WHEREAS:

Women make up a significant portion of the American workforce despite the gains made in family leave, pay equity, and child care, most women still remain in lower paid, dead-end jobs; and

WHEREAS:

Women working full-time year-round were paid a median annual income which was only 71% of what men were paid. Women hold only 9% of jobs traditionally held by men and have less opportunity for promotion even when they are in traditionally female occupations; and

WHEREAS:

One-third of the labor movement is now made up of women, women are underrepresented in leadership positions in some traditional labor organizations; and

WHEREAS:

One of the largest groups of unorganized workers are women. The increase of visible women leaders who can be role models will encourage more women to join the union. Women represent 53% of AFSCME's membership and 45% of the local leadership and approximately 16% of the International Executive Board; at AFSCME, seven out of ten newly organized workers are women; and

WHEREAS:

Women represent 53% of voters, women represent only 6% of all members of the U.S. Congress and less than one-fifth of state-wide elected officials and members of state legislatures.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

The present leaders of AFSCME, including President McEntee, Secretary-Treasurer Lucy and all of the International Vice Presidents, continue to encourage women to run for offices in all levels of AFSCME and affiliated labor councils; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That present AFSCME leaders continue their affirmative action policy including appointing, hiring and promoting women; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME continue to work for upward mobility and career opportunity for women in all jobs in the public and private sector; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

AFSCME continue to work for election and appointment of women at the national, state and local levels.

SUBMITTED BY:

Jacquie Jones-Walsh, President
Ruth Skalbania, Recording Secretary
Edie Nelson, Chair Women's Committee
AFSCME Local 843, Council 28
Washington

Human Rights Committee