WHY RECHARGE?
PEF, like all public sector labor unions, is under attack. The scope of many of these attacks is often beyond PEF’s organizational ability to fight alone. We must be able to mobilize our members to assist in our fight back efforts. The organizations we are fighting against are well funded and well connected but we have one thing they do not have, the numbers of committed members, but we need to be able to tap this resource to make an impact.
The reality is that over the past year or so we initiated several efforts and did not achieve the level of participation of our members to have the impact we needed. Although there are a sizeable number of dedicated members who can be counted on to support our efforts, we cannot continue to rely on these few members to carry the load.
At the Annual Delegate Convention I committed to creating a network of Division Mobilization Coordinators. These coordinators will be responsible for getting the word out about our fight back efforts and getting maximum participation. When we have a rally we need thousands not hundreds of PEF members attending. We must recharge!
The first step in this process is for Council Leaders to identify a person(s) that will serve as the Division Mobilization Coordinator. Larger divisions with multiple work locations may need a Mobilization Coordinator for each work location, with one lead Mobilization Coordinator. As Council Leaders you know your membership best and are able to determine who is best suited to performing this critical role of strengthening our response to challenges we will be facing. Please select a Mobilization Coordinator, and complete the Mobilization Coordinator Form that can be found below and return it to the Mobilization Department.
Our Mobilization Department will be calling all Council Leaders within the next three weeks, to discuss divisional needs and what assistance may be needed to achieve increased member involvement. The forms may be completed online or or mailed to RECHARGE, NYSPEF, P.O. Box 12414, Albany, NY 12212-2414.
I understand our divisions may be in different places as far as leadership and involvement. Below you will find a Division Status Form for your review.
We will be asking some of these questions during an initial phone conversation with the Mobilization Staff.
These fight back efforts will be critical to having our voices heard on the important issues facing us. Your efforts in establishing and supporting this initiative will ensure its success.
Mobilization Coordinator Form (also alvailable for download)