WHEREAS:

AFSCME has long supported protecting our environment, as expressed in convention resolutions from at least 1970 on; and

WHEREAS:
Tens of thousands of AFSCME members support the environment and sustainable communities through their jobs and as activists; and

WHEREAS:
Climate change threatens to impose significant demands for additional infrastructure maintenance and replacement that would create severe pressure on state and local government budgets; and

WHEREAS:
Delegates to AFSCME’s 2008 convention passed Resolution 46, Global Warming and Green Jobs, that acknowledges the problem of climate change and the importance of green technology and energy conservation in creating good jobs that will build a sustainable economy; and

WHEREAS:
The resolution directed AFSCME to create a “Green Ribbon Committee” to study how AFSCME can best assist in the fight against climate change; and

WHEREAS:
The Green Ribbon Committee has produced a report that outlines opportunities for AFSCME on sustainability and climate change, makes recommendations for further action, and includes an online toolkit for members entitled “AFSCME Green”; and 

WHEREAS:
AFSCME affiliates and members can use the AFSCME Green toolkit to promote sustainable practices in their union, their workplaces, their communities and their homes; and

WHEREAS:
The AFSCME Green toolkit includes recommendations on internal union practices and workplace initiatives that can protect the environment and workers’ health while saving money.  It includes recommendations on efforts affiliates can make to ensure that green jobs are good, public sector union jobs.  It includes sources of green funding and green job training and information on “green bargaining” contract language, “green politics” and other ways in which AFSCME members as community activists can promote sustainable communities; and

WHEREAS:
Public sector efforts to address climate change and adopt sustainable practices are in the earliest stages of development, with many critical decisions yet to be made.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
That AFSCME commit itself to sustainable practices and policies that use resources in a way that enables both current and future generations to meet their environmental, economic and community needs; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That, as the leading voice of public service workers, AFSCME and its affiliates work to make sure our voices are heard as sustainability policies are developed at the national, state, and local levels; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: 
That AFSCME and its affiliates publicize the AFSCME Green toolkit, available at www.afscme.org/green and endorse and implement its suggestions in internal operations, employer relations and community activities; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That AFSCME create an online Sustainability Network open to all members which will focus on identifying ways that AFSCME can support sustainability in our union, our workplaces, and in our communities; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That AFSCME provide support and technical assistance to affiliates that sponsor activities and events to promote sustainability within the union; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That AFSCME and affiliates form alliances with other organizations that share our vision that green jobs should be good union jobs, and our belief in the importance of the public sector in achieving green goals; and
 
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That AFSCME develop and pursue a workforce development strategy to bring new green jobs into the public service and to assist our members in adapting to changes in existing jobs as their functions change in response to climate change and sustainability policies; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That AFSCME will advance and vigorously support federal legislation consistent with the goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and  mitigating the impact on public budgets, promoting sustainability, creating good union green jobs and providing funding for such efforts; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That affiliates will advance and vigorously support such efforts at the state and local level; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:
That with a strong public service and a strong labor movement we can protect our future, including our environment and our livelihoods.
 
 
SUBMITTED BY: 
INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE BOARD