Working people around the world are feeling the weight of overlapping crises fueled by powerful international corporations bent on undermining unions; growing inequality, a changing climate and increasing political violence. Last month, AFT Connecticut leaders participated in a regional approach to building a more just, prosperous and democratic future for all. The event was a unique opportunity to build solidarity, share best practices and learn from other activists within the Inter-American labor movement.
Just days after the 2024 General Election here in the United States, AFT Connecticut President Jan Hochadel (speaking in photo, above) and former Vice President for Public Employees Michael Barry traveled to Bogotá, Colombia. They were joined by more than 400 labor leaders, from northern Canada to the southern tip of Chile, for Public Services International (PSI)’s 13th Inter-American Regional Conference (IAMRECON).
For the last five years, Hochadel has co-chaired PSI’s Inter-American Regional Executive Committee (IAMREC). In this role, she convened North American meetings, represented our nation on its executive board and met with the global federation’s staff. She was front and center at this conference: facilitating multiple panels, delivering remarks on key issues for public sector unions and co-chairing the IAMREC meeting.
Click here for our previous report on Hochadel’s leadership in the global federation of public employee unions.
The AFT delegation also included Wayne Spence, who serves alongside Hochadel on our national union’s executive committee as a vice president at-large. The divisional director for public employees, Jennifer Porcari, provided staff support.
The delegation had the opportunity to meet, build solidarity with and learn valuable lessons from colleagues representing the diversity of the region’s labor movement. They included the AFL-CIO’s Solidarity Center, Canada’s National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE), Colombia’s Sindicato Nacional de Empleados de la Dirección de Impuestos y Aduanas Nacionales (SINEDAN), among others.
The agenda of the five-day conference was informed by a five-year program of action adopted in 2023 by affiliates to PSI’s global congress. The adopted plan is based on the federation’s vision of a better world that includes empowering working peoples to achieve inclusive societies, gender equality, respect and dignity for all.
Click here for the full 2024 IAMRECON agenda.
Prior to the conference’s convening, Hochadel co-chaired a full day Sub-regional Advisory Committee (SUBRAC) meeting with more than two dozen of PSI’s delegates and its general secretary. Most of the morning was focused on Donald J. Trump’s return to the White House and his administration’s likely impact on working people in the U.S. and across the Inter-American region.
Delegates also discussed a plan of action for the region, including how PSI can effectively disseminate bargaining language on a variety of topics of mutual interest. From tackling workplace violence to limiting technology’s harmful impacts to expanding sectoral negotiations, delegates embraced an approach to empowerment through shared experience.
The first day of the conference featured a variety of committee meetings, each tackling a range of issues. Hochadel additionally presented on the many ways labor unions across North America are taking on the challenges of predictive artificial intelligence (AI) and algorithmic management.
Click here for the resolution passed by delegates to the 2024 AFT national convention on AI.
“We have been in a constant state of intense technological change for more than 25 years, and it has impacted almost every aspect of public service,” Hochadel told delegates. “That’s why we need a three-pronged focus for addressing our new technological reality; at the bargaining table, in the halls of government and in partnership with companies like Microsoft.”
Hochadel added that labor leaders must secure broad contract language to ensure a seat at the table for negotiating the impact of technological changes well before they are implemented. She additionally highlighted the value of public policy advocacy, encouraging unions to craft legislative language and engage members in grassroots lobbying.
“By having influence in these discussions, our union members can become strong partners in building and supporting effective public services,” she concluded.
Click here for national reporting on legislative efforts to hold businesses accountable to ethical AI practices.
At the end of IAMRECON, Hochadel stepped down from her position as IAMREC co-chair, but will continue to serve on the PSI executive board representing the U.S.
Editor’s note: photo credit to Christopher Aefre, AFT; additional contributions from Rachel Anderson and Jenn Porcari, AFT.
