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. Despite significant progress, nationally, women working year round, full-time earn on average only 68 percent of what males working full-time all year earn; and

WHEREAS:

The Reagan judicial appointees have made it more difficult for plaintiffs in pay discrimination litigation to prevail. However, AFSCME and CSEA Local 1000 are awaiting a decision in a landmark lawsuit against Nassau County, New York. The evidence which was presented in this case we believe meets the objections raised by other courts to this type of Title VII case.

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; 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 where appropriate if the employer has refused to implement pay equity voluntarily; 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:

Joseph E. McDermott, President
Irene Carr, Secretary
CSEA Local 1000/AFSCME
Albany, NY