[Linganth] Fwd: Fwd: Moving forward

[monaghan at indiana.edu]

AAA Unites official position on the meetings is to have both Oakland and
Atlanta meetings.

all best, Leila


Begin forwarded message:

> From: "Robert T. O'Brien" <robrien at temple.edu>
> Date: October 24, 2004 3:41:23 PM EDT
> Subject: Moving forward
>
> Dear Section Leaders:
>
> I've composed the following quick synopsis of current thinking on the
> matter of counter-conference(s) and progressive attendance at Atlanta.
> Please forward as you wish.
>
> What we do not want to do is 1) undercut the UNITE HERE claim of
> victory or 2) dissipate the bargaining power of the AAA any further by
> balkanizing it.
>
> With regard to what a counter-conference should be, we plan a two-fold
> strategy of supporting UNITE HERE and, more to the point as AAA
> members, of convening to build a strong movement to reform the AAA at
> the Atlanta meeting.
>
> The option of San Jose is on the table, but many (including me)
> believe that Oakland could be a better option. Many anthropologists at
> departments in Berkeley and SFSU have offered space. UNITE HERE has
> offered logistical support. We could hold the counter-conference in
> Oakland, thereby maintaining the union's economic pressure on SF.
>
> Finally, there is no call for a boycott of the Atlanta meeting. Those
> of us who can will go to Atlanta and demand change at the AAA, having
> first worked out our resoultions and tactics in Oakland.
>
> Demands made (and to be discussed) thus far include: 1) The AAA staff
> cease all negotiations with hotel chains currently involved in labor
> diputes until the disputes have ended 2) To the greatest extent
> possible, the AAA must consider utilizing city and county-owned
> convention centers with union contracts in good standing, rather than
> hotels as meeting sites in the future 3) The AAA resolve to refuse any
> future business to the Hilton Corporation, 4) The staff insert an
> opt-out clause in the event of strikes of lockouts in all of our
> vender contracts. 5) The staff agressively negotiate with all vendors
> in a manner consistent with the guiding principles of the AAA. This
> must include reviewing the contracts in Virginia which preclude the
> possibility of extending domestic partner benefits. 6) The AAA
> immediately purchase cancelation insurance. 7) The AAA immediately
> make a substantial donation to support the locked-out workers' support
> fund. 8) The establishment of a forum linked to the AAA web site to
> will facilitate organizational-wide communication among individuals
> and across sections.
>
> There remain serious concerns: the manner in which the Executive
> Committee initiated the survey; the lack of detailed information on
> the San Jose alternatives that so many members have decried; the utter
> disregard of the survey results once he tally was taken; and the
> cross- and missed communication among AAA Sections. These will require
> focused and ongoing effort to resolve and move to forward as a united
> organization.
>
> Much of this has been watered-down because of the need for rhetoric at
> particular moments, but this is the long-term vision.
>
> I hope that you consider these thoughts.
>
> Best,
>
> Rob O'Brien, on behalf of the AAAUnite Ad Hoc Committee
>
> If it helps, I'm a member of AES, SANA, SCA, and SMA. My
> membership in CAE, SUNTA, and NAPA have lapsed because I'm a
> grad student who needs to eat.
>  ********************************************
> Robert T. O'Brien
> Ph.D. Candidate
> Department of Anthropology
> Temple University
> robrien at temple.edu
> 215-803-5181
>
> "We're changing the world,...freedom is the Almighty's gift to every
> man and woman in this world. And as the greatest power on the face of
> the Earth, we have an obligation to help the spread of freedom." GWB
> on
> why God loves an imperialist
>
> "...a really diverse crowd here tonight. The haves, and the
> have-mores. Some people call you elite. I call you my base." GWB at
> the Al Smith fundraiser, October 19, 2000
> ********************************************
>



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