WHEREAS:

The purpose of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act as amended was to promote the employment of older persons based on their ability rather than age; to prohibit arbitrary age discrimination in all phases of employment and employment-related benefits; and to prohibit mandatory retirement. The federal law protects all workers age 40 to age 70; and

WHEREAS:

Some states have state age discrimination laws that are more restrictive than the federal law, and carry additional penalties for failure to comply; and

WHEREAS:

AFSCME recognizes discrimination against older workers as an important human rights issue. Yet, in many jurisdictions, employers have been slow to revise benefit plans to comply with the law, and have often ignored the rights of older workers when it is convenient to do so.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That the International Union continue to provide educational training and materials to assist the membership in recognizing age discrimination in the workplace and in benefit plans, and develop new ways to promote increased awareness of the problem of age discrimination; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME councils and locals work for stronger enforcement of age discrimination laws to protect the rights of our members; and continue their commitment to eradicate discrimination based on age from the workplace; and

SUBMITTED BY:

John Bimel, President
Linda D. Sampson, Recording Secretary
Local 843, Council 28
Seattle, Washington
and
Human Rights Committee