WHEREAS:
The numbers of emergency medical service calls for assistance in the United States of America are continually growing, and the numbers of alarms of fire are decreasing; and
WHEREAS:
Fire departments nationwide are finding it increasingly necessary to justify their budgets, especially the monies spent on personnel; and
WHEREAS:
Fire departments are aggressively searching for other tasks for their personnel to undertake, including in many cases EMS duties; and
WHEREAS:
It is improper under the Constitution of the AFL-CIO for one member union to take the work belonging to workers in another member union; and
WHEREAS:
In many cities and towns across the United States, member unions of the International Association of Fire Fighters, AFL-CIO, have either sought to take the jobs of organized union EMS workers or have sought to win representation rights for these workers, some examples of the latter being the United Paramedics of Los Angeles, the Cleveland Association of Rescue Employees; and
WHEREAS:
These attempts to raid organized EMS unions are generally met with bitter opposition by those unions; and
WHEREAS:
This program of action has been actively endorsed and supported by the International Association of Fire Fighters.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
That the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, assembled at its 31st International Convention, calls upon the I.A.F.F. and its President, Alfred Whitehead, to cease from all attempts at encouraging member I.A.F.F. locals from raiding organized EMS unions; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees calls upon the American Federation of Labor - Congress of Industrial Organizations to make the same request of the I.A.F.F. under all pertinent rules and regulations of the AFL-CIO.
SUBMITTED BY:
Richard Fox, Recording Secretary and Delegate
AFSCME Local 250 7, Council 37
New York