WHEREAS:

Public and private employers are continuing to use contracting out and outsourcing to eliminate good jobs that pay living wages and benefits to working families; and

WHEREAS:

Advances in technology make it easier to ship out of the country millions of public and service sector jobs ranging from engineering to medical analysis to computer programming to call centers and data entry; and

WHEREAS:

The purchasing power of public tax dollars should be used to strengthen local and state economies; and

WHEREAS:

Inadequate budgetary information on contracts can, in times of fiscal stress, lead to reductions in permanent positions held by experienced and responsible career employees, when the ax should be falling on contractors.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME continue to lead the fight at the federal, state and local level to keep public service jobs in the public sector; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME demand that state and local governments shine the light on contracting by requiring public reporting of the money spent on contracts, including, at a minimum, the contractor's name, services provided and the contract terms; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME support policies to insure that federal, state and local governments' tax dollars and other revenues are used to keep jobs at home by requiring that public services be provided by employees working in the United States; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

That AFSCME oppose and encourage state and local governments to refuse to join international trade agreements that will restrict their ability to use public procurement for economic development and job creation.

SUBMITTED BY:

International Executive Board