WHEREAS:

An irrational patchwork of state laws, local ordinances, and executive orders characterize public sector labor relations in 1990, with no equitable and uniform standards; and

WHEREAS:

Over three million federal employees are denied the legal right to bargain collectively over salaries and other economic conditions; and

WHEREAS:

The basic rights and protections gained by private sector workers under the National Labor Relations Act over fifty-five years ago are still denied to a large number of public employees; and

WHEREAS:

Only 22 states have comprehensive laws mandating broad-scope collective bargaining on wages, hours, and conditions of employment for state and local government employees. State legislation in 15 states covers only certain public workers, such as local government employees only, or educational employees only, or police and fire only. There is no state legislation for any bargaining whatsoever in 13 states; and

WHEREAS:

The constitutional basis for the enactment of federal legislation for state and local employees has been firmly established by U.S. Supreme Court; and

WHEREAS:

Federal collective bargaining legislation for state and local government employees would afford these employees the basic right to organize to engage in collective bargaining already enjoyed by private sector workers.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME reaffirm its support for enactment of federal legislation to establish a rational framework extending full collective bargaining rights to all state and local government employees not currently afforded these full rights; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That until such federal legislation is enacted, AFSCME will continue to work to achieve legislation giving public sector workers full rights and protections to organize and bargain collectively in individual state and local jurisdictions; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

That AFSCME reaffirm its support for enactment of federal legislation to extend the right to bargain collectively over salaries and other economic conditions of employment to federal employees.

SUBMITTED BY:

Virginia S. Dolly, President
Mary Stackey, Secretary
AFSCME Council 81
Delaware