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.

Tentative agenda                                                                                                                                          

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2021

Registration
8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

SESSION I 
8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Virtual Organizing:  Another Tool in the Toolbox

Supporting Diversity Equity & Inclusion in the Public Sector

Post Pandemic: Your union’s role in addressing public employee mental health needs.

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 and any other officers

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
Building Public Sector Coalitions for Social Justice 

Strand:  Health & Safety 1
Preparing for the Next Pandemic (You know It’s Coming)

RECEPTION/Circle Line Boat Tour?
5:30 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
*Office Hours with Staff option

LUNCHEON 

12:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.
Political speaker/networking

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
Building Public Sector Coalitions for Social Justice 

Strand:  Health & Safety I
Preparing for the Next Pandemic (You know it’s coming) 

SESSION IV 
3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. 

Strand:  Organizing II
Digital Outsourcing:  Protecting our Data and Public Good 

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
*Office Hours with Staff option

Evening on your own or Radical Labor Walk?

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2021

BREAKFAST AND CLOSING  
9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Story Circle at tables

State/Local Recognition