Resolution No: 205, 13 and 110 26th International Convention June 18-22, 1984 San Francisco, CA

WHEREAS:

The greatest challenge facing the human race is to prevent the occurrence of a nuclear war; and

WHEREAS:

The Reagan Administration is pursuing an unprecedented arms buildup which threatens global stability, increases the chance of a nuclear accident, and encourages the Soviet Union to follow suit. This massive defense buildup is being paid for by cuts to vital federal domestic programs; and

WHEREAS:

The Reagan defense buildup will undermine the recovery of the U. S. economy because it will fuel inflation, prevent reductions in interest rates and compete for the human, physical and monetary capital needed to rebuild the U. S. industrial base. Further, military spending for weapons systems creates fewer jobs per dollar than any other form of government spending; and

WHEREAS:

Both the U. S. and the U.S.S.R. currently possess the capability to absorb a "first strike" from the other and then retaliate with their own nuclear forces. U. S. military officials have repeatedly stated that they would not trade our defense capabilities for those of the Soviets.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That in the interest of preventing nuclear war, reversing the economic impact of weapons spending, and safeguarding the citizens of the United States and the entire world, AFSCME:

1. Calls on the President to negotiate a mutual and verifiable United States-Soviet Union freeze on the testing, production, and deployment of anti-satellite weapons, nuclear warheads, missiles, and other delivery systems as a first step toward arms reduction;

2. Calls for serious negotiations between the U.S., the U.S.S.R. and other nuclear powers to drastically cut current stockpiles of nuclear weapons and to reduce the danger of nuclear proliferation;

3. Calls for redirection of the resources saved by arms control to create jobs and meet human needs.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME reaffirms its support for the Kennedy-Hatfield Nuclear Weapons Freeze Resolution and the "Call to Halt the Nuclear Arms Race."

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME calls upon the Congress of the United States to suspend funding for the testing of nuclear warheads and the testing and deployment of new nuclear ballistic missiles and anti-satellite weapons as long as the Soviet Union makes and implements the same commitment. This principle is embodied in the Arms Race Moratorium Act, and AFSCME hereby declares its support for that Act.

SUBMITTED BY:

International Executive Board

Carolyn Samson, President
Norman Snyder, Secretary
AFSCME Local 707, Council 14
St. Paul, Minnesota

Sue King, President
Beverly Hermanson, Secretary
AFSCME Local 443, Council 28
01ympia, Washington