Special Labor Party Convention December 2023

[Pyro]

SPECIAL LABOR PARTY CONVENTION
DECEMBER 2023

Opening Statement from Senator Pyro

Dearest delegates, friends, comrades and fellow champions of the working class. It's time for a new beginning.

I speak to you today with the hope of inspiring a renewal for our Labor Party, Atlasia's home for progressive policies and innovative solutions for more than ten years. Having been present at the party's founding long ago, and observing our endurance throughout this Republic, I know first-hand that this organization has strength and resilience to spare. Our leadership in Nyman and regional governments have consistently led the fight for genuine reform, oftentimes acting as a bulwark against de-regulation and corporatism. And yet, it is certainly evident to me that any worthwhile revival requires acknowledgement of the need for revolutionary improvement. Our ultimate dynamic must stay true to the tenants of democratization, transparency, and activity. Decisions concerning appointments, nominations, and other items of consequence must be made by the delegates of the Labor Party. It would likewise be apt to create and maintain an open party newsletter or forum to give Labor members a real voice.

In convening this special convention for the Labor Party, our wider goal is building a stable, competent foundation to breathe life into the game. However, we stand today without a clear-cut picture for the Labor Vanguard. As the highest-ranking Labor Party official in public service, I took it upon myself to open this convention and take the first step. Due to the unfortunate de-registration or change of party affiliation of the former slate of leadership, it will be our duty at this gathering to elect a new leadership committee capable of responsible governance and a mind for reform. Also to note, the status of this event as a special convention, in my determination, will temporarily override the standard convention agenda as outlined in the party bylaws.

Without further ado, I welcome Labor Party delegates to sign in.
Delegates are also encouraged to declare for the following positions within the leadership:

**Chair**
**Vice Chair**
**General Secretary**

48 hours will be allowed for the sign-in and nomination period.

[Pyro]

Party Platform

1. The Labor Party is a democratic socialist party dedicated to the idea that society should be structured in an equitable fashion. It believes that by the strength of our common endeavor we achieve more than we achieve alone, to create for all of us a community in which power, wealth and opportunity are in the hands of the many, not the few.  We seek to build a society that reflects the spirit of solidarity, tolerance and respect.

2.The prosperity of the working class is paramount to maintaining a just and equitable society. In recognition that labor is prior to, and independent of, capital, a prosperous working class means a prosperous Atlasia. Workers, therefore, deserve fair pay for their labors as well as adequate, guaranteed workplace benefits for sustaining a healthy and dignified life. This includes statutory paid sick leave, vacation and personal time, a four-day working week, paid holidays, maternity and paternity leave, pension plans, and remote work options.

3. It is the role of the government to ensure that the basic needs and necessities of all persons are met. It is uncivilized to allow any person to live in squalor. The distribution of food, public housing, and financial assistance is paramount. Clean air and water must be maintained.

4. All workers have the right to join a union, and to bargain collectively with their employers. Employers must not be permitted to fire striking workers. The use of replacement workers, or “scabs”, is unconscionable.

5. The wealthy must pay their fair share in taxes, and a progressive tax system should exist to promote wealth equality while ensuring those at the bottom aren’t unduly hurt. In recognition of the risk of instability posed by extreme wealth inequality, the federal government must ensure public policy reflects the need to end such inequities.

6. The federal government must vigorously regulate corporate enterprise to eliminate private monopolies and other illegal combinations of industry, stamp out corruption and malfeasance, seek the total elimination of wage theft, and ultimately ensure a fair economy. Furthermore, it must be recognized that banks cannot be too big to fail. As is the case with combinations of industry, large banks must be broken up. In addition, the federal government must regulate and intervene in the stock market to the extent that is necessary to ensure sufficient oversight of the national economy.

7. Healthcare is a human right.All people deserve  quality, universal healthcare free-of-charge. Access to healthcare and childcare services must always be maintained.

8. It is the right of all persons to do as they wish with their own bodies. All attempts to criminalize drug use, abortion, or sex between consenting adults must be opposed.

9. Every student has a right to a quality, no-cost, and public education from pre-kindergarten through university. Options for enrollment in trade schools must also be funded. It is vital to provide incentives to those who wish to enter the teaching profession.

10. Our cities must be revitalized by helping deal with entrenched cost-of-living issues made especially acute by NIMBY (not-in-my-backyard) policies on local and state levels. Atlasians of all income levels ought not be confronted with outrageous cost-of-living levels in the vibrant urban centers in which they dwell. Furthermore, it must be recognized that policies such as upzoning are the primary means for which the dream of having a long-term residence, either by owning or renting, may be made more realistic for low-income Atlasians by increasing the amount of supply in the housing market.

11. The outsourcing of jobs from Atlasia is an unjust act that serves to shrink our economy for the sake of corporate profit. International trade agreements should protect workers of all nations.

12. Atlasia should be welcoming to all immigrants. All efforts to mass deport undocumented immigrants or build/expand a border fence or wall are inhumane and should be opposed. We support a pathway to legalization and, ultimately, citizenship for undocumented peoples living in Atlasia, as well as for migrant arrivals.

13. Combating climate change, pollution, and the degradation of natural resources is important for the health of the environment and all people. The national energy policy of Atlasia must reflect this urgency. The government must establish collective ownership of energy and public utilities by the Atlasian Energy Authority founded on the principles of democratic governance and local control. Furthermore, emissions regulations must be tightened to protect the Earth from damage brought upon by greenhouse gases. Additionally, the government should facilitate new renewable energy construction and work to create new renewable energy solutions and phase out fossil fuels. In our efforts to de-carbonize the power sector, the government’s energy approach must be inclusive of all zero-carbon technologies, including hydroelectric power, geothermal, existing and advanced nuclear, and carbon capture and storage.

14. The government should invest in research aimed towards developing technology which will curb or prevent natural disasters such as wildfires and hurricanes.

15. People have a right to privacy and as such should be free from unwarranted government surveillance. Government censorship of media and communications should not exist for any reason.

16. Discrimination in all forms must be condemned. It is the duty of the government to ensure none are subject to discrimination based on race, gender identity, sexual orientation, class status, disability, or religious beliefs. No business or government office can be permitted to fire personnel or deny service to people based on their race, gender identity, sexual orientation, class status, disability, or religious beliefs.

17. Prisons should focus on rehabilitating offenders. Prison conditions should be improved.  For-profit prisons should not exist. Maximum sentences must be decreased for all but the most serious crimes. Life imprisonment should be used sparingly. The death penalty is barbaric and must always be outlawed.

18. Police are to be the keepers of peace, not the instigators of violence. Policing must be regulated to ensure equal and fair treatment of all under the law.

19.  All of the rights and protections enshrined in the Constitution should be defended. The right to free speech should be protected - including in schools and in the workplace. The right to assemble should not be hindered by fees, permits, or inhumane "control" tactics, including tear gas, rubber bullets, sound machines, or similar projectiles.

20.  The government needs to strike an appropriate balance between gun rights and protecting public safety.

21. In recognition of the authority of the United Nations to uphold international law, our military spending must reflect the position that Atlasia is not the world's policeman. The presence of Atlasia's armed forces abroad, except where absolutely necessary, should be eliminated. The use of international diplomacy is integral in ensuring lasting peace throughout the world. Military aggression and use of torture in times of war must be condemned, and any perpetrators of such acts must be criminally prosecuted.
 
22. The Labor Party must support the territorial integrity of Palestine and of the Kurdish people, and take the appropriate steps diplomatically establish independent states for both groups.

23. The Labor Party is pro-democracy and rejects attempts to achieve constitutional changes without the consent of the people.

24. The Labor Party denounces the actions of the Kansas Crisis plotters, whose conduct did not in any way represent our party or its values.

25. The Labor Party is a Unionist Party. It recognizes that the Union of the Regions, and of the States, is perpetual, vital, and unbreakable. The Labor Party is committed to supporting and defending strongly supports the Union of Atlasia and strongly opposes attempts to reduce the sovereignty of our federal government over any part of it.

[Pyro]

Party Bylaws

I. CREATION & AMENDMENT OF PARTY BY-LAWS

1. Any Party Member may introduce changes to the by-laws. Changes shall be presented and discussed during the allotted time slot at the Convention.
a. If there are no objections within 24 hours, the by-laws will be automatically approved.
b. If there are objections, 24 hours will be given for the Members to discuss and make changes as a group; more time can be given by the Politburo if necessary.
c. Following that, a 72 hour vote will take place to approve or reject the by-laws.

2. Outside the Convention, changes to the by-laws shall be presented and discussed in a place designated by the Chair. They shall subsequently be approved or rejected by Party Members according to the procedures set forth in Section I-1.

II. CREATION & AMENDMENT OF PARTY PLATFORM

1. The Politburo, and any number of appointed Party Members, will have the initial task of creating the party platform and will be in charge of initial changes in subsequent Conventions. The platform shall then be presented to the Members, who will then be allowed to make objections and suggest changes to the platform.
a. If there are no objections within 24 hours, the platform will be automatically approved.
b. If there are objections, 24 hours will be given for the Members to discuss and make changes as a group; more time can be given by the Politburo if necessary.
c. Following that, a 72 hour vote will take place to approve or reject the platform.

2. Outside the Convention, changes to the platform shall be presented and discussed in a place designated by the Chair. They shall subsequently be approved or rejected by Party Members according to the procedures set forth in Section II-1.

III. ESTABLISHMENT & MANAGEMENT OF CONVENTIONS

1. The Labor Party Convention will start five weeks before the Atlasia Presidential Election, with the location of the Convention rotating among the three regions of Atlasia in alphabetical order.

2. Establishing the next Labor Party Convention shall employ the following process: Each Member is given 24 hours to nominate one city in the given region assigned for the next Convention, with the top three (3) nominations being placed on the ballot. Members will be given 24 hours to select their choice.

3. Each Labor Party Convention will have the following agenda:
a. Updates and amendments of the Party by-laws
b. Updates and amendments of the Party platform
c. Endorsements for the upcoming Atlasia Federal Elections and subsequent-month regional elections
d. Special and irregular business put forward by the Politburo
e. Establishment of the date and city for the upcoming Convention
f. Election of new party leadership

4. The schedule of the convention shall be as follows:

(Note: "-7" refers to the seventh Friday before the presidential inauguration, "-6" to the sixth, and so on.)

-7: Convention opens, sign-in. Work on and edits to the bylaw and platform through the week.
-6: Bylaw/Platform work and other business of the politburo, and campaigning for the presidential primary.
-5: Presidential primary begins, to last three days.
-4: Downballot endorsement primary begins, to last three days, after a four day request period.
-3: Final week prior to election
-2: Federal election begins
-1: Politburo election cycle begins (conducted in accordance with Article IV)
0: New leadership takes office at the start of the day, Federal gov't at noon.
1: Endorsement primary for following-month elections, after four day request period, and convention site vote.
2: Convention must close by this date.

IV. ELECTION OF THE POLITBURO

1. Members will have 48 hours to declare that they wish to seek the following positions, beginning on the final Friday of February, June and October: Chair, Vice Chair, & General Secretary. There will then be 72 hours for campaigning, followed by a 48 hour election.

2. In the event of resignation or vacancy of the Chair position, the Vice Chair shall immediately assume the role on an interim basis. A special declaration period, campaigning period & subsequent election shall be held beginning on the first Friday at least 168 hours from the time of the Chair vacancy, with the same time-frames for each period as outlined in IV-1.

3. In the event of resignation or vacancy of the Vice Chair or General Secretary positions, the Chair shall appoint Labor Party Members to these offices for the remainder of their terms.

V. ROLES OF THE POLITBURO

1. Chair
a. The official leader of the Labor Party, unless there is a Labor Party President
b. Is in charge of the Convention process
c. Officiates Party voting
d. Gives the Vice Chair and the General Secretary goals and objectives for their given jobs
e. Is in charge of Party political strategy
f. Is allowed to create and/or appoint other Party officials as he or she sees fit
g. Ensures insubordination by other Members of the Politburo is handled within the caucus
h. Is in charge of GOTV operations for both the Party and allied factions, which includes supporters not officially registered with the Party

2. Vice Chair
a. Takes over for the Chair temporarily if the Chair requests a leave of absence or has been absent for 72 hours
b. Is in charge of Party recruitment in order to grow the Party
c. Responsible for keeping up with business at the Federal and regional levels, and makes sure that the Labor Party has an official stance on each issue; this will be done in collaboration with the rest of the Politburo and the advice of the Party
d. Deals with logistics and personnel

3. General Secretary
a. Takes over for the Chairman or Vice Chair if either the Chair and Vice Chair both have requested a leave of absence or both have been absent for 72 hours
b. Is in charge of candidate recruitment for all levels of government
c. Serves as a Congressional Whip, working with Members of Congress to find common ground and support for bills proposed by the Party

VI. ENDORSEMENT PROCEDURE

1. Endorsement elections will take place two (2) weeks before the respective election. Voting will last 72 hours.  An additional primary for elections during the subsequent inauguration month shall take place beginning one week after Inauguration Day.

2. All Labor Party candidates in compliance with Sections VII-2a, VII-2b, & VII-2c are automatically endorsed by the Party.

3. If there are not enough Labor Party Members running in a given election, the Party may then endorse candidates from other parties who agree with the Party's principles and values, allowing our Party to endorse a maximum number of candidates, equivalent to the number of open seats in an election.

4. In order to be eligible to receive the Endorsement of the Labor Party, the non-Party candidate(s) must declare that he or she wishes to receive our Party’s Endorsement during the Endorsement suggestion period, which begins three weeks before the election and ends two weeks before the election. The candidate must also have a Laborite second the Endorsement nomination in order to be placed on the Endorsement Ballot.

5. Endorsement voting will begin immediately following the Endorsement Suggestion Period and will last for 72 hours. Votes for each non-Party candidate shall be cast and counted either as an affirmative, negative, or abstention. An abstention ballot is counted against a candidate's affirmative percentage as it applies in Section VI-6.

6. A non-Party candidate must receive affirmative preference from at least 60% of all Endorsement Ballots cast in order to receive the Endorsement of the Party. In the event there are more candidates with 60%+ affirmative preference than available Endorsements, they will be awarded from highest percentage affirmative preference downward. In the event of a tie in affirmative preference percentages between 2 or more candidates, the candidate or candidates who declared their intent to receive the Party's Endorsement first shall receive the Endorsement.

VII. PRIMARY PROCEDURE
 
1. Primaries will take place two (2) weeks before the respective election for all non-presidential races, and three (3) weeks before the respective election for presidential races. Voting will last for 72 hours. An additional primary for elections during the subsequent inauguration month shall take place beginning one week after Inauguration Day.
 
2. All Labor Party candidates are automatically endorsed by the Party, except for the following situations in which there will be a Labor Party Primary:
   a. There are multiple Labor Party Members running in a single-seat election
b. A Labor Party member is a presidential or vice-presidential candidate on a cross-party ticket

3. If there are multiple presidential/vice-presidential tickets consisting of Labor Party Members, but only one ticket is led by a Labor Party member then that ticket shall be endorsed.

d. In all other situations, a Primary shall be held in concurrence with the provisions outlined in Sections VI & VII
e. In the event there is a reasonable doubt about the qualifications or intent of the preferred presidential ticket as selected via Section 3a, 3b, or 3c, the automatic Endorsement can be suspended by a unanimous vote of the Politburo, with a Primary being held to select the winner
 
4. The loser(s) of a Primary are strongly encouraged not to run as an independent, as doing so will result in a loss of position within the Politburo, a denial of access to Labor primaries and the Endorsement of the Party in the subsequent three (3) Federal elections.

VIII. VOTING

1. All Members of the Labor Party who were registered with the Census Bureau as such at least 336 hours (two weeks) before the opening of any vote in a Convention, Primary, Endorsement, Politburo election, or expulsion are eligible to vote. The 336-hour registration requirement does not apply to persons joining the game as new citizens.

2. Voting in a Labor Party Convention, Primary, Endorsement, Politburo election, or expulsion will proceed in the following manner:
 
a. Voters shall mark their ballot with an “X” in the case of single-choice elections, and shall rank their preferences in the case of multiple-choice elections
b. In the event of a tie, a runoff election shall be held 24 hours following the end of the election, and shall last for 48 hours
c. In the event there is a tie in a runoff, the first person to request an Endorsement shall be the winner (in the case of non-Party Members) and the person with the highest number of [1] preferences shall be the winner (in the case of Party Members)

IX. MEMBERSHIP AND EXPULSION
1. Members whose actions are judged inappropriate or unbecoming of the Party may be subject to expulsion, initiated by a motion consisting of two (2) Party Members and one (1) Member of the Politburo.

2. A simple majority of those Party Members voting in favor of expulsion shall be sufficient to expel a Member, assuming the total number of Members voting in favor of and against expulsion is at least one-quarter (25%) of the Party's Membership.

3. All persons registered under the Labor Party with the Registrar General shall be granted membership in the Labor Party, unless they have been expelled via the procedures detailed above.

X. CONGRESSIONAL LEADERSHIP

1. The Senate Leader is in charge of ensuring unity and cohesion among the Labor caucus in the Senate as well as serving as the second highest-ranking Labor Party elected official in the absence of a Labor President or Vice President.
a. Should the Senate President Pro Tempore be a member of the Labor Party, they shall be designated the Senate Leader.
b. Should the Senate President Pro Tempore be a member of another party, the designation of Congressional Leader shall fall on the longest continuously serving Labor Party Senator.

[Pyro]

x PyroTheFox

Hereby announcing my candidacy for Chair of the Labor Party.

[America Needs a 13-6 Progressive SCOTUS]

x Solid4096

[Former President tack50]

X tack50

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

xTimTurner

[Pericles]

x Pericles

[Blair]

And did those feet in ancient time…

X Blair

[nerd73]

x nerd73

[pabloni21]

x pabloni

[Pyro]

Leadership Elections Now Open

I express my heartfelt welcome to all of my fellow delegates joining this convention, friends of Labor old and new. It is now time to begin the elections for leadership. The window for announcing candidacy for leadership nomination has closed, and we will now commence a period of voting. This voting period shall last 72 hours, and is open to all delegates. To note, Labor members who have not signed-in to this convention may still do so to cast their ballot.

Delegates, please fill out the ballot below with your preferences.

Chair
[  ] PyroTheFox of New York
[  ] Write-in: ___________
Vice Chair
[  ] Write-in: ___________
General Secretary
[  ] Write-in: ___________

[nerd73]

Chair: Pyro

Vice Chair: Write-in: nerd73

General Secretary: Abstain (nobody has declared)

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

What does the General Secretary do? Am willing to fill the role if no one else wants it.

[GM Team Member and Senator WB]

What does the General Secretary do? Am willing to fill the role if no one else wants it.

Not a member of the convention but it is in the bylaws:

3. General Secretary
a. Takes over for the Chairman or Vice Chair if either the Chair and Vice Chair both have requested a leave of absence or both have been absent for 72 hours
b. Is in charge of candidate recruitment for all levels of government
c. Serves as a Congressional Whip, working with Members of Congress to find common ground and support for bills proposed by the Party

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

D'oh. Upon reflection it's the role I'm least ready to take atm, between the three.
Pyro will just fill it via appointee.

[Former President tack50]

Pyro for chair
Nerd for vicechair
Timturner for general secretary

[Pericles]

Pyro & Nerd-go team!

[Pyro]

Chair
[ X ] PyroTheFox of New York
[  ] Write-in: ___________
Vice Chair
[ X ] Write-in: Nerd73
General Secretary
[ X ] Write-in: TimTurner

[Pyro]

Leadership Election Results

With the allotted time expired, the votes shall be certified and counted. All votes cast by a delegate to this convention have been accepted.

PyroTheFox is elected Chair.

Nerd73 is elected Vice Chair.
Nerd's ballot shall be counted as a formal declaration of candidacy.

TimTurner is elected General Secretary.*
*Contingent upon the delegate's formal acceptance of this position.

Officers to the Labor Party have been elected. I humbly thank my fellow delegates for entrusting me with the responsibility of Labor Party Chair. It is my intent to lead this organization into an era of rejuvenated activity and growth, enabling stronger ties with working-class Atlasians, and giving voice to the struggle of the toiling masses. I too express heartfelt congratulations to Nerd in his new position as Vice Chair, and TimTurner as General Secretary, should he choose to accept this position. This team is prepared to meet the challenge!

[Pyro]

Senate Vacancy Nominations

Now, this most recent election presents a fascinating scenario for this convention. The fine voters of Atlasia selected me as the next Northeast Subregional Senator, as well as Senator At-Large. Therefore, we have before us an open At-Large seat in the next Senate session. As we all know, the responsibility of filling such a vacancy in this scenario falls to the party leader/chair. However, to prove my commitment to democratic action, open transparency, and my personal distaste of Discord dealings, I choose to leave the decision up to the delegates of this convention. Furthermore, in consideration of the upcoming holidays, I will allow extra time for the fulfillment of this task.

The floor is now open for nominations for the Senate vacancy.

This shall follow a similar procedure to that of candidate endorsements (Bylaws, VI). Delegates to this convention and members of the Labor Party will appear on the ballot upon their declaration of interest. Non-party candidates may also declare interest, however they must have a Laborite second the nomination in order to be placed on the ballot. On Dec. 27th, the nomination period shall end, and voting will commence.

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

I declare my interest

[America Needs a 13-6 Progressive SCOTUS]

I declare my interest

lol

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

How demanding is the Gen Sec job, usually?

[Adam Griffin]

I'll stand as a candidate for the Senate vacancy.