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.
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