Privatization is a growing threat in many areas of public service including health care. Learn practical strategies for stopping privatization at the AFT's 1999 Civil and Human Rights Conference.

Privatization is sometimes promoted as a way to help minorities and the poor, but these groups are usually the first to suffer when a public hospital is privatized or public education funds are siphoned off into vouchers.

When: Friday, Oct. 29 through Sunday, Oct. 31

Where: Detroit

Invited speakers include:

Kweisi Mfume of the NAACP; and
Mayor Dennis Archer of Detroit.

Discussions and activities will cover:

• the impact of privatization on communities of color;
• strategies for winning public support ;
• mobilizing union members;
• building alliances with other labor, religious and community organizations; and
• fighting privatization in the legislature.

AFT executive vice president Nat LaCour will deliver the keynote address.

For more information about the conference, contact the AFT human rights and community relations department at 202/879-4400, ext. 4434.