WHEREAS:

Union density has declined from 32.5 percent of the workforce in 1953 to just 9 percent in the private sector, though in the public sector 41.5 percent are organized; and

WHEREAS:

The AFL-CIO and all its affiliates have made a firm commitment to organizing unorganized workers throughout this country; and

WHEREAS:

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees has correctly oriented our entire organization towards organizing unorganized workers; and

WHEREAS:

This commitment has resulted in successful AFSCME campaigns sweeping across this country and including Puerto Rico; and

WHEREAS:

These successful campaigns have resulted in a rapid increase in the size of our AFSCME family; the increase in our prestige and our political power as a union; and

WHEREAS:

Despite these success stories, there are also newly organized workers who have become extremely frustrated because their employer has used every unfair labor tactic to prevent a first contract; and

WHEREAS:

Many of the newly organized workers have waited several years before achieving a first contract and then that contract is often filled with language to undermine the victory of workers' right to organize and bargain for just terms and conditions of employment; and

WHEREAS:

Many employers have used this gap between winning union recognition and workers' first contracts to engage in employer-sponsored decertification campaigns; and

WHEREAS:

An enormous amount of affiliates' monies are being used to fight these employers' unfair labor practices and to counter their attacks on the affiliate itself; and many affiliates feel that they are understaffed to meet these.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME continue to provide resources to its affiliates based on, but not limited to, the following criteria:

1. the number of workers of the targeted workplace and number of sites;
2. the number of needed staff and rank & file volunteer member organizers [who require lost wages];
3. the level of demonstrated commitment of affiliates to organizing based on percentage of budget set aside for organizing and amount of staff time dedicated to organizing;
4. the significance of targets to gaining a substantial density among a specific sector of the workforce;
5. the significance of targeting a particular employer, i.e., one that has several workplaces in a region or across the country; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME provide assistance to those affiliates that have organized workers, but have been unable to secure a first contract. This assistance may include seasoned negotiators, paralegal staff, research staff, organizers, or assistance with lost wages for affiliate rank and file volunteer member organizers and officers who will assist in the internal organizing campaign; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME should participate in Workers' Rights Board Campaigns throughout the country as a means to publicize employer abuses during organizing and negotiation campaigns and to expose those employers who exploit women workers, workers of color, youth and immigrant workers, as well as demonstrate a flagrant disregard for this country's labor laws; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

That AFSCME work jointly with a broad coalition of all labor organizations, faith-based organizations, community organizations and civil rights and human rights organizations that uphold workers' rights to organize, negotiate contracts, job security and a living wage as human rights.

SUBMITTED BY:

Brenda Stokely, President and Delegate
AFSCME Council 1707
New York