WHEREAS:

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

WHEREAS:

It is estimated that hundreds of public employees are killed in workplace accidents each year and one-half million workers suffer 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 occupation-related illnesses; and

WHEREAS:

Twenty-seven years have elapsed since passage of the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act, but the terrible toll of workplace injuries, illnesses and fatalities remains inexcusably high; and

WHEREAS:

Almost eight million public employees in 27 states are not covered by federally approved OSHA plans, 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:

Whatever legal or contractual coverage AFSCME members enjoy, the most important factor affecting workplace safety is how effectively we organize in our workplaces and how strongly we stand up for our rights and make our collective voices heard; and

WHEREAS:

Right-wing radicals in Congress are attempting to weaken workplace safeguards through legislation, budget cuts, riders that would weaken OSHA, as well as regulatory "reform" legislation; 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 materials.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME continue to provide technical assistance, training and education materials on health and safety, and that AFSCME shall continue to organize local, regional, or national training conferences for the purpose of educating members about how to address safety and health problems in the workplace, and promote public awareness; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME councils and locals should educate their members on health and safety hazards and solutions and commit resources 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 urge OSHA and/or EPA to issue regulations covering indoor air pollution, asbestos in public and commercial buildings, methylene chloride, tuberculosis and other infectious diseases, pesticides, and ergonomics; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME work with other labor organizations, health and safety reform groups and environmental organizations to fight against environmental and workplace health and safety hazards in the community; 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. AFSCME should encourage such activities as rallies, wearing black arm bands, dedicating memorials, and moments of silence to commemorate our injured and killed sisters and brothers; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

That AFSCME strongly fight attempts to use the budget process, OSHA reform legislation, and regulatory reform legislation to weaken workplace safety and health protections.

SUBMITTED BY:

Jan Corderman, President and Delegate
Cheryl Hannah, Secretary-Treasurer and Delegate
AFSCME Council 61
Iowa

 

Tom Hockensmith, Delegate
AFSCME Local 2997, Council 61
Iowa