WHEREAS:

One of the greatest dangers facing AFSCME members involves responding to emergency situations where unidentified hazardous materials are present; and

WHEREAS:

A safe and effective response to emergency situations depends upon access to accurate information regarding hazardous materials; and

WHEREAS:

Over 500,000 shipments of hazardous materials and waste travel over America's highways, railroads, waterways, and airlines every day; and

WHEREAS:

There currently is no adequate system for identifying hazardous materials that are in transit; and

WHEREAS:

Over 1.5 billion tons of hazardous materials are transported each year while information regarding the content of these shipments is not readily available to emergency response personnel; and

WHEREAS:

Advances in computer and telecommunications technologies have made it possible to track hazardous materials in transit so that emergency responders can better deal with hazardous material incidents; and

WHEREAS:

Legislation was introduced in the 103rd Congress (H.R. 2178) which would have established a hazardous material transportation information program providing an automated information system to track hazardous cargo but failed to become law.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME International goes on record as urging the enactment of new legislation in the 104th Congress which would establish such a program.

SUBMITTED BY:

Gary Waterhouse, President and Delegate
Curtis Searle, Secretary
AFSCME Council 15
Connecticut