Local Voices at the Convention: Commitment & Hope

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)

"It's good to see all the unions here and to know that we're not alone in the fight," said Aona Jefferson, CSO Local 4 President. "The election of Tefere Gebre as Executive Vice President speaks volumes," said George Farenthold, OPEIU 277 (AIL). "To have an immigrant worker in one of the top leadership positions at the AFL-CIO shows how committed we are to immigrant rights and to all of our issues." Elise Bryant (photo), Labor Heritage Foundation, said that "For the first time in a long time, I feel a lot of energy and hope in this convention. The kind of art that's come out of this convention has been just remarkable and here at the LHF we want to keep in touch with those artists who have been participating in all facets of this event." And DC CBTU's Gwend Johnson said that "The traditional role of the constituency groups has been to work with the AFL-CIO, its affiliates and the community and the actions at this convention seem to be expanding this role. How that plays out is not clear yet but what is clear is that we have a lot of work to do inside first and then make sure than when we do work with outside groups that we're effective." - report/photo by Chris Garlock