Once upon a time, union-led Lunch and Learns were a popular way to connect with employees at their worksites, highlight our legal and representational fights, and demonstrate the power of union membership.
But in this current climate, where the Trump administration has done everything in its power to gut our negotiated contracts and strip workers of their bargaining rights, visiting employees at their worksites is no longer an option in many agencies.
So AFGE District 3 decided to try a new tactic, holding off-site Union Power events where the district can meet with employees from multiple locals or agencies at one event, instead of needing to travel to individual worksites.
“We are trying to reach employees off-site and let folks know that the union is still here fighting for them,” AFGE District 3 National Vice President Philip Glover said. “Some members think they no longer have a union because of the attacks on our CBAs, but that’s simply not true.”
During the events, district staff discuss the current status of our multiple lawsuits against the administration, our lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill, supporting AFGE-endorsed candidates for Congress and other down-ballot races in the midterm elections Nov. 3, and how contributing to AFGE PAC helps our union achieve lasting victories for our members.
The district hosted about 75 members in Philadelphia and another 50 or so in Pittsburgh in August, and additional Union Power events are planned for Sept. 10 in Wilkes-Barre and Sept. 17 in Harrisburg. Members were contacted through Broadstripes.
The two August events generated about $2,200 in one-off donations to AFGE’s Political Action Committee and resulted in about 10 people signing up to make recurrent PAC contributions.
Glover said he’s hopeful the Union Power model will be replicated at other districts.
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