Every member matters

This week reflected the diversity of AFT-CT, in meetings I attended.
On Monday and Friday, I met with the leadership of 3 of our smaller locals, Manchester Skilled Service and Maintenance, LPN/Tech, and Rockville RNs.
The Thursday meeting of PLANs: Partnership for Leaders & Activists for New Solutions brought together the leaders of many of our federations largest locals.
Then Saturday, AFT-CT members from every corner of the state and from all our divisions, met in Hartford for our Legislative Conference.

A couple of observations.

As diverse as we are, we are also alike in so many ways.
Education, Healthcare, Public Employees, we all "serve", be it students, patients or the public.  At the end of the day, it is not only about a paycheck.
We make a difference in people's lives.

That's why a teacher can understand a nurse can understand a social worker, etc, etc, etc.
I have seen over and over, a hospital housekeeper stop and help a patient or visitor.
We all know of  a story of a custodian who believed in students when they did not believe in themselves.
These people could have chosen another line of work, or at least, another place of work, but they know they make a difference, and it matters to them.
It should.

I'm proud to be a member of AFT.
I'm thrilled at the opportunities I have to meet so many dedicated people.
I hope to continue to fight for them for some time to come because whatever division we are in, whatever the size of our local, the individual member matters.
They make a difference.