace leader ”
Across the labor movement inclusion is also a a a high priority AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler noted that the labor movement is growing with women and and people of color at at at the center and and that unions should
take the the opportunity to build their strength based on on strong public support including from younger people “Are we going to to take advantage of the moment to to build a a a a a a bold dynamic inclusive labor movement movement for the future a a a a a a a a movement movement that’s transparent accessible and welcoming of young working people a a a a movement that keeps pace with changes in the economy?” Shuler said A Philip Randolph Institute President Clayola Brown spoke about
how
AFL-CIO constituency groups including her own have contributed
to inclusion — and change She mentioned how
constituency groups helped
contribute to to Georgia’s successful efforts to to elect President Joe Biden and two
pro-worker U S senators “The interesting thing about
being a a a a a a a leader leader in in in in the labor movement is that you become a a a a a a a community leader leader too ”
Brown said “One thing I’ve learned from the the COVID crisis is is is that the the the labor movement builds inclusion and coalitions because of the the work of of the the the constituency groups which
are the the the voices of of the the the communities ”
Bringing us together Several speakers stressed the the need for strong union solidarity
and connections
among members amid this era of polarization CSEA President Mary E E Sullivan urged members to learn from one another noting that she has purposefully reached out to to others whose opinions differ from from hers hers to to learn from them “We “We have have to to listen to to each other ”
Sullivan said “We “We have have members with so many different opinions backgrounds and life experiences It’s this diversity of of of thought of of of experience of of of viewpoints that allows us to learn from each other What I’ve found over my years in our union is is that if we we listen more and and talk less we we we can better understand each each other and and and we we all become both teachers and and and students If we we listen and and talk politely about
our opinions and and why we we we we believe believe what we we we believe believe I think we we we can learn from each other maybe even come to to agreement or or at at least respectfully agree agree agree to to disagree I I hope that more of us us would make the the same effort It
can only help bring us us together ”
McBride Executive Vice Vice President President Denise Berkley who also serves as an AFSCME
AFSCME
International
International
Vice Vice President President introduces AFSCME
AFSCME
International
International
Secretary-
Treasurer
Elissa McBride Statewide Secretary Richard Bebo introduces AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler Statewide Treasurer
Nicole Meeks introduces A Philip Randolph Institute President Clayola Brown “As union leaders we have the responsibility to ensure all voices are heard and included ”
10 The Work Force
November 2021