AFT Public Employees Professional Issues Conference
Focus on the Future: Rebuilding our communities with a strong public service
Public employee members and leaders from across the country will gather in Baltimore to discuss the important union issues of the day including the use of artificial intelligence in the workplace and short staffing. Workshops on core union skills will be offered as well!
The AFT Healthcare conference will also be held in this hotel at the same time offering publicly employed healthcare members a chance to attend the healthcare sessions offered!
ASL interpretation will be provided!
Save the Dates!
AFT Public Employees 2023 Professional Issues Conference
Nov. 16–18, 2023 | Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor
Register by Oct. 30 to secure housing: cvent.me/AkKlQR
Agenda
Thursday, November 16, 2023
12:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Registration
Room: Key South Foyer
1:00 – 5:00 pm
Opioids: Prevention & Response
Room: Latrobe
Keith Wrightson, AFT Health and Safety
$30 registration fee to cover materials, 30 people maximum
Every day, 180 Americans die from an opioid overdose. Workers in high-risk occupations or who work in hazardous environments face significant risk of injury, which may lead to opioid or other substance use, overdose, or death. Workers involved in emergency response, law enforcement, healthcare and environmental services also face the risk of occupational exposure to opioids. Library staff, lifeguards and other positions that interact daily with the public have found themselves addressing opioid overdoses on the job. These at-risk workers and other populations often lack the necessary resources and education to administer aid and protect themselves. This course is intended for workers who may be impacted by the opioid crisis. The goal of the course is to provide a worker-awareness training program that identifies workplace risk factors and solutions for opioid use, misuse, and addiction. Additionally, this course will teach you how to recognize the signs of an opioid overdose and administer the opioid overdose reversal drug naloxone (Narcan).
Friday, November 17, 2023
8:00 am – 9:00 am
Registration
Room: Key South Foyer
9:00 – 10:30 am
Welcome – Opening Session
Room: Key Ballroom 7/9/10
Speakers: Jill Cohenour, Chair, AFT Public Employees Program and Policy Council and President, Federation of Public Health and Human Services, Montana; Jerry Smith, Maryland Professional Employees Council; Antoinette Ryan Johnson, City Union of Baltimore; Kenya Cambell, AFT Maryland; Jenn Porcari, Director, AFT Public Employees
Interview
Randi Weingarten, President, AFT
Interviewer: Jill Cohenour
10:45 – 12:00
Workshop Session 1
6 workshops in 3 Strands:
Workplace Safety: Unsafe Worksites in Baltimore
Room: Calloway AB
Presenters: Antoinette Ryan Johnson, president, City Union of Baltimore; Audra Lucas, AFT staff
Moderator: Bill Garrity, President, University Health Professionals
In 2019, City Union of Baltimore member Trina Cunningham went to work and never returned home. Despite this tragic and preventable loss, the city of Baltimore continues to underinvest in safe work sites for its workers. CUB members, in conjunction with the AFT and AFT-Maryland, have been working to document and correct unsafe work sites. From helping members to earn OSHA-10 certifications to bargaining and publicity campaigns, learn about how CUB and the AFT are working to ensure safety for all workers.
Defined Benefit Pension Plans: A Better Bang for the Buck
Room: Ruth
Presenters: Jeff Kasper, business manager, Alaska Public Employees Association; Gary Feist, vice president, North Dakota Public Employees; Dan Doonan, executive director, National Institute on Retirement Security; Kendal Killian, executive director, National Public Pension Coalition
Moderator: Rachel Peterson, Rhode Island Department of Education
Defined-benefit pensions have long been a cornerstone of benefits packages offered to recruit and retain top talent in the public sector. In recent decades, DB pensions have been chronically underfunded, leading to unfunded liabilities that must be paid out, even during times of deep austerity. Some conservative governments have sought to replace DB pensions with other retirement plans, like defined-contribution pensions and 401(k) plans. Despite claims that DC plans and 401(k) plans save money, evidence indicates that DB pension plans are more cost effective and have positive ripple effects throughout the economy. Learn from researchers at the National Institute on Retirement Security and public employees in states that are exploring different public sector retirement plans.
Is AI going to take my job? What’s going on with AI and why should public employees care?
Room: Latrobe
Presenters: Amy Hickey, AFT staff; Jill Cohenour, president, Federation of Public Health and Human Services, Montana
Moderator: Jerry Smith, president, Maryland Professional Employees Council
In November 2022, ChatGPT took the world by storm. AI has been in development for decades, but in recent years, generative AI has advanced at an alarming rate. Lawmakers, employers and other decision-makers struggle to keep pace with ever evolving concerns around the impacts of new technology that even the developers don’t fully understand. This workshop will seek to explain why public employees should pay attention to ongoing AI developments and how they may impact public services.
New Isn’t Always Better: The Impacts of Unregulated Artificial Intelligence on Public Services and How to Regulate New Technology
Room: Johnson A
Presenters: Randi DiAntonio, vice president, New York State Public Employees Federation; Wayne Spence, president, New York State Public Employees Federation
Moderator: Skip Miller, president, Colorado WINS
The concept of using technology to predict and prevent crime has been in the public consciousness for decades, famously depicted in Philip K. Dick’s dystopian novella Minority Report. In a true story of life imitating art, New York state has adopted the COMPAS program to utilize AI to predict recidivism in adult parolees. This workshop explores how over-reliance on new technology can have harmful effects on our democracy and proposes solutions for regulating digital technology. Representatives from the New York State Public Employees Federation will discuss their bargaining and legislative approaches to overreaching digital technology.
Recognizing, Controlling and Responding to Union Attacks
Room: Johnson B
Presenters: Dan Carpenter, director of organizing, New York State Public Employees Federation; Donald Cohen, executive director, In the Public Interest
Moderator: Tara Shiman, Worthington Library
For as long as workers have been fighting for their rights, bosses have been pushing back by employing union-busting firms to spread disinformation and fear to stymie union advances. In the public sector, anti-union campaigns tend to be even more insidious, as private interests actively work to dismantle our critical public services in a bid for privatization and profit. Learn more about recognizing boss tactics and how to combat anti-union campaigns.
Mini-Blitz Basics: How to Organize and Activate Your Local
Room: Peale
Presenters: Deneen Taylor, field service director, Illinois Federation of Teachers and Jakob Miles, organizer, Montana Federation of Public Employees
Moderator: Sarah LaFrenz, president, Kansas Organization of State Employees
Tired of seeing the same old faces at every union meeting? Not sure how to engage new hires in a post-Janus landscape? You might need to re-energize your organizing efforts. Learn from AFT local staff about mini-blitzes they have designed and executed to effectively organize their membership. This workshop will cover lessons learned, what it takes to design and execute a blitz and how to hold onto organizing gains after all the organizers go home.
12:15 – 1:30 pm
Plenary Lunch with Speaker
Location: Key Ballroom 7/9/10
1:45 – 3:00 pm
Workshop Session 2
6 workshops in 3 Strands:
When Union Rights are Under Attack
Room: Calloway AB
Presenters: Dan Carpenter, director of organizing, New York State Public Employees Federation; Donald Cohen, executive director, In the Public Interest
Moderator: Rachel Peterson, Rhode Island Department of Education Union
For as long as workers have been fighting for their rights, bosses have been pushing back by employing union-busting firms to spread disinformation and fear to stymie union advances. In the public sector, anti-union campaigns tend to be even more insidious, as private interests actively work to dismantle our critical public services in a bid for privatization and profit. Learn more about recognizing boss tactics and how to combat anti-union campaigns.
Defined benefit pension plans: A Better Bang for the Buck
Room: Ruth
Presenters: Jeff Kasper, business manager, Alaska Public Employees Association; Gary Feist, vice president, North Dakota Public Employees; Dan Doonan, executive director, National Institute on Retirement Security; Kendal Killian, executive director, National Public Pension Coalition
Moderator: Tara Shiman, Worthington Public Library Union
Defined-benefit pensions have long been a cornerstone of benefits packages offered to recruit and retain top talent in the public sector. In recent decades, DB pensions have been chronically underfunded, leading to unfunded liabilities that must be paid out, even during times of deep austerity. Some conservative governments have sought to replace DB pensions with other retirement plans, like defined-contribution pensions and 401(k) plans. Despite claims that DC plans and 401(k) plans save money, evidence indicates that DB pension plans are more cost effective and have positive ripple effects throughout the economy. Learn from researchers at the National Institute on Retirement Security and public employees in states that are exploring different public sector retirement plans.
New Isn’t Always Better: The Impacts of Unregulated Artificial Intelligence on Public Services and How to Regulate New Technology
Room: Latrobe
Presenters: Randi DiAntonio, vice president, New York State Public Employees Federation; Wayne Spence, president, New York State Public Employees Federation
Moderator: Skip Miller, president, Colorado WINS
The concept of using technology to predict and prevent crime has been in the public consciousness for decades, famously depicted in Philip K. Dick’s dystopian novella Minority Report. In a true story of life imitating art, New York state has adopted the COMPAS program to utilize AI to predict recidivism in adult parolees. This workshop explores how over-reliance on new technology can have harmful effects on our democracy and proposes solutions for regulating digital technology. Representatives from the New York State Public Employees Federation will discuss their bargaining and legislative approaches to overreaching digital technology.
Bargaining for the Common Good: Supporting Our Communities
Room: Johnson A
Presenter: Kyle Arnone, AFT Collective Bargaining Center staff, Hilary Glasgow, executive director, Colorado-WINS
Moderator: Sue Parton, president, Federation of Indian Service Employees
Wages, hours and working conditions are the bread and butter of union negotiations. But what about expanding the scope of negotiations to bring community concerns to the forefront? Learn about how unions can mobilize members and leverage power by doing this. We will discuss successful campaigns to bargain for the public good and how this helps to lift all boats.
Student Debt Clinic
Room: Johnson B
Presenter: Chris Goff, associate director, AFT Higher Education
Moderator: Tracey Breeden, Massachusetts Library Staff Association
After three and a half years, payments on federal student loans have resumed, but thanks to the AFT and our partners, borrowers have more tools to access lower monthly payments and loan forgiveness. Join us to learn about how you can take advantage of income-driven repayment plans to manage your monthly payments and set yourself up to receive Public Service Loan Forgiveness, which is available to anyone who works in the public sector!
Mini-Blitz Basics: How to Organize and Activate Your Local
Room: Peale
Presenter: Deneen Taylor, field service director, Illinois Federation of Teachers; Jakob Miles, Montana Federation of Public Employees
Moderator: Matt Emigholz, president Illinois Federation of Public Employees and Antoinette Ryan-Johnson, president, City Union of Baltimore
Tired of seeing the same old faces at every union meeting? Not sure how to engage new hires in a post-Janus landscape? You might need to re-energize your organizing efforts. Learn from AFT local staff about mini-blitzes they have designed and executed to effectively organize their membership. This workshop will cover lessons learned, what it takes to design and execute a blitz and how to hold onto organizing gains after all the organizers go home.
3:15 – 4:30 pm
Plenary: Focus on the Future: Full Staffing in the Public Sector
Room: Key Ballroom 7/9/10
Jenn Porcari, director, AFT Public Employees; Gary Feist, vice president, North Dakota Public Employees and co-chair of the AFT Public Employees Short Staffing Task Force
The public sector staffing levels are at historically low levels, affecting our members, our work and our democracy. Over the past year, the AFT Public Employees Short Staffing Task Force has studied how our affiliates can be a part of the solution and will soon release a report that outlines 10 recommendations to get the public sector back up to full staffing.
5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Joint Reception with AFT Nurses and Health Professionals
Holiday Ballroom 4-6
Saturday, November 18, 2023
7:30 am - 3:00 pm
Registration
Room: Key South Foyer
7:45 – 8:45 am
Buffet breakfast
Key Ballroom 7/9/10
9:00 -10:15 am
Plenary: Focus on the Future: Artificial Intelligence and the Public Service
Wayne Spence, president, New York State Public Employees Federation; Amanda Ballantyne, director, AFL-CIO Technology Institute; James Maroney, state senator, Connecticut
Public work is changing rapidly with more digitized work structures. What hasn’t changed is the limited role workers have in discussions about the future of work, including algorithms, increased use of apps and data security. To protect our work, our data and our democracy, public employee unions must be prepared to negotiate and advocate for legislative protections.
10:15 am – 10:30 am
Break
10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Workshop Session 3
6 workshops in 3 Strands:
Recruitment and Retention in the Public Sector: Successful Strategies for Building a Strong Workforce
Room: Calloway AB
Presenters: Shawn Brown, vice president, University Health Professionals, Danielle Bridger, regional coordinator, New York State Public Employees Federation, and Elena Temple, AFT Staff government affairs.
Moderator: Matt Emigholz, president, Illinois Federation of Public Employees
Staffing in the public sector has reached a critical level in many localities around the country. From offering signing bonuses to housing support, local governments are throwing a lot of strategies at the wall to see what will work to fill hard-to-fill positions. Members of the AFT Public Employees Short Staffing Task Force will give examples of successful bargaining strategies and collaboration with management that are making a difference in hiring and retention. Join the conversation on how to make public jobs more attractive to potential applicants.
Presenting Task Force Report: Deep Dive into Recommendations
Room: Johnson A
Presenters: Jenn Porcari, director, AFT Public Employees; Michelle Wheat, Montana Federation of Public Employees
Moderator: John DiSette, president, A&R
Employment levels may be rebounding in the private sector, but many of our nation’s most important public services are at risk due to a staffing crisis across the public sector. After a year of research and discussion, the AFT Public Employees Short Staffing Task Force is about to release a report detailing the staffing crisis in government and how this impacts democracy. This workshop will focus on the 10 recommendations made by the task force to improve recruitment and retention. If you are dealing with short staffing in your workplace and union, this workshop will provide an opportunity for networking around solutions!
Professional Skill-Building: Making AI Work for Your Union/Profession
Room: Ruth
Presenters: Rob Weil, AFT Educational Issues staff
Moderator: Ryan Clark, president, New York Lifeguard Corps
By now you’ve heard of Bard and ChatGPT, but what other AI is out on the market right now, and how is it being used? This workshop will explore currently available AI tools and how to utilize them to build your professional skills and strengthen your union. Come share what apps you are using at your work site as we build an arsenal of information to share across the AFT. Learn how to identify AI-generated content and how to use AI as a starting point to strengthen your work products.
Is Artificial Intelligence Going to Take My Job? What’s Going on with AI, and Why Should Public Employees Care?
Room: Latrobe
Presenters: Amy Hickey, AFT Public Employees staff; Jill Cohenour, president, Federation of Public Health and Human Services, Montana
Moderator: Skip Miller, president, Colorado WINS
In November 2022, ChatGPT took the world by storm. AI has been in development for decades, but in recent years, generative AI has advanced at an alarming rate. Lawmakers, employers and other decision-makers struggle to keep pace with ever evolving concerns around the impacts of new technology that even the developers don’t fully understand. This workshop will seek to explain why public employees should pay attention to ongoing AI developments and how they may impact public services.
Mini-Blitz Basics: How to Organize and Activate Your Local
Room: Peale
Presenter: Deneen Taylor, field service director, Illinois Federation of Teachers and Jakob Miles, Montana Federation of Public Employees
Moderator: Bill Garrity, president, University Health Professionals and Sarah LaFrenz, president, Kansas Organization of State Employees
Tired of seeing the same old faces at every union meeting? Not sure how to engage new hires in a post-Janus landscape? You might need to re-energize your organizing efforts. Learn from AFT local staff about mini-blitzes they have designed and executed to effectively organize their membership. This workshop will cover lessons learned, what it takes to design and execute a blitz and how to hold onto organizing gains after all the organizers go home.
Bargaining for the Common Good: Supporting Our Communities
Room: Johnson B
Presenters: Kyle Arnone, AFT Collective Bargaining Center staff, Hilary Glasgow, executive director, Colorado-WINS
Moderator: Jerry Smith, president, Maryland Professional Employees Council
Wages, hours and working conditions are the bread and butter of union negotiations. But what about expanding the scope of negotiations to bring community concerns to the forefront? Learn about how unions can mobilize members and leverage power by doing this. AFT organizing directors and AFT staff will discuss successful campaigns to bargain for the public good and how this helps to lift all boats.
12:15 pm – 1:30 pm
Luncheon: Union Activism in the New Age
Key Ballroom 7/9/10
1:30 – 3:00 pm
Closing Plenary – Focus on the Future: Our Democracy at Stake
Room: Key Ballroom 7/9/10
Mary Cathryn Ricker, executive director, Albert Shanker Institute; Jan Hochadel, president, AFT Connecticut; AFT vice presidentPublic employees have incredibly diverse jobs, yet they all have one thing in common: democracy. In this interactive closing plenary session we will explore how all public employees defend democracy daily and how your local, state, and national union can support the work you do to strengthen our democracy.