WHEREAS:

The Mercedes Benz corporation plans to open an auto plant in Alabama in late 1995 or early 1996; and

WHEREAS:

The plant will hire 1500 southern workers; and

WHEREAS:

The State of Alabama has passed an industrial development authorization that would allow Mercedes Benz to withhold 5% of the wages of these workers as an incentive; and

WHEREAS:

This 5% "incentive" afforded this corporation will be put into a fund to finance the new construction of their plant, land purchases, sewage, water and other infrastructure costs; and

WHEREAS:

Southern workers are the lowest paid workers due to the effect of right to work state laws and low levels of union organizing in this southern region; and

WHEREAS:

This legislation was passed in the Alabama State Legislature without the benefit of public hearings or proper notice procedures; and

WHEREAS:

This type of "incentive" to corporations has resulted in a Georgia based textile mill moving from the State of Georgia to Alabama to benefit from this "incentive". The work force of this Georgia plant was reduced from 100 to 20 creating a loss of 80 jobs.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME establish contact with labor and community organizations that oppose this type of "incentive" to corporations that exploit southern labor, and work with these groups to combat this type of legislative initiative.

SUBMITTED BY:

Brenda Stokely, President and Delegate
Local 215, Council 1707
New York