More than 2,500 AFSCME members from around the country gathered in Los Angeles in August for our 46th AFSCME International Convention. NAPE delegates elected by union members included Ashley Augustin (DHHS, Nebraska City), Brandon Brown (Revenue, Lincoln), Justin Hubly (Executive Director, Lincoln), Avery Hulse (DHHS, Lincoln), Jay Jensen (NDOT, Omaha), Erika Robles (Revenue, Lincoln), and Sharon Waters (Game & Parks, Lincoln).
Delegates spent five days conducting important union business, including debating six bylaw changes and forty-six resolutions. Delegates adopted a number of resolutions designed to strengthen our union and give workers a strong voice on the job. These included: Growing Our Union with AFSCME Strong; Expanding Collective Bargaining Rights and the Pro-Worker Agenda; Supporting Career Development Strategies in Public Service; and Our Right to Safety On the Job. More information on the adopted resolution is available on the convention blog.
Delegates also elected AFSCME union leadership for the next four year term. President Lee Saunders and Secretary-Treasurer Elissa McBride were re-elected by acclamation. Delegates also elected International Vice Presidents (IVP) by district. NAPE falls in the newly re-drawn Midwestern District comprising Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Wisconsin. More than 10,000 votes were cast for Midwestern District IVP, with our own Justin Hubly coming up approximately 200 votes short of the runoff election. Paul Spink, President of AFSCME Wisconsin Council 32 was elected IVP and met with our NAPE delegates immediately following his election. We look forward to working with Paul as he represents us on the International Executive Board.
Delegates also heard speeches from Nebraska native, and Minnesota Governor, Tim Walz, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, and AFL-CIO President Liz Schuler. Governor Walz particularly energized the delegates with his pro-worker message sharing some of the benefits Minnesota state employees have been able to negotiate during his governorship. Delegates also participated in a rally in support of our union siblings from AFSCME Local 3299, representing workers at the University of California system, as they fight for a fair contract at campuses around the state.
“This was my fourth time serving as a delegate, and I love every minute of it,” said Jay Jensen (NDOT, Omaha). “We accomplished a ton of business, and had the opportunity to strengthen our union.”
Sharon Waters (Game & Parks, Lincoln) said, “As a fellow graduate of Chadron State College, I found Governor Walz’s speech to be inspirational. His success goes to show that Nebraskans can be leaders in a pro-worker agenda.”
