WHEREAS:

Violence in the workplace has become an epidemic. Workplace violence is on the rise in all sectors including mental health, public safety and social services; and

WHEREAS:

Workplace violence continues to be a leading cause of job fatalities in the United States, responsible for 749 deaths (16 percent of all workplace deaths) and approximately 26,000 injuries in 2014; and

WHEREAS:

Female workers suffered 70 percent of injuries related to workplace violence during 2014; and

WHEREAS:

There is no Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standard that specifically addresses workplace violence; and

WHEREAS:

Most workplace violence incidents are predictable and preventable.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That no worker should have to accept physical, emotional and verbal assaults as a part of their job; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME at all levels will support education and training programs to prevent workplace violence and affiliates are encouraged to include effective mechanisms for dealing with workplace violence in collective bargaining agreements; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

That AFSCME will support workplace violence prevention legislation at the state and federal levels and will urge OSHA to create an enforceable workplace violence prevention standard and expand its current National Emphasis Program on heightened inspections to all workplaces.

SUBMITTED BY: Judy Wahlberg, President and Delegate

Michael Lindholt, Vice President and Delegate

Mary Falk, Secretary and Delegate

Nickson Nyankabaria, Treasurer and Delegate

AFSCME Council 5

Minnesota