WHEREAS:

AFSCME represents over one-half million women, and numerous surveys have shown that the majority of working women as well as an increasing number of men in the United States have been victimized by sexual harassment at some time during their careers; and

WHEREAS:

Sexual harassment, in addition to the resulting emotional trauma, can have devastating economic consequences for its victims including forced resignation, denial of promotion or raise, unfavorable performance evaluation or discharge; and

WHEREAS:

Workers who quit as a result of sexual harassment are often denied unemployment compensation on the basis that they did not resign for "just cause;" and

WHEREAS:

Sexual harassment is a management problem. The majority of offenders are superiors who have the power to coerce employees in subordinate positions in the organization. Top level management should have a strong policy against sexual harassment which makes it clear that all employees are to be treated with respect and that persons who are guilty of sexual harassment will be severely disciplined; and

WHEREAS:

An impressive body of case law in the lower federal courts recognizes that sexual harassment violates Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has long-standing guidelines on sexual harassment. Yet in Capital City Federal Savings and Loan Association v. Vinson, the first sexual harassment case to reach the U.S. Supreme Court, the Reagan Administration sided with the employer in an attempt to restrict the ability of sexual harassment victims to bring successful Title VII claims; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That this 27th International Convention support strong enforcement of Title VII in sexual harassment cases and oppose the Reagan Administration's attempts to weaken Title VII protections; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME will continue to work for passage of state and local legislation proscribing sexual harassment; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME support legislative and regulatory changes to ensure that persons who quit their jobs as a result of sexual harassment are not denied unemployment compensation; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME applauds the recent Supreme Court decision in the Capital City Federal Savings & Loan Association v. Vinson; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

That AFSCME at all levels will continue its commitment to fighting sexual harassment by:

1. continuing and strengthening their educational programs on sexual harassment.
2. ensuring that all collective bargaining agreements include effective mechanisms for dealing with sexual harassment;
3. urging employers to enforce a strong policy against sexual harassment throughout the workplace;
4. providing a support system within the local union for victims of sexual harassment; and
5. supporting the filing of charges and lawsuits to secure relief for sexual harassment victims where appropriate.

SUBMITTED BY:

Dwight Newman, Delegate
Local 1583, Council 25
Ypsilanti, Michigan