WHEREAS:
AFSCME has long supported the labor movement of farmworkers in the United States and has stood in solidarity with the United Farm Workers (UFW) union; and
WHEREAS:
Past AFSCME resolutions include support for a national holiday honoring the late César E. Chavez for his efforts to found and lead the UFW and as a Mexican American and Latino community leader; and
WHEREAS:
Verified allegations of Chavez’s rape and sexual harassment of women and girls have come to light and include accounts by survivors Ana Murguia, Debra Rojas and fellow UFW leader Dolores Huerta. Many victims remained silent for decades out of fear that telling the truth would harm the union; and
WHEREAS:
These and other survivors are themselves farmworkers, union leaders and their family members. They became active in the farmworker movement to seek dignity and fairness for themselves and to join in solidarity with other working people; Chavez’s abuses instead violated their autonomy and dignity; and
WHEREAS:
Farmworkers experience especially high rates of rape, sexual harassment and intimidation, but these abuses can occur in any workplace or organization, especially when leaders or privileged individuals are shielded from accountability. The message that certain important people will not be held responsible for their actions is heard clearly throughout the organization; and
WHEREAS:
No one person embodies an entire movement, especially a labor movement formed to uphold the rights and dignity of all working people. That includes, at its core, the right to live and work free from the threat of rape, sexual harassment and other abuse.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
AFSCME stands in solidarity with the United Farm Workers union and all farmworkers across the United States, who continue to fight against economic injustice, racial and gender oppression and government harassment while carrying out essential work in service to us all; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
AFSCME stands in support of the survivors of César Chavez’s abuse and all those who experience sexual assault, threats, harassment and coercion. We grieve the harm they have faced, we honor their courage in speaking the truth and we recommit our union to fighting for an end to rape, sexual harassment and other abuse on the job and everywhere; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:
AFSCME withdraws its previous support for the establishment of a national holiday honoring Chavez, whose abuses we denounce. Instead, we call on the federal government and all state governments to institute a national day of recognition for farmworkers, their union — the UFW — and its movement for dignity and justice.
SUBMITTED BY:
International Executive Board