WHEREAS:

AFSCME members have long worked side-by-side with volunteers in the public service and the non-profit sector, in a climate of mutual cooperation and respect. Volunteers have most often been used in elementary schools and libraries, and in hospitals, nursing homes, and social and community agencies; and

WHEREAS:

Federal cuts have caused severe financial strain on the budgets of state and local governments, as well as non-profit organizations and agencies. Layoffs of public and non-profit employees have resulted from these budget cuts. In the face of the layoffs, state and local governments and non-profit organizations and agencies have increased their efforts to recruit volunteers. Volunteers are being asked to perform work previously done by public and non-profit employees; and

WHEREAS:

Volunteers do not possess the skills, training, and experience required of workers, and unpaid volunteers cannot be held accountable for the services they perform. The integrity of public and non-profit programs mandates that volunteers not be substituted for regular employees.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME will resist attempts to replace public and non-profit employees with unpaid volunteers. Volunteer recruitment in state and local governments as well as non-profit agencies and organizations must be closely monitored to ensure that the quality and integrity of public programs are maintained; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME negotiators strive for contract language that specifies the terms and conditions of the use of volunteers and that existing contractual protections be strictly enforced to prevent the substitution of volunteers for regular workers.

SUBMITTED BY:

Larry Pinto, President & Delegate
Jason Kanter, Vice President & Delegate
Local 215, Council 1707
New York, New York