While the union has long offered leadership training, this summer the union started training SRP members to give workshops through a Professional Development Program just for SRP members. SRP leaders got a look at several of these workshops at the recent conference in White Plains. Those were just two of 18 workshops offered during the leadership conference. Participants also attended large group meetings to get the latest information on union courses and offerings, and to share concerns about working conditions. Wood noted that SRP members across the state must respond to the union's commitment for it to continue.
Increased involvement can only happen if both sides participate.
The union is you and each of your members and the work we all do together. Training will be offered Aug. 1-5, 2001. Retirees stay active in the union through retiree councils set up across the state. It was the strength of these councils that turned out thousands of members for a rally at the state Capitol in May and pushed through legislation to vastly improve pensions for public workers. Longo urged leaders to create a retiree coordinator position in their locals and keep retiree members on their membership mailing lists.