WHEREAS:
Workers in America are the most productive in the world, working longer hours than in any other developed country, yet face stagnant wages and family incomes; and

WHEREAS:
Workers in America face increasing economic insecurity with eroding health care benefits and disappearing pensions; and

WHEREAS:
The gap between workers’ pay and CEO pay has expanded from a CEO’s pay equaling 42 times the average blue collar worker in 1980 to a CEO’s pay equaling 364 times the average blue collar worker; and

WHEREAS:
Working families, AFSCME and other unions have built a powerful middle class; and

WHEREAS:
Corporations are attempting to take power away from workers by fighting to erode our rights to collective bargaining and right to form and join unions; and

WHEREAS:
AFSCME, other unions and working families across the country must fight to rebuild workers’ power and restore economic justice; and

WHEREAS:
AFSCME members have different political affiliations yet are all concerned about the effects of the economy on their jobs, their communities and their families.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
That AFSCME adopts “Working Family Values” as the principles that anyone who wants to work should have a job; workers who are proud of their work should have the chance to do it right; all workers and our families should be able to live in dignity with health care and retirement security; and every worker should enjoy freedom to form a union and bargain collectively.  Workers want to contribute to, and share in, building a working class economy; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That AFSCME will use the “Working Family Values” in communications with our members and the public, and urge our elected officials and endorsed candidates to adopt and discuss the “Working Family Values” message as part of their platform.
 
 
SUBMITTED BY: Gary Gillespie, President and Delegate
AFSCME Council 75
Ken Allen, Delegate
AFSCME Local 350, Council 75
Oregon