WHEREAS:

Fighting for safer workplaces and protecting the lives and health of members is a top priority for AFSCME; and

WHEREAS:

Twenty-two years have elapsed since passage of the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act. However, the terrible toll of workplace injuries, illnesses and fatalities continues, as dramatically shown by the Hamlet, NC, tragedy where 25 poultry workers were killed in a plant fire; and

WHEREAS:

It is estimated that over 1600 public employees were killed in on-the-job accidents in 1990 and almost 300,000 suffered disabling injuries. The full extent of hazards in the public sector is unknown because accurate injury and illness statistics do not exist for public employees, nor do these statistics cover occupationally related illnesses; and

WHEREAS:

Although public employees do some of the most dangerous and unpleasant work our society demands to provide safe and pleasant lives for Americans, the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 does not provide for mandatory coverage of public employees; and

WHEREAS:

The Bush Administration and the Office of Management and Budget have launched a major new attack on regulations that protect the health and safety of American workers; and

WHEREAS:

OSHA's regulatory process has reached bureaucratic gridlock, with new standards only being issued after lengthy delays, and usually under court order; and

WHEREAS:

AFSCME members work on the frontier of unregulated occupational safety and health hazards including infectious diseases, indoor air pollution, back injuries, violence in the workplace, video display terminals and toxic wastes; and

WHEREAS:

Despite OSHA's reluctance to recognize violence as a workplace hazard, the problem of violence in the workplace is plaguing AFSCME members who work in correctional facilities, mental health institutions, social services, housing projects, urban areas, on city streets, and other areas; and

WHEREAS:

The Comprehensive Occupational Safety and Health Reform Act which will provide coverage for public employees, mandatory joint labor-management health and safety committees, written health and safety programs, an enhanced right to refuse hazardous work and faster standard making has been introduced into Congress.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME continue to provide technical assistance, training and education materials on health and safety, and hold local, regional and national conferences as appropriate; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME councils and locals should continually educate their members on health and safety hazards and solutions and commit adequate staff support to resolving health and safety problems; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME councils and locals are urged to establish strong health and safety committees and actively seek to introduce language into contracts and/ or legislation specifying the employer's obligation to provide a workplace free from recognized or suspected hazards, the right of employees to refuse hazardous work, and management's obligation to abide by all OSHA standards and regulations; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME directly or through Congressional mandate, urge OSHA or EPA to issue regulations covering indoor air pollution, asbestos in public and commercial buildings, methylene chloride, tuberculosis and other infectious diseases, confined space entry, pesticides, ergonomics, and video display terminals; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME urge OSHA on the federal and state levels to address the issue of violence as a workplace hazard, and issue standards to protect employees from violence in the workplace; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME observe every April 28 as Workers Memorial Day and work with other unions to make the day a major event to remind the American public of the toll of workplace injuries, illnesses and death and that AFSCME courage such activities as rallies, wearing black armbands, dedicating memorials, and moments of silence to commemorate our injured and killed hors and sisters; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

That AFSCME strongly support passage of the Comprehensive Occupational Safety and Health Reform Act.

SUBMITTED BY:

Virginia Diogo, President and Delegate
Bob Hood, Secretary and Delegate
George Popyack, IVP and Delegate
AFSCME Council 57
California

Kenneth A. King, President
Nancy Egger, Secretary-Treasurer
AFSCME Local 1050, Council 85
Pennsylvania

Amos Sharpe, Delegate
AFSCME Local 2091, Council 20
District of Columbia