AFT Public Employees Professional Issues Conference

Together We Thrive: Strengthening Our Communities through Public Service

Public sector professionals will get together in New York City to discuss our work in a post-pandemic world and how to build thriving communities where we work and live. In a time of crisis and opportunity, our voices, our ideas and our strength are key to building culturally responsive and anti-racist communities as we fight for the right to thrive. Join us and network with other public employee union members from across the country!

Oct. 8-10, 2021
AFT Public Employees Professional Issues Conference
New York Hilton Midtown
1335 Sixth Ave., New York City

For hotel and conference registration, and additional information, go to our registration site.

Download the complete program including agenda, workshop and presenter information.

Tentative agenda                                                                                                                                          

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2021

Registration (West Promenade, 3rd floor)
4 p.m. – 7 p.m.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2021

Registration (West Promenade, 3rd floor)
7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.

PRECONFERENCE WORKSHOPS
8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Virtual Organizing:  Another Tool in the Toolbox

Supporting Diversity Equity & Inclusion in the Public Sector

Hidden Trauma: What to do when you don’t know what to do

LUNCH ON YOUR OWN   

OPENING SESSION
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. 

Welcome – Jill Cohenour
Code of Conduct – Chris Runge
NY Welcome – Wayne Spence
Key note – Randi Weingarten
Introduction of panel – Jill Cohenour
Discussion with officers – Randi Weingarten, Jill Cohenour, Jan Hochadel, Wayne Spence

SESSION I
3:15 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.

Strand:  Organizing 1
Internal organizing strategies: New employee orientation and social events to build your union    

Strand:  Special Topics 1
Public Employee Student Debt Relief 

Strand:  Social & Climate Justice 1
Social Justice and the Union 

Strand:  Health & Safety 1
Preparing for Future Pandemics: Using lessons from the current crisis to improve future responses

RECEPTION
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

 

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2021

CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST 
8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

PLENARY SESSION
9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.

SESSION II  

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Strand:  Organizing II
Digital Outsourcing:  Protecting the Public Good

Strand:  Special Topics  II
Public Safety Roundtable: Moving Forward with Our Communities 

Strand:  Social & Climate Justice II
Building a Green Economy:  Where We Fit 

Strand:  Health & Safety  II
Negotiating Health and Safety Protections With or Without a Contract

LUNCHEON 
12:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.
Fedrick Ingram, AFT Secretary Treasurer

SESSION III 
1:15 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. 

Strand:  Organizing 1
Internal organizing strategies: New employee orientation and social events to build your union    

Strand: Special Topics III
COVID-19 Relief Money: How to Keep it for the Public Good

Strand:  Social & Climate Justice 1
Social Justice and the Union 

Strand:  Health & Safety I
Preparing for Future Pandemics: Using lessons from the current crisis to improve future responses 

SESSION IV 
3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. 

Strand:  Organizing II
Digital Organizing: In the Digital Age, Data is Democracy 

Strand:  Special Topics IV
Fighting Back on Social Media 

Strand:  Social & Climate Justice II
Building a Green Economy:  Where We Fit

Strand:  Health & Safety II
Negotiating Health and Safety Protections With or Without a Contract

Evening on your own

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2021

BREAKFAST AND CLOSING  
9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Evelyn DeJesus, AFT Executive Vice President

Story Circle at tables

State/Local Recognition