Vision

​

In order to work toward its vision, the Minnesota State Retiree Council, AFL-CIO, identified key goals and objectives for its work by engaging in a strategic planning process. That process and its findings and recommendations are presented in a full report that is available to all interested parties. This Executive Summary highlights the key directions and action steps in the plan.

 

The plan has 5 core goals:

1. Increase the number of union retirees engaged in labor retiree organizations.

2. Build a campaign to grow retiree organization membership, advance retirees’ role in issue and electoral organizing, and increase the number of retiree organization affiliated with the State Retiree Council.

3. Strengthen the State Retiree Council’s core internal structures and organize the resources needed to meet goals.

4. Expand and enhance communication efforts to advance and sustain the organizing on issues and elections.

5. Develop working relationships with other civic action organizations.

 

These goals are designed to build the power and impact that union retirees have on issues and elections.

 

Key strategies for meeting these goals will require the dedicated efforts of a group of Retiree Council members. The action steps identified to meet the goals involve building on current efforts and accomplishments. They will initiate a campaign to expand participation in retiree organizations and organize efforts to increase impact in issue and election work.

 

 

Key strategies:

 

1. Increase the number of retirees engaged in local and regional labor retiree organizations and the State Retiree Council through:

1. Work with active unions to increase systems for recruiting retirees, including information campaigns for workers approaching retirement, “intent to become a member” campaigns, support for retiree dues, and/or increased connections between active unions and their retiree organizations.

2. Create opportunities for education and action on issues relating to retirement security. Include training, information, and coordination

3. Provide attractive and accessible opportunities for retirees to engage in electoral activity.

4. Integrate electoral and issue work year round and provide opportunities for social interaction.

 

1. Build a campaign to grow retiree organization membership and    advance issue and electoral organizing

1. With the leaders of area labor councils and regional labor federations, plan a six-month campaign to build and strengthen multi-union regional retiree organizations.

2. Create a position for a Lead Organizer and form an Organizing & Growth Team.

3. Develop a budget and organize the resources, both finances and people, to do the work.

 

1. Strengthen the State Retiree Council’s internal structures and organize the resources needed to meet goals.

1. Create the position of Election Work Coordinator in addition to the Lead Organizer identified above.

2. Solidify the committees and task forces needed to do the work to build retiree power and meet the goals of the State Retiree Council.

3. Organize the resources needed to do the work.

 

1. Expand and enhance communication efforts to advance and sustain the organizing on issues and elections.

1. Continue the excellent work in progress and maximize the use of Internet based communications: website, social media, and videos.

2. Maximize the reach of the Retiree Bulletin.

3. Promote increased attention to retiree issues in the labor and popular press.

4. Expand the number of retirees engaged in coordinated communications work.

5. Continue to support a standing communications committee.

6.  Organize resources to do the work.  

 

 

1. Develop working relationships with other civic action organizations

1. Work with regional labor councils and regional labor federations to identify civic action organizations in the region whose work aligns with the work of the retiree organizations.

2. Foster relationships with those organizations to strengthen the power of labor union voices on issues and the impact on elections.

 

The campaign style approach for the plan is intended to excite and energize retirees who will be essential to the success of building retiree power. The Council has underscored the urgency of this work in a time in which retirees’ economic security is threatened at the same time that more and more workers are entering retirement. To the extent that labor retiree organizations can harness and engage new members, they will strengthen the State Retiree Council’s ability to have a meaningful impact on issues and elections to the benefit of retirees and workers.