WHEREAS:

The on-demand economy includes a small but growing number of workers in a variety of industries, from transportation to hospitality. This development has contributed to ongoing wage stagnation and the upward redistribution of income in this country; and

WHEREAS:

Corporations in the on-demand economy ignore their responsibilities as employers by misclassifying employees as "independent contractors." As a result, on-demand workers are often unprotected by labor laws including the right to collective bargaining, minimum wage, overtime, unemployment insurance, workers' compensation, and family and medical leave; and

WHEREAS:

State and local government revenues depend heavily on certain taxes—such as those levied on hotels or taxis—that fail to capture profits generated in the on-demand economy.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME supports efforts to use technology to empower, not weaken workers and ensure that all workers share in the benefits generated through technological advances; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME will, in partnership with coalition allies, work to secure a common set of ground rules for corporate accountability, regardless of where or how people work; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME will, in partnership with coalition allies, work to safeguard the traditional employment relationship between employers and employees while ensuring all labor rights and protections are guaranteed; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

AFSCME supports stricter enforcement of labor laws and protections at the federal, state and local level.

SUBMITTED BY: Chris Dugovich, President and Delegate

Ron Fredin, Vice President and Delegate

Kathleen Etheredge, Secretary-Treasurer and Delegate

AFSCME Council 2

Washington