CA Labor Federation Biennial Conference- Day 1
The California Labor Federation held its Biennial Conference at the end of July, where attending unions and members were to vote on endorsements of propositions and candidates for the upcoming November elections. FMF board member and prominent labor leader Dolores Huerta asked FMF interns to join her in lobbying the delegates to recommend a “No vote” on Proposition 85 - a anti-abortion parental notification initiative set to appear on the California ballot in November. We passed out flyers with information about the dangers of the proposition, and spoke to union members about our cause. The executive council had voted to make no recommendation on Prop 85 saying the issue was unrelated to labor and too controversial. As the delegation prepared to vote on the recommendation, many delegates approached the microphones, creating long lines of people down the isles of the conference room. Every single delegate that spoke advocated overturning the Council’s “No Recommendation” and taking an official stance on the proposition.
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Many women and men participated in the discussion, speaking of their own personal experiences, those of their students and young daughters. They insisted parental notification was, in fact, a labor issue; that young women represent a large constituency of labor unions. Many echoed the idea that Proposition 85 was a wedge issue, attempting to divide and conquer progressive solidarity. The deliberations were cut short because it was obvious to the Council that there was a clear challenge to their initial stance. The “No recommendation” was overturned and the committee officially endorsed a “Vote no” on Prop 85 recommendation instead.
As Feminist Majority Foundation interns proudly wearing our feminist tee-shirts, we were very visible at the conference. People surrounded us after the vote asking about our cause and where they too could purchase feminist merchandise. Several women approached, teary-eyed, to thank us for being at the conference and congratulating us on “our” victory. We were told that our presence put a face on the cause, and allowed the voters/union members to visualize the issue. It was a truly gratifying experience.
Interns with Delores Huerta- Day 2
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