WHEREAS:

Since the early 1970s AFSCME has been at the forefront of the drive to end sex- and race-based wage discrimination. Through collective bargaining, through legislation and through litigation AFSCME has obtained hundreds of millions of dollars in pay equity adjustments for tens of thousands of workers in female-dominated jobs; and

WHEREAS:

There are still many employers whose compensation systems contain systemic discrimination; and

WHEREAS:

Opposition from the business community and the Reagan Administration has impeded the drive to achieve pay equity; and

WHEREAS:

The U.S. Congress is considering legislation mandating a study to determine whether the Federal Civil Service system contains sex or race bias.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME reaffirms the achievement of pay equity as one of AFSCME's major priorities. AFSCME urges all affiliates to work for pay equity through collective bargaining, if feasible, since collective bargaining is the most direct and expedient way to address pay disparities. AFSCME congratulates those councils and locals which have fought for and won pay equity adjustments at the bargaining table; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME will continue to work for appropriate legislation to achieve pay equity where negotiation is not possible; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME will continue to use the courts strategically to develop favorable case law on the issue in state and federal courts where appropriate if the employer has refused to implement pay equity voluntarily; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME will continue to make passage of federal pay equity legislation a major priority; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

That AFSCME will continue to provide training and technical assistance to affiliates and will continue to work with and support other organizations including the National Committee on Pay Equity to increase public awareness and support.

SUBMITTED BY:

William L. McGowan, Delegate and President
Irene Carr, Delegate and Secretary
CSEA/AFSCME Local 1000
Albany, New York

Susan Entenman, Delegate
AFSCME Local 2428, Council 57
California