WHEREAS:

Over 45,000 persons in the United States — including many AFSCME members — suffer from Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome and up to 2 million may be infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus; and

WHEREAS:

Hospital, mental health and other health care workers, corrections officers, and other AFSCME members come into frequent contact with patients, residents or inmates who may be infected with the HIV virus; and

WHEREAS:

Many hospitals and other institutions where employees have contact with blood or other body fluids do not follow universal blood-borne disease precautions recommended by CDC, do not train employees about AIDS and other infectious diseases, and do not supply equipment necessary to protect employees; and

WHEREAS:

Persons with HIV infections suffer discrimination in the workplace in housing, in health insurance and in other areas; and

WHEREAS:

There are increasing calls for testing of hospital workers, teachers, public employees, and other workers, although no evidence exists that such testing would serve any public health benefit; and

WHEREAS:

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the only government agency which has authority to enforce workplace safety and health, does not have any standards covering infectious diseases.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME urge all employers to educate employees about AIDS, how it is contracted and what can be done to prevent infection in the workplace; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME propose and support contract language, laws and regulations requiring that universal blood-borne disease precautions be followed for all persons or potentially infectious materials, and that employees be trained in such procedures, in identifying symptoms of HIV infection, and, where it is known, that employees be notified when they may be in contact with persons with AIDS, and that pregnant employees be given the option to transfer away from care of patients with AIDS; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That appropriate steps be taken in prisons, mental health institutions and other workplaces where violence or unsanitary conditions may occur, to protect employees, residents, patients and inmates from infection. These steps may include: Training and provision of all necessary protective equipment, testing of residents, patients and inmates, and/or separation of those inmates, patients or residents who test positive; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME strongly oppose any mandatory HIV anti-body screening of employees in the workplace; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME encourage voluntary HIV-antibody testing as long as there is informed consent, confidentiality, protection against discrimination and counseling before and after the test; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

That AFSCME fight discrimination against persons infected with the HIV virus.