WHEREAS:
Since the November 2010 election, many governors and state legislatures are rewriting, weakening and even destroying public employee collective bargaining laws; and
WHEREAS:
Legislatures are also attacking independent home care and child care provider rights, and the rights of other workers who provide a public service; and
WHEREAS:
Everyday citizens, student groups, community organizations and others allies are standing with unions to stop these relentless attacks; and
WHEREAS:
The attacks are only possible because of the long-term weakening of private sector unions, which now represent less than seven percent of the workforce; and
WHEREAS:
We can’t just fight to protect public employee rights, we need to fight for the rights of private sector employees who also provide a public service; and
WHEREAS:
In recent years AFSCME has organized emergency medical service (EMS) workers, independent providers and interpreters, all of whom provide a public service to benefit our communities, and deserve to have representation on the job even if they don’t have a traditional public sector employer; and
WHEREAS:
AFSCME is committed to organizing public service workers to ensure that they have a say in their wages, benefits and working conditions and to create a healthy labor movement for all American workers.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
AFSCME will combat any attacks on collective bargaining rights for all workers who provide a public service and will strive to expand those rights; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
AFSCME should develop and strengthen relationships with allies who support organizing public service workers with a focus on building a stronger union to combat the forces that are arrayed against all of us; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:
AFSCME affiliates and the International Union shall commit to organizing unorganized workers, such as EMS workers, independent providers, interpreters and others, who provide a public service, in both the private and public sectors.
SUBMITTED BY:
Glenard Middleton, Executive Director and Delegate
AFSCME Council 67
Maryland