WHEREAS:

AFSCME members are on the front lines of the struggle to achieve a clean and healthy environment in their workplaces and in their communities; and

WHEREAS:

AFSCME locals and councils are continually fighting for cleaner air and water, stronger waste disposal standards, sound housing, and safer and healthier working environments; and

WHEREAS:

AFSCME has found that working in coalition with environmental and community groups has been an effective method of gaining stronger environmental policies; and

WHEREAS:

Tougher environmental laws and regulations will require new investments in state and local government infrastructure; and

WHEREAS:

The fight for the environment is international in scope, involving unions around the world; and

WHEREAS:

President Bush has repeatedly obstructed efforts by Congress and the international community to improve environmental protection.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME work to elect politicians who recognize that Americans want a healthy planet not just for us, but for our children, and grandchildren; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME join with allies in the environmental and community organizations to fight at all levels and forums of government and in our workplaces for clean air and water, the safe disposal of wastes, environmentally sound energy and transportation policies, and policies reducing the use of toxic pesticides and other materials; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME demand that the provisions of the Clean Air Act be faithfully carried out as intended by Congress, and that AFSCME support the strengthening of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the Clean Water Act, and other legislation to protect the environment; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME continue to fight for increased federal aid to state and local governments for improvements in public works mandated by federal environmental laws and regulations; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME support increased technical and financial assistance by the United States and international lending organizations to less developed countries for environmental protection and environmentally sound development; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME support legislation to protect the economic security of public and private workers and their communities from any adverse effects of environmental policies; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME continue to support the efforts of Public Services International and public sector unions throughout the world to educate citizens of every nation that a strong independent public sector is necessary to protect our earth's fragile environment against exploitation by private interests; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

That the International Union organize a national meeting on the environment bringing together interested AFSCME members and representatives of environmental, labor, community, and civil rights organizations to discuss the interrelationship of environmental protection, social justice, and economic security.

SUBMITTED BY:

INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE BOARD

Virginia Diogo, President and Delegate
Bob Hood, Secretary and Delegate
George Popyack, IVP and Delegate
Laura Comstock, Delegate
Jack Kenny, Delegate
Jeff Ingraca, Delegate
Walter Yonn, Delegate
AFSCME Local 2428, Council 57
California