WHEREAS:

The easing of Cold War tensions opens new opportunities for achieving significant reductions in the military budget; and

WHEREAS:

Such a reduction in defense spending is reasonable policy which will not jeopardize our national security; and

WHEREAS:

There is an urgent need to invest in human and physical infrastructure to rebuild our communities and states, strengthen our national economy, and to make us more competitive internationally; and

WHEREAS:

Our nation must make needed improvements and investments in education, health care and other urgent social needs.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

Jobs protection and creation should be a major national goal; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME urges the Congress to reduce defense spending by 10 percent over each of the next five years, producing a 50 percent cut in military expenditures; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME believes that our nation's budget policies must be changed to allow such defense savings to be used for unmet domestic needs including rebuilding human, social and physical infrastructure, revitalizing our cities, and promoting jobs creation; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

That AFSCME urge the Congress to include in any defense reduction plan a comprehensive plan for economic conversion which provides job training, retraining, placement and assistance including adequate funding and adequate health insurance for any displaced military or civilian defense workers, including civilian national guard employees.

SUBMITTED BY:

INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE BOARD

Mary Benner, President and Delegate
AFSCME Local 2829, Council 6
Minnesota

Louis G. Albano, President and Delegate
Brad Smith, 1st Vice President and Delegate
AFSCME Local 375, Council 37
New York