WHEREAS:

The lack of access by growing numbers of Americans to post-secondary education severely limits democratic participation in the economic and political processes of the United States and results in a tragic loss of diverse human potential; and

WHEREAS:

Funding for higher education has been frozen or cut by many states facing budget shortages. Higher education funding shortages lead to cutbacks in services, deferred maintenance and tuition increases that place a college education out of reach for many working families. These funding shortages also put pressure on college campus workers' wages and benefits and increase the calls for privatization of campus services and increases in the number of temporary and contingent workers; and

WHEREAS:

Many workers on college campuses, public and private, face the problems of low wages, inadequate health insurance, nonexistent pensions and a lack of job security because they work as temporary or contingent employees, or for private contractors; and

WHEREAS:

AFSCME has addressed these same problems through collective bargaining for thousands of employees at over 225 colleges and universities throughout the nation. Over 4,000 Maryland college and university employees on eleven campuses have became AFSCME members in 2001. A successful internal organizing campaign for over 15,000 workers at the University of California resulted in a revitalized union and an excellent contract.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME will continue to commit resources to organizing the unorganized employees of public and private colleges and universities throughout the nation; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME continue to fight at the bargaining table for improved working conditions for higher education employees; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME will work on the federal and state level to secure adequate funding for higher education and to make a college education affordable for all working families; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME will call on state legislatures to set a goal of returning to the right of all Americans to have access to a free public higher education system; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

That AFSCME declares a national crusade against the scandal of poverty wages in the midst of richly endowed universities and colleges. AFSCME welcomes the support of faculty, students, alumni, and community and religious allies in the fight to achieve a living wage for every higher education worker.

SUBMITTED BY:

Sally Davies, President and Delegate
Royce Treadaway, Secretary and Delegate
AFSCME Council 92
Maryland

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