WHEREAS:

Delegates to AFSCME's 1998 convention voted to redouble our commitment to fighting privatization on all fronts; and

WHEREAS:

AFSCME has always been the major voice championing quality public services and defending the public against corporate greed. But the nature of privatization has changed in recent years. It is increasingly dominated by national or multinational corporations, driven by politicians they support and advocated by "think tanks" they fund. In addition, along with continuing efforts to privatize services which have long faced that threat, there are new and very serious privatization efforts in services that have not historically been privatized including corrections, social services, education, and wastewater treatment; and

WHEREAS:

Privatization of public services, like outsourcing in the private sector, is often simply an attempt to operate in a low-wage, non-union environment, and

WHEREAS:

Experience with privatization shows that it does not produce promised cost savings, the quality of service can deteriorate, public accountability is compromised, the possibility of corruption increases and government flexibility to respond to changing needs is diminished. Unfortunately, there is a lack of accurate information about privatization in the media, and among decision-makers and the general public; and

WHEREAS:

To respond to these challenges, AFSCME has engaged in a multi-faceted campaign. This includes seizing every opportunity to get the word out about the value of public services and the problems of privatization. AFSCME has produced a leaders' "toolkit," is spreading our message to public officials through their publications and meetings, is cultivating academic research on privatization, and is advocating for state and local legislation that would set public accountability standards; and

WHEREAS:

AFSCME is also aggressively defending the public services that are under attack. This includes activating an "early warning system" to spread the word about important contracts up for bid or renewal, widely publicizing contracting problems, training activists to "inoculate" decision-makers about this issue and building coalitions to carry on the fight.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That, because the best time to fight privatization is before it happens, the International continue to develop, update and widely distribute tools for leaders and activists to use in fighting privatization; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That these tools include providing comprehensive training to activists who in turn commit to utilizing that training to "inoculate" decision-makers, educate the media, build coalitions, train additional members or otherwise engage in this fight; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That the International and affiliates expose privatization for the sham that it is by advocating for legislation at the federal, state and local level to require that the costs of privatization are thoroughly examined, prohibit corporate lawbreakers from getting government contracts, expose the political contributions of privateers, protect the rights of workers and ensure accountability to taxpayers; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That, where appropriate, AFSCME participate in joint labor-management quality initiatives or other similar partnership efforts to improve the quality and cost effectiveness of public services by developing and utilizing the decision-making skills, ideas, problem-solving abilities and expertise of public workers and by eliminating costly and outdated management barriers to efficient and effective government; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That the International and affiliates use every opportunity to deliver to decision-makers and the public the message that privatization cannot provide high quality, accountable public service, by developing regular media contacts, having a presence at employer group meetings, and developing allies in the fight for quality public services; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

That, although AFSCME can never match the financial resources that the privateers invest in advertising, lobbying and political contributions, the privateers can never match the power of 1.3 million members who are informed and inspired to fight privatization. This battle can only be won with a concerted effort at every level of the union, from the International to the councils and locals.

SUBMITTED BY:

INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE BOARD

Ronald C. Alexander, President and Delegate
Vanessa Tolliver, Secretary/Treasurer and Delegate
OCSEA/AFSCME Local 11
Ohio