REPORTS, RESOLUTIONS, CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES MASSACHUSETTS AFL-CIO / THIRTY-SIXTH CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION SEPTEMBER AND 22, 23 24,1993 PARK PLAZA HOTEL BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS so REPORTS Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2012 with funding from Boston Library Consortium IVIember Libraries http://archive.org/details/reportsresolutio3693mass PRESIDENT'S REPORT Manysignificant changesto the political landscape havetaken place since we last met In Convention. In November of 1992, thanks in large part to the contributions of AFL-CIO members across our Nation Bill Clinton was elected President of the United States. President Clinton's election marked the end oftwelveyears of corpo- rate control oftheWhite House. Much remainsto be done in Washington but foroncethe outlook is one of hope instead ofdespairforworking people. In the Commonwealth, the election, particularly the results in State Senate raceswereagreatvictoryfortheMassachusettsAFL-CIOand itsaffiliates. The Democrats nowenjoya31to9vetoproofmarginandtheRepublican reversals are attributableto ourwell organized "Special Friends" program. Onthelegislativefront, theelectionswerefollowed bythelong overdue pay raise for stateworkers. had the privilege of chairing the Coalition of Public I Employee Unions which fought successfully to override the Governor's veto forapproval of 13% stateworker raises. In the spring of 1993 we successfully overrode the Governor's veto of the Lockout Bill. Now workers locked out in labor disputes will be eligible for unemployment benefits. This important legislation was driven bythe lockout of gasworkers employed bythe Boston and Baystate Gas Companies whose memberswereablyrepresented bytheUnitedSteelworkersand IBEWUnions. All of Labor should be proud of our spirited defense of the locked out Steel- workers both in the Legislature and on the picket line. At the publication deadline for this report a number of critical issues are pending in the Legislature. The Governor vetoed a series of pro-worker measures including budget language designed totransferwage enforcement from the Department of Labor and Industriesto theAttorney General's office; increased workers' compensation benefitsforscarring; changes in the unem- ployment insurance statuteto prevent unfairdenial ofbenefits; health benefits for part-time MBTA employees; reorganization oftheWorkers' Compensation AdvisoryCounciland removingmunicipaloverlayaccountsfromtheprovisions of Proposition 2^/2with local approval. All of these measures are important to the Massachusetts AFL-CIO. But clearly, passage ofthe strongest anti-privatization measure possible remains the number one legislative priority ofthe MassachusettsAFL-CIO. We must stop the Governor's union-busting assault on workers which he carries on underthe coverof privatization. In Washington, Labor has advanced several Important measures into law. The Family and Medical Leave Bill and MotorVoter Registration bills are now law. Inaddition,theHatchActgrantinglongoverduepolitical rightsforFederal and Postal workers is headed atthiswriting for passage. Our agenda will be unfinished until we can pass the anti-scab bill into law, reform OSHAand overhaul our health care system. In addition, we must stop thejob-killing treatycalled NAFTA. I was in Mexico recentlyand sawthe squalorthe poorMexican workersare living in and corporateAmerica should beashamed to bedoingwhattheyare doing by selling ourjobstothe lowest bidder. We must make sure Congress gets our message. No NAFTA. Clearly, our legislative program is at a critical juncture both in Washington and on Beacon Hill. We need thefull participation of ouraffiliates ifweareto succeed inthe legislative arena. The Council continued to maintain a strong schedule ofwell attended and well designed educational efforts. The State ofthe Union Conference held In conjunction with the Secretary-Treasurer's Conference at the Ocean Edge Resort in Brewsterwas once again an important strategic event. In January wewereableto begin planningfortheyearaheadtoassure Laborwas united in its legislative and political goals. Our annual Gompers, Murray, Meany Educational Conference held at the Sea Crest in North Falmouth in Maywas once again a success. Congratula- tionsto American Federation ofTeachers National President Al Shankerand Kathy Purcell from AFSCME Local 1114 and United Way Labor Liaison Bob Rodwell whowere ourawards recipientsthisyear. We have tried to be at every picket line and anti-worker demonstration throughout the state and during this past year have testified at legislative hearings on all billsthataffectworking people. Anotherimportant eventforourCounciltook placethisyear. Ourlongtime Legislative DirectorMartyFoleysteppeddownfrom hispost. Hisreplacement is Rich Marlin formerly the Legislative Director for SEIU, Local 509. We wish Marty well in his new endeavors. Rich Marlin Is a capable and energetic replacementfor Martywhowe knowwill doafinejobforthe Council. Next yearis shaping upasa critical yearforOrganized Labor. We must be prepared to defeat GovernorWeld and re-elect Senator Kennedy. If we renew our commitment to solidarity and collective political action at thisConventionwewill haveachievedanimportantfirststeptowardattainment of our goals forthe rest of 1993 and the 1994 election season, one ofwhich is to privatize Bill Weld. Respectfullysubmitted on behalfofthe Executive Officers. In solidarity, JOSEPH C. FAHERTY, President ROBERT J. HAYNES, Secretary-Treasurer JOSEPH M. LYDON, ExecutiveVice President., Public Employees JAMES L FARMER, ExecutiveVice President. - BuildingTrades JOHN F. PHINNEY. ExecutiveVice President. - Industrial Sector SECRETARY-TREASURER'S REPORT ItseemslikealifetimebutonlythreeyearsofGovernorWeld'sfouryearreign ofterror is over. Remember 1994 is ouryearto regain stability, sensitivityand fairness in ourStateGovernment. Thejob ofrunningtheState Federationhas been made more difficult because of the anti-government, anti-worker, anti- union bias of Governor Weld and his band of henchmen, CelluccI, Howell, Robinson and Tocco. We haven'tlaid down ourswords. Astough and asdifficultanadversaryas theGovernor has been, we have beentougherand relentless in our pursuitof justice for workers and the citizens of the Commonwealth. Our significant victories on the pay raise issue for Public Employees and the success of our lock out legislation overthe Governor'svetoes provesthe strength, resiliance and value of the State Federation's grassroots programs. Our success at extending unemployment benefits and the imminent over-ride of the Governor's veto of the anti-privitization bill are accomplishments we can all take great pride. We must remain steadfast in our opposition of the Governor and his administration's dismantling of State Government. 1994's call to arms is the defeatofWeld andthe eradication ofhis policyofremovingtheStatefromthe business of running a government. We support the role of Government in administration economicdevelopment, creation ofjobs, being a responsible , employer, education, providing a reliable infrastructure and caring for those challenged by economic, physical and mental conditions. This is ourgovern- mentandweinsistonfairness,equityanddignityforallMassachusettscitizens. OurabilitytooverridetheGovernor'svetoeswasmadepossiblebyanextraor- dinary COPE program lastyear. The election results in November 1992were a rejection of the Weld/Cellucci agenda. The Republicans lost 6 seats in the State Senate giving the Democrats aveto-proof31-9 margin. Thankyouso muchforyoursupport ofourCOPE Program. Undertheable leadershipofCOPE DirectorRich Rogers ourprogramsand campaignsstand secondtononeinthe country. Yoursupport oftheCOPEcruise inAugustwill allowustocontinuetoresisttheGovernor'sattacksand giveustheresources to elect our friends next year. Speaking of friends, don't forget SenatorTed Kennedyis upfor re-election in 1994. Wemustdoallwecantoinsurethatthe primaryvoicefor Laboroverthe lastthirtyyears is returned tothe Senate. Our new addition to the State Federation staff, Legislative Director Rich Marlin has hitthe ground running. Rich hasdoneagreatjobshepherding our legislation and orchestrating the override of the Governor's vetoes. The relationship between the COPE and Legislative Departments has never been stronger..The rapport between thetwo Rich's is anadded benefittotheState Council. Ourgoal isto have both departmentswork morecloselytogetherto create a common platform for our political and legislative agenda. Welcome aboard, Richard! President Faherty and were appointed to the Corporate Tax Reporting I Commission to attempt to arrive at a consensus of the best mechanism to report Corporate Taxes. The State Federation supports the lawthatwill take effect 1/1/94. However, the Commission by a narrow vote recommended a watered down version. In orderto change the lawthe legislaturewill haveto passtherecommendationthisFall. ThankstoSpeakerFlahertywhosupported our position on the Commission and we are looking forward to working with him to defeat any legislation that would repeal the Corporate Tax Reporting Lawwe now have. As your SecretaryATreasurer have had the honor of representing you on I many boards importanttoworking families. I sit on the Department of Employment and Training Advisory Board with Peter Wright of AFSCME Council 93. This appointment allows us to keep a close eye on the administration plans to undermine workers unemployment benefits. We have been successful moderating their behavior and in many cases resisiting changes. As a Director of Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Massa- chusetts have the pleasure of working with President Devlin of the Mass. I FederationofTeachers. ThisappointmentaffordsPauland metheopportunity to keepabreast ofthe changing health care environmentandto represent our unions and members. As a Directorand Chairman ofthe Administration and Finance Committee of the United Way of Massachusetts Bay have the I pleasureofworkingwithTonyRomano,Secretary/TreasurerofGreaterBoston Central LaborCouncil, GiroCardinalformerPresidentofNorfolkCentral Labor Council and JohnMcBrideofTeamsters Local25. Inaddition,weworkclosely with the United Way of Mass. Bay Labor Representatives Bob Rodwell, Dick Piciutto, Al Hamilton and Joe Quirk. Efforts were recently madeto downsize the ranks ofthe labor representatives. President Fahertyand alongwiththe I Presidents of Boston, Norfolk and North Shore Labor Councils (Jim Farmer, FrankTolandandJeffCrosby) spentmanyhoursnegotiatingrestructuringand reorganizingthe roles ofthe Representativesto keepthem all in place. Atthis point the layoff is on hold and hopefully growth in the campaign will forestall any more layofftalk. The United Way Labor partnership has been a long and valuable one. Please encourageevery union membertogiveas much asthey can to supportthe good works and to support our Labor Representatives. My most importantfunction as spelled out inthe Constitution ofthe Massa- chusetts AFL/CIO is to be thefinancial guardian ofthe Council's fiscal affairs. As has been reiterated manytimes in the past few years we are struggling to stay afloat. Decreases in Public Sector, Building Trades and the Industrial Sector continueto plague our movement. Againwe have not stood idly by. President Fahertyand havetightened our I budget and re-directed ourassetsto our priorityareas. More significantlywe havebeenoutaffiliatingand improvingpercapita numbersofsomelocalswho already belong to the State Federation. The following locals have joined the Massachusetts House of Labor since we last met in Convention or have increased their per capita payments. Welcome to our new members and thank you to those locals who have Improved their per capita position. Don'twaitfor usto call, ifyou can help us by increasing your per capita even only by a little amount, that helps and will be appreciated. The following locals have joined the Massachusetts House of Labor since we last met in Convention or increased their per-capita payments. APWU Local 1, So. Dennis APWU Local 1800 -Walpole APWU Local 3844 - Brockton APWU Local 5045 -Taunton APWU N.E. Region - Waltham AFGE Local 1846 - Hyannis AFGE Local 1164-Quincy (District Council) UFCW Local 791 -W. Bridgewater UFCW Local 328 - Providence, R.L ILA Local 1454-Quincy lUE Local 201 - Lynn lUE Local 259 - Hanson Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers - Northfield NALC212 -Lawrence Journeymen Horseshoers - East Boston TWUA Local 2054 - Quincy IBEW LOCAL 123 - Suffolk Downs, Revere Teamsters Council 10 - Boston Local 1 - Quincy 25 - Charlestown 49 - Dracut 82 - So. Boston 122 -Boston 127 - Nonantum 157 - East Boston 170 -Worcester 259 - So. Boston 379 - Randolph 437 - Merrimac 494 -W. Quincy 504 - Boston 829 - Boston A little bitfrom everybody helps. Bring this message backtoyourlocal, ask how many members your local is paying on and ask yourself honestly Is $.45 per member, per month ($.50 - 1/1/94) a lot to pay to support ourfuture here in the Commonwealth. would like to thank the staff ofthe Massachusetts AFL7CI0. Another year I of working in cramped and crowded environment has not dampened their spirit, vitality or production. Many thanks to Dawn, Maureen, Margaret, Lu- anne, llene and Ann for your splended work. Alloftheseactivitiesand morearewhatfill mydaysandweeks. I havegained much insight and enjoymentwhilevisiting with you on your picket lines, rallies and speakingatyourunion and CLC meetings. Activism iswhatkeeps usalive and well. Keep up the good work. Respectfully submitted, ROBERT J. HAYNES, Secretary-Treasurer 1993 LEGISUKTIVE REPORT Sincewelast metin convention,thelegislative Departmenthasbeenactive and intransition. Atourlast convention, Marty Foleyannounced hewould be steppingdown as Legislative Director in April of 1993. It Isa great privilegefor meto be here beforeyou atthisyear's convention asthe newLegislative Director. hopeto I havea long and successful careerrepresentingthe State Council intheyears ahead. We have had several significantvictories since ourlast convention, PUBLIC EMPLOYEES PAY RAISE - Overthe objection ofthe Governorwe wereabletosecurealong overdueand well deserved payraiseforourpublic sectormembers.TheleadershipandhardworkofAFSCMECouncil93,Service Employees International Union Locals 509 and 285, and OPEIU Local 6were instrumental in ensuring adequatevotesto overridethe Governor'sveto. UNEMPLOYMENTBENEFITSFOR LOCKEDOUTWORKERS.Thelockouts ofBostonand BayStateGasCompaniesshowed aflawinourunemployment Insurancelawthat needed legislativeaction. Herewe hadworkerswilling and abletoworkthatweredeniedthatopportunitybytheiremployer.Yet,theyhad toappealtotheWeldAdministrationtoreceiveunemploymentbenefits.Thanks tothehardworkofUSWALocal 12003 (BostonGas), USWALocal 12026 (Bay StateGas) and IBEWUnionsweagainoverrodetheGovernor'svetotoensure fairnessforworkers onthe Commonwealth. PRIVATIZATION-Whilenotcompleted,wehaveabillthroughbothbranches of the legislature and In conference committee. This legislation will be the priorityofthiscouncilforthebalanceoftheyear.Weagainwillneedtooverride an expected Gubernatorial veto onthis legislation. Theworkthatwe havebeenabletoaccomplishthisyearIsdueinlargepart tothe political work this council did in last year's election. We must begin to gearupforanotherelection cycleagain. As you have read continuously in this report, constantly override the Governor's veto on any Issue that positively effects working people. THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY OF THIS COUNCIL OVER THE NEXT FOURTEEN MONTHS IS RID OURSELVES OF BILLWELD! In unity, RICH MARLIN Legislative Director