WHEREAS:
The federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program requires that increasing percentages of welfare recipients engage in work activities for increasing numbers of hours per week, and it prohibits education and training activities from counting towards meeting work requirements in most instances; and
WHEREAS:
TANF substantially weakened the displacement protections for the current work force; and
WHEREAS:
TANF stripped out employment protections for welfare-to-work participants, including the right to receive at least the minimum wage for work performed, health and safety protections, workers’ compensation coverage, and the right to be free from employment discrimination; and
WHEREAS:
The federal welfare reform law no longer guarantees, and in some instances prohibits, legal immigrants from eligibility to receive a range of benefits including TANF, food stamps, and Medicaid; and
WHEREAS:
TANF eliminated a poor family’s entitlement to receive cash aid even if financially qualified; and
WHEREAS:
TANF eliminated an entitlement to child care assistance for recipients who are required to engage in work or other activities in order to receive benefits; and
WHEREAS:
TANF instituted a maximum 60 month lifetime time limit on receiving benefits but required no minimum benefits receipt period.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
That AFSCME will advocate at the state and county levels to set realistic work participation requirements that do not exceed those required by federal law; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That AFSCME will advocate at the state level to strengthen displacement protections for current employees by prohibiting employers from cutting back the work hours and wages of current workers and ensuring that unfilled vacant positions cannot be converted into "workfare" slots for welfare recipients; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That AFSCME will advocate to retain or expand employment protections for welfare-to-work participants under state laws, including coverage by minimum wage statutes, health and safety protections, workers’ compensation coverage, the right to be free from employment discrimination, and the right to organize into public sector unions; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That AFSCME will advocate at the state level to retain or expand legal immigrants’ eligibility for safety net programs, including TANF, food stamps, and Medicaid, using state funds where federal prohibitions exist; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:
That AFSCME will advocate at the state level to reinstitute entitlements to cash assistance and subsidized child care; to maximize TANF time limits; and to expand education and training opportunities for welfare recipients.
SUBMITTED BY:
Alicia Duran, President and Delegate
AFSCME Local 2808, Council 31
Illinois