WHEREAS:

Public workers should be afforded the same collective bargaining rights their counterparts in the private sector have enjoyed for over fifty years and to which all workers in a free, democratic society are entitled; and

WHEREAS:

Although the two most recently enacted state labor laws for Ohio and Illinois which offer comprehensive collective bargaining rights are encouraging, other states have not followed their lead and enacted similar legislation; and

WHEREAS:

With the recent Garcia decision which allows federal legislation (Fair Labor Standards Act) to cover public employees, the constitutional basis for the enactment of federal legislation has been reestablished, which in the past encouraged individual states and local jurisdictions to enact laws on their own.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME continue to work to achieve legislation giving public sector workers full rights and protections to organize and bargain collectively in individual states and local jurisdictions. The International will assist affiliates in their efforts to obtain full collective bargaining rights for all public sector workers; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME reaffirm its commitment to the goal of federal legislation extending full collective bargaining fights to all state and local government employees.

SUBMITTED BY:

Melvin 0. Amos, President
Darlene Strock, Secretary
Council 67
Baltimore, Maryland