WHEREAS:

The passage of the 1996 Telecommunications Act resulted in a consolidation of major media outlets and a reduction of diverse points of view; and

WHEREAS:

The remaining media outlets are dominated by conservative, anti-union, white, male spokesmen while marginalizing progressive, pro-labor, anti-racist, anti?sexist and anti-corporate points of view; and

WHEREAS:

In a period of increasing international corporate consolidation, privatization and the dismantling of the welfare state, there is an urgent need to educate and unite union members and to reach out to those not in unions on common issues, both here and internationally.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME International Union call on the AFL-CIO to develop a labor media strategy which would include regular labor programming on community and commercial radio, television, satellite channels, public access TV, internet stream and other forms of electronic communications. In addition, the AFL-CIO should consider purchase of radio and television stations and financially and practically support pro-labor media that already exists by donating money to the recently formed Workers' Independent *[Radio]* News Service in Madison, Wisconsin at http://www.wins.org or femspak@facstaff.wisc.edu or any other such ventures; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME and AFSCME councils develop a labor media strategy with regular labor programming as listed above and donate money and resources to WINS radio in Madison, Wisconsin, or any other such ventures, as have other International unions.

SUBMITTED BY:

Steve Edwards, President and Delegate
Diane Stokes, Vice President and Delegate
Pete Anderson, Secretary
Mike Bernard, Treasurer
Lillie Jones, Executive Board Member and Delegate
Miguel Mora, Steward and Delegate
Mary Bennett, Executive Board Member
AFSCME Local 2858, Council 31
Illinois