WHEREAS:

The basic rights and protections gained by private sector workers under the National Labor Relations Act over fifty-three years ago are still denied to a large number of state and local government employees; and

WHEREAS:

An irrational patchwork of state laws, local ordinances and Executive Orders characterize public sector labor relations in 1988, with no equitable and uniform standards. Most bargaining laws have some inequitable features not found in the National Labor Relations Am and

WHEREAS:

Only 22 states have comprehensive laws mandating broad-scope collective bargaining on wages, hours, and conditions of employment for state and local government employees. State legislation in 15 states covers only certain public workers, such as local government employees only, or educational employees only, or police and fire only. There is no state legislation for any bargaining whatsoever in 13 states; and

WHEREAS:

The Garcia decision by the U.S. Supreme Court has firmly established the constitutional basis for the enactment of federal legislation; and

WHEREAS:

Federal collective bargaining legislation for state and local government employees would afford these employees the basic rights to organize and engage in collective bargaining already enjoyed by private sector workers.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME reaffirm its support for enactment of federal legislation to establish a rational framework extending full collective bargaining rights to all state and local government employees; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That until such federal legislation is enacted, AFSCME continue to work to achieve legislation giving public sector workers full rights and protections to organize and bargain collectively in individual state and local jurisdictions.

SUBMITTED BY:

William Hudson, President
William Wharton, Recording Secretary
Council 92
Baltimore, Maryland