WHEREAS:

Twelve million disabled persons are currently employed from an estimated population of 36 million disabled Americans; and

WHEREAS:

Disabled persons are often victims of work discrimination in pay, promotion, job advancement, transfers and benefits as well as victims of discrimination in transportation, housing, public services and education; and

WHEREAS:

Despite widespread support, the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1986 continues to be bottled up in Congress by a small group of legislators concerned about irrelevant issues; and

WHEREAS:

While evidence of billions of dollars of waste in the military and NASA continues to mount, millions of dollars are cut from the disability programs that disabled persons need to survive; and

WHEREAS:

Many collective bargaining agreements do not include provisions which prohibit employment discrimination against disabled employees or language requiring the employer to provide reasonable accommodations, retention and retraining of disabled employees.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME will work strenuously to see that the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1986 is passed by Congress and signed by the President; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME will continue to oppose budget cuts in programs which provide funding and assistance for disabled persons; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME will continue to oppose the removal of federal or state disability benefits from any disabled person who is deserving of such benefits; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME and its affiliate councils and local unions support training of staff, shop stewards, and other union representatives on programs affecting disabled persons which will help them to enforce existing laws and contract provisions, and protect and expand existing rights of disabled members; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME and its affiliate councils and local unions will support specific contract provisions that protect the employment, retraining, retention and promotion rights of AFSCME's disabled members; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME and its affiliate councils and locals strive to make union meetings, activities and publications accessible to disabled members; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

That the AFSCME Advisory Committee on the Rights of the Disabled continue to meet to address the issues facing AFSCME's disabled members.

SUBMITTED BY:

Geri Ruth, Delegate
Local 1549, Council 37
New York, New York