WHEREAS:

            In America, some states, such as New York, Connecticut, Hawaii, Rhode Island, and New Jersey, have a high density of law enforcement union representation; and

WHEREAS:

            In contrast, some states have weak levels of law enforcement union representation, such as South Carolina, Mississippi, Georgia, and Arkansas; and

WHEREAS:

            Recognizing that the number of unorganized law enforcement workers in the United States is extremely high and that AFSCME’s strength is greatly based on membership and participation of that membership; and

WHEREAS:

            Law enforcement workers in federal, state, county, and municipal service have a right to organize and should be offered the benefits our organized brothers and sisters enjoy; and

WHEREAS:

            Average starting salaries for sworn officers are 38 percent higher in departments with collective bargaining than in those without it; and average starting salaries for entry-level deputies are 25 percent higher in sheriffs’ offices with collective bargaining than in those without it; and

WHEREAS:

            AFSCME Council 82, the New York State Law Enforcement Officers Union, pledges to fully support all organizing campaigns initiated by AFSCME International.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

            That AFSCME International, its locals and councils make every effort to organize law enforcement workers and affiliate currently unaffiliated law enforcement bargaining units; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

            That AFSCME local union leaders will coordinate with their councils and assist with the targeting of independent units, promote and provide VMOs, and lobby for local, county, and state laws to provide collective bargaining rights for law enforcement officers where they don’t exist; and

            That AFSCME International will assist with the training and education of local and council organizers about the needs and laws pertaining to law enforcement workers.