WHEREAS:

Through the efforts of unions and the generosity of union members, the United Way gains a substantial portion of its income; and

WHEREAS:

Through United Way funding, thousands of social services agencies gain a portion of their income; and

WHEREAS:

Many of these agencies pay wages and benefits substantially lower than the compensation paid to employees in the public sector; and

WHEREAS:

Their inadequate compensation does not afford these workers a decent standard of living and is a threat to the economic well-being of their unionized counterparts; and

WHEREAS:

The employees of many of these agencies desire to organize for collective bargaining purposes; and

WHEREAS:

Many social service agencies oppose the efforts of their employees when they do attempt to organize.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME calls upon all United Way chapters to adopt a policy of withholding funding to any social service agency which does not remain neutral if its employees attempt to unionize; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME and all AFSCME affiliates will withhold any financial contribution, direct or indirect, to any United Way chapter or social service agency opposing union organizing efforts or adopting unreasonable bargaining positions; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME notify the AFL-CIO of any such anti-union activity asking that it take action, such as informing its affiliates of such activity; encouraging its affiliates to likewise inform their members; and withholding support by publicizing a boycott list of United Way chapters which refuse to withhold money from social service agencies opposing organizing efforts and/or adopting unreasonable bargaining positions, and of those social service agencies; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That if these tactics are not effective in persuading the United Way to fund only agencies that respect the right of workers to organize and bargain collectively, AFSCME call upon the AFL-CIO to explore the creation of an alternative labor-based charitable organization that will respect that right; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME send a copy of this resolution to the AFL-CIO and the United Way; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

That AFSCME hereby commits itself to enhancing the economic well-being of employees of social service agencies whose needs have too often been neglected.

SUBMITTED BY:

Henry Bayer, Executive Director and Delegate
AFSCME Council 31
Illinois