In Exciting New Council 36 Program, Member Organizers Build AFSCME Power

AFSCME-Endorsed Glendora Measure Wins Voter Approval Following Organizing Blitz

On a rainy Saturday afternoon on March 2nd, Council 36’s Organizing Department kicked off the Volunteer Member Organizer (VMO) program in San Dimas, CA, to increase the number of AFSCME members who actively assist in organizing drives beyond their workplace. At the launch, VMOs from all over Southern California, stretching from Long Beach to Los Angeles, united to help pass Measure E in the City of Glendora, confirming that when we all come together, we win.

The Organizing Department equipped the VMOs with training and classroom and field exercises to build their one-on-one communication and organizing skills.

Why is it important to build union power? Daniel De La Cruz, VMO and a worker at Long Beach Transit says it "allows for all voices to be heard.” And on March 2nd, helping our fellow brothers and sisters at AFSCME Local 3915, (City of Glendora Employees) confirmed that when we all come together, we build union power, we fight and we win.”

The VMOs volunteered their time immediately after the training to support AFSCME Local 3915 in its final weekend push to knock on doors and talk with Glendora voters about supporting the local ballot measure. Over the previous weeks, members of Local 3915 had called voters, wrote over 400 letters and hung yard signs all over Glendora encouraging them to support the revenue-enhancement measure to save City services and jobs.

Last week, the LA County Registrar-Recorder certified the results of Measure E: YES 3,524 / NO 3,042, confirming the importance of the commitment of the VMOs to get out the vote.

"This is what solidarity is all about," said Harut Mesropyan, President of Local 3915 and one of the VMO participants. "Thank you to everyone for supporting our campaign."

Special thanks to our sister affiliate, AFSCME UNAC, for opening their union hall to make this training possible. 

The next VMO training program is scheduled for the last weekend in April in the City of Los Angeles. To get involved, click on this link: https://forms.gle/HuGhKxsrGoPeRAW58. For additional information, contact Ling Esangga, Council 36 Organizing Director, at lesangga@afscme36.org.