WHEREAS:
Fifty-six years after passage of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, more than 3.9 million workplace injuries and 5,000 deaths occur annually due to hazardous working conditions; and
WHEREAS:
More than 8 million state and local government employees in 23 states and the District of Columbia are not covered by OSHA, exposing these workers, many of them AFSCME members, to unregulated workplace hazards leading to injury, illness and death; and
WHEREAS:
The Protecting America’s Workers Act (PAWA), H. R. 3036, would extend OSHA protections to all public employees, but PAWA has not yet passed Congress; and
WHEREAS:
Under the Trump administration, OSHA has issued a series of deregulatory proposals limiting workers’ access to hazard information, safety training, protective equipment, OSHA General Duty Clause coverage and whistleblower protections. These proposals would increase occupational injuries, illnesses and death; and
WHEREAS:
OSHA initiatives to protect workers from heat injury and workplace violence have stalled as Trump’s Department of Labor has consistently chosen to prioritize employer cost-cutting, discernment and flexibility over human safety; and
WHEREAS:
The Environmental Protection Agency has issued deregulation proposals weakening the Toxic Substance Control Act, that would erode protections for workers handling carcinogenic and toxic products and limit access to information about hazardous chemical releases for workers, emergency responders and communities; and
WHEREAS:
Strong safety and health contract bargaining language can secure effective safety education, training, protective equipment, staffing and work practices to address hazards that are not adequately covered by federal, state or local standards.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
That AFSCME will advocate for passage of the Protecting America’s Workers Act, which would extend OSHA coverage to all public employees, protect workplace safety whistleblowers and enforce strict penalties on employers who endanger their workers by violating occupational safety regulations; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That AFSCME will advocate for strengthening existing state safety and health plans and for establishing new state plans in states where public workers are not yet covered by OSHA protection; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That AFSCME will push for passage of new state legislation to counteract harmful safety deregulation efforts and fill the void where federal or state regulations have left workers unprotected from workplace hazards, including heat exposure and workplace violence; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:
That the International Union will support affiliates with safety and health technical assistance, research, education and training, analysis and advocacy to promote strong contracts, effective legislation and expanded workplace safety protections for our members.
SUBMITTED BY:
Rayneika Robinson, President and Delegate
AFSCME Local 3661, Council 3
Maryland