WHEREAS:

AFSCME recognizes that employees of public and private institutions of higher education have a fundamental need to organize; and

WHEREAS:

AFSCME further recognizes the diverse problems encountered by the employees of these institutions, including sub-standard wages, benefits and working conditions; and

WHEREAS:

AFSCME has addressed these same problems through collective bargaining for approximately 72,000 employees at over 150 colleges and universities throughout the nation; and

WHEREAS:

AFSCME's commitment to said colleges and universities has had a tremendous impact on alleviating or eliminating many of these problems, and has brought a renewed sense of dignity and respect to the workers at such institutions; and

WHEREAS:

AFSCME has made this same commitment to the clerical and technical workers at Harvard University through an affiliation agreement with the Harvard Union of Clerical and Technical Workers; and

WHEREAS:

The HUCTW/AFSCME organizing drive at Harvard University has been tremendously successful in publicly exposing the anti-union attitudes that exist within the administrations of many public and private colleges and universities; and

WHEREAS:

The HUCTW/AFSCME organizing drive at Harvard University has garnered enormous support from every corner of this nation; and

WHEREAS:

The victory for the approximately 3,700 clerical and technical workers at Harvard has generated new hope for public and private college and university employees everywhere.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME continue to commit the resources of the International Union to organizing the unorganized employees of public and private colleges and universities throughout the nation; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That due to the successful campaign at Harvard University, that AFSCME base future organizing campaigns at colleges and universities on the Harvard model.

SUBMITTED BY:

International Executive Board

Pete Goodman, Vice President and Delegate
AFSCME Local 3238, Council 10
Margy Wilkinson, Executive Board Member
AFSCME Local 3211, Council 10
Dena Kanner, Secretary-Treasurer
AFSCME Local 3235, Council 10
Oakland, California