WHEREAS:

            The Congress of the United States has taken a position of reducing the size of the military and the budget of the National Guard which employs state workers; and

WHEREAS:

            Public employees working for the National Guard have been laid off recently due to budget cuts in the National Guard; and

WHEREAS:

            Future layoffs of public employees represented by AFSCME will occur under the current National Guard budget; and

WHEREAS:

            It is the state's responsibility for the maintenance and security of National Guard bases and armories; and

WHEREAS:

            Once the National Guard budget appropriation from Congress is sent to the National Guard Bureau, the National Guard Bureau in the states decide how much money each states will receive for the maintenance and security of National Guard bases and armories often without regard to the state's need; and

WHEREAS:

            These decisions affect the job security of public employees represented by AFSCME.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

            That AFSCME actively seek legislation to make the budget appropriation for the maintenance and security of National Guard bases and armories directly to each state; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

            That AFSCME go on record opposing any future cuts in the budget for the National Guard that would cause the layoff of public employees; and

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

            That AFSCME actively lobby the Congress to restore monies to the budget of the National Guard for full funding of public employees positions for the maintenance and security of National Guard bases and armories.

SUBMITTED BY:

Sandra Curtis, President and Delegate
Ruth Ann Plant, Secretary 
AFSCME Local 2829, Council 6
Minnesota