WHEREAS:

The freedom of association is a right guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States; and

WHEREAS:

The National Labor Relations Act grants American workers the right to organize for concerted activity; and

WHEREAS:

Through self-organization and collective bargaining, hundreds of thousands of workers have been able to attain a decent standard of living for themselves and their families; and

WHEREAS:

It is the wish of the U.S. Congress to afford all wage earners the opportunity to attain an adequate standard of living; and

WHEREAS:

Thousands of employers, both profit and non-profit, receive funds appropriated by the Congress of the United States through Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements; and

WHEREAS:

Some employers receiving these funds have engaged in illegal activity and have denied to their employees the rights guaranteed them by federal law; and

WHEREAS:

It is the desire of the U.S. Congress to encourage compliance with the laws of the United States.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME International send the message to the U.S. Congress that the policy of the Department of Health and Human Services is to deny public funds to employers found to have flagrantly violated the rights of their employees pursuant to the National Labor Relations Act or any state or local government collective bargaining laws; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That the U.S. Congress calls upon the Department of Health and Human Services to disallow Medicare and Medicaid disbursements to any entity which has demonstrated a disregard for employees' rights under the law and has been found guilty of same by the National Labor Relations Board or any state or local government collective bargaining board. Such denial of funds shall not exceed three years, provided there are no subsequent violations.

SUBMITTED BY:

Susan Tyma, President and Delegate
Mike Krois-Giocondo, Secretary and Delegate
AFSCME Local 3506, Council 31
Illinois