WHEREAS:

Close to 10 million Americans are infected with the bacteria that causes tuberculosis (TB). The number of reported cases of TB in the United States has risen 15.8 percent since 1985 and last year nearly 26,000 active cases of TB were reported nationwide. In New York City, 3,520 new cases of active TB were reported in 1990; and

WHEREAS:

There is a general lack of training and knowledge in all areas relating to TB, including how tuberculosis is transmitted, how to protect oneself from exposure, the difference between infection and active disease, the symptoms of TB, and what constitutes high risk; and

WHEREAS:

The groups at highest risk of occupational exposure to tuberculosis are health care workers, corrections officers and shelter workers. In New York City 15-25 percent of the inmates tested positive for tuberculosis infection; 6 percent of the employees of the New York state prison system tested positive; and

WHEREAS:

Although the basic knowledge and technology necessary for minimizing workplace transmission of tuberculosis is available, there are no government regulations that will protect members against TB in the workplace; and

WHEREAS:

New strains of tuberculosis are resistant to standard drug therapy, resulting in untreatable and often fatal cases of tuberculosis. At least 19 health care workers have developed drug-resistant TB on the job and six of them have died. An AFSCME member in New York died of drug-resistant tuberculosis that he acquired while guarding hospitalized inmates; and

WHEREAS:

Many AFSCME members have tested positive for tuberculosis infection that was acquired on the job; and

WHEREAS:

The federal and state governments have neglected adequate funding for TB control for decades and considerable research remains to be done on how to protect workers from contracting TB in the workplace.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME councils and locals representing workers in occupations where there is a risk of exposure to tuberculosis demand employers to educate their members on the health effects, modes of transmission and symptoms associated with tuberculosis infection and disease; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME pursue regulatory and legislative action to force effective tuberculosis infection control in occupational settings; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME councils and locals are urged to negotiate contract language that protects tuberculosis-infected employees from discrimination and restrictions; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME insist that federal, state and local governments increase funding for tuberculosis control programs; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME assist locals in establishing employer-paid tuberculosis screening to identify members with tuberculosis infection and active disease, and That AFSCME will provide technical assistance to councils and locals that are assisting members with tuberculosis-related workers' compensation claims; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

That AFSCME councils and locals negotiate contract language, contact elected officials, seek local legislation and use all appropriate means to compel health care facilities, correctional institutions and other high risk settings to install effective engineering controls, isolation rooms, and proper ventilation systems to prevent the transmission of tuberculosis to members.

SUBMITTED BY:

James Butler, President
Louise DeBow, Recording Secretary
AFSCME Local 420, Council 37
New York, New York