WHEREAS:
Direct care employees working with and caring for the mentally and physically challenged do not get the attention that they should from their localities and from the nation for their hard work and diligence needed to work with this population; and

WHEREAS:
Direct care workers do not have the wages or benefits that sustain retention and careers; and

WHEREAS:
Direct care workers often are neglected by federal, state and city agencies resulting in small wage increases, COLA and trend factors based on Medicaid disbursement; and

WHEREAS:
Direct care workers throughout the nation are predominantly women and are faced with working two jobs or leaving their jobs to support their families.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
That AFSCME continue to organize direct care workers to give them a voice at work and, through political action, lobbying and contract negotiations, work to ensure that these vital jobs are adequately funded and that wages and benefits are commensurate with the true value of this work; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That AFSCME urge that the federal government conduct a national study of the wages and benefits of the direct care workforce to bring long-overdue attention to this situation.

SUBMITTED BY: Carolyn Washington, Vice President and Delegate
AFSCME Local 253, Council 1707
New York