WHEREAS:

Private sector workers in nearly half of the United States are prevented by law or state constitution from negotiating union shop or agency shop clauses in their union contract by so-called "right-to-work" laws; and

WHEREAS:

Similar restrictions apply to some or all public employees in 32 states; and

WHEREAS:

The corporate-GOP-right-wing movement for a "union-free environment" has a wide ranging program to impose limitations on labor unions, through right-to-work laws, laws prohibiting public employee collective bargaining, rulings of the NLRB favoring employers, and Conservation Court decisions such as the Hudson and Lenhert decisions, which restrict the ability to obtain full agency shops or fair share agreements; and

WHEREAS:

The AFL-CIO, through its Committee on Restrictive Legislation on which President McEntee sits, is developing a comprehensive strategy to expand union rights.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME continue to take the lead in pushing for the enactment of public employee collective bargaining legislation which would include union security provisions; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME fully support pending legislative efforts such as the proposal to legalize agency shop in Louisiana, public collective bargaining bills now pending in a number of states, and proposals to extend agency shop to municipal governments in New York and Pennsylvania; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

That the Departments of Field Services and Collective Bargaining assist affiliates in right-to-work states to develop long-range strategies to repeal right-to-work laws.

SUBMITTED BY:

RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE