WHEREAS:

Government at all levels continues to experiment aggressively with the provision of public services through for-profit contractors and non-profit agencies; and

WHEREAS:

            These experiments are often undertaken as cost-saving and union-busting measures at the expense of hard-won negotiated wage and benefit levels, resulting in the creation of more low-wage jobs; and

WHEREAS:

            Public service jobs which are privatized too often lose the compensation levels and job security provided in the public sector under an AFSCME contract; and

WHEREAS:

            Adequate compensation, job security and Union security go hand-in-hand; and

WHEREAS:

            The cumulative effect of privatizing public services has been the erosion of union density and good paying jobs;and

WHEREAS:

            AFSCME has a responsibility to ensure that workers performing such public functions are treated and compensated fairly and have the opportunity for union representation if it is to continue as a powerful force for the good of all its members.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

            That AFSCME asserts to all employers and other unions its jurisdiction over public service work, whether it be in the public or private sector; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

            That AFSCME will continue to support the efforts of its affiliates to retain and/or regain jurisdiction over public service work with all the means at its disposal; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

            That AFSCME will seek legislation at the federal, state, and local government levels which prohibits private employers who receive government grants or payments from expending any money to influence an attempt by their employees to seek union representation; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

    That the International Union encourages its subordinate bodies and the AFL-CIO and its affiliates to refrain from making donations to any organization, agency, other entity which does not subscribe to the principle that its workers have the right to organize without employer interference; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

            That organizing public service workers in the private sector to bring them wage, benefit and job security parity is a top priority of this Union.

SUBMITTED BY:      

Henry Bayer, Executive Director and Delegate
AFSCME Council 31
Illinois

Kenneth Brick
Vice President and Delegate
AFSCME Local 215, Council 1707
New York