AFL-CIO leader and state comptroller wow delegates
Two dynamic guest speakers addressed the nearly 800 PEF delegates attending the union’s 22nd Annual Convention: NY State Comptroller Carl McCall, and national AFL-CIO Executive Vice President Linda Chavez-Thompson.
Both leaders urged the delegates to be informed and active in the upcoming state and federal elections, and Chavez-Thompson noted that the AFL-CIO and other major unions — including PEF — have endorsed Al Gore for president.
The Texas native joked that in her support of Gore she would “make the supreme sacrifice and keep George W. Bush as governor,” because “We need a friend in the White House.”
McCall beamed broadly as he was escorted to the podium, with the crowd chanting “Governor, governor,” as he approached. The popular Democrat again hinted that he is considering a run for the governor’s seat in a few years.
“After the November election, I could be talking to you about the next battle, in 2002,” he said. “Let’s do it. Let’s fight together for the working families of America.”
McCall also urged the delegates to support the candidacies of Gore and US Senate-hopeful Hillary Rodham Clinton.
The comptroller then proudly noted passage of the permanent cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) legislation for retired public employees — a measure that he strongly supported.
“We waged the battle for five years. We stayed the course,” he said. “We were successful because we were right. We were doing the right thing.
President Benson then presented McCall with PEF’s “COLA” award, for his leadership in gaining approval of the new benefit.
— Denyce Duncan Lacy