WHEREAS:
Proposed state and federal welfare legislation would eliminate the nation's safety net; and
WHEREAS:
The main purpose of converting welfare programs to block grants is to reduce funds and eliminate the federal government's commitment to poor children and families in this country. Block grants would destroy states' abilities to expand assistance for needy families during economic downturns; and
WHEREAS:
Time limits for benefits fail to address the lack of jobs in high unemployment areas and only serve to reduce the welfare rolls rather than to help families achieve economic independence; and
WHEREAS:
Poor children and their families applying for benefits should have a federal guarantee of benefits and the right to enforce the guarantee. The only way to guarantee that persons applying for federal cash assistance receive fair and equitable treatment is through a universal publicly-administered system; and
WHEREAS:
Social services caseworkers and public assistance employees are on the front lines helping poor children and their families get the assistance for which they qualify. Many are not adequately compensated and work in unsafe conditions; and
WHEREAS:
Caseworkers help families achieve economic independence through increased case management. If caseworkers have excessively high caseloads, they cannot provide needed services; and
WHEREAS:
Welfare legislation should provide a livable income to needy families and adults with incentives to work and assistance in finding jobs.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
That AFSCME supports a continued federal commitment to preserving the nation's safety net and opposes converting welfare programs for poor children and their families to block grants; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That AFSCME rejects time limits for welfare eligibility; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That AFSCME supports administration of federal cash assistance programs through state, county and municipal governments and opposes privatization of welfare program administration; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That poor children and their families in all states should have a right to benefits if they qualify and that these rights should be enforceable in federal courts; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That social services workers deserve adequate wages and benefits, and decent, safe and secure working conditions to provide assistance to program participants; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That in order for caseworkers to help families achieve economic independence, caseworkers must have lower caseloads to carry out their mission; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:
That AFSCME will support and lobby the federal and state governments for welfare reform that either provides jobs which do not displace or otherwise adversely affect the jobs or job rights of union members or guaranteed income to needy families.
SUBMITTED BY:
Flora Walker, President and Delegate
Lawrence A. Roehrig, Secretary-Treasurer
AFSCME Council 25
Michigan