WHEREAS:

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has been without a full complement of board members for long enough; and

WHEREAS:

The NLRB is in jeopardy of losing a quorum on August 26, 2013, if additional Board members are not confirmed by the U.S. Senate before then; and

WHEREAS:

Due to abuse of filibuster rules by the minority, the U.S. Senate has been unable to confirm any of President Obama’s nominations to the NLRB, for Secretary of Labor, to the Environmental Protection Agency, to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals and other key positions; and

WHEREAS:

Various progressive senators have proposed amendments to the filibuster rules as they relate to the nomination confirmation process; and

WHEREAS:

These proposed amendments still protect the voice and rights of the minority party; and

WHEREAS:

The proposed amendments are reasonable, necessary and urgent.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME International support the proposed amendments to the filibuster rules regarding presidential nominations; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME International continue to urge the U.S. Senate to adopt such amendments; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME International strongly urge the AFL-CIO and its affiliates to also support the amendments with both their words and their deeds; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That all AFSCME affiliates write letters to their respective state’s senators in support of said amendments; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

That AFSCME International contact Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to support said amendments.