WHEREAS:

            Urban areas are the economic engines of our nation; and

WHEREAS:

            The majority of AFSCME members work and live in urban areas; and

WHEREAS:

            The long-term economic well-being of AFSCME members is tied to financially vigorous urban areas; and

WHEREAS:

            Urban areas share common problems and aspirations. The economic capacity of individual jurisdictions to provide adequate public services to their residents varies.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

            That AFSCME advocate for an urban agenda of federal, state and local policies that strengthens the fiscal health of local governments; improves the safety, health and quality of life of residents; enhances environmental sustainability; creates and maintains high quality employment and prepares residents to take advantage of these opportunities; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

            That AFSCME advocate for scarce state and federal resources to be targeted at the most distressed cities, neighborhoods and populations; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

            That AFSCME will analyze proposals to regionalize, consolidate or create shared service agreements among two or more government agencies or jurisdictions to ensure the continuation of quality public services and the protection of worker rights, pay and benefits.  AFSCME will oppose any such reorganization of service delivery unless the public and the workers who provide the services are adequately protected; and

            That AFSCME work with other urban advocates to educate Americans about the contributions urban governments and the AFSCME members employed by them play in maintaining the nation’s well-being.