WHEREAS:

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) no longer deliver on their respective statutory mandates to protect the rights of workers to form, join and support a union and encourage the practice and procedure of collective bargaining; and

WHEREAS:

Pro-worker decisions were issued under the Obama-era federal labor boards, but we are seeing significant retrenchment under the current NLRB and FLRA. President Trump’s appointment of anti-union management lawyers to serve as board members and as the NLRB’s general counsel are working to reverse favorable advances made under the Obama-era labor board and members of the FLRA are becoming increasingly aggressive in efforts to undermine the bargaining rights of federal workers; and

WHEREAS:

The current NLRB wants to change or undo the representation case rules that were implemented in 2014 to expedite the NLRB election process. At the FLRA, decisions have been made on representation cases despite the union-petitioner withdrawing and mooting the cases; and

WHEREAS:

Employers in the private sector routinely hire union busters and use legal strategies to stall representation elections, and even after unions win an election, employers delay the bargaining process to frustrate workers’ efforts to secure a first contract; and

WHEREAS:

Without strong labor unions, there can be no equity for working people. When workers are stripped of union protections, wages stagnate or decline, and inequities grow. Without unions, pension and health care benefits deteriorate and workers' interests in safe and healthy workplaces and in stable employment go unheard and unheeded by employers and by the government alike. And, without strong enforcement of labor laws, unions cannot effectively function.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME will publicize how the current NLRB and FLRA are enforcing our federal labor laws to hinder, rather than promote, collective bargaining. AFSCME councils and locals must educate their members about the unfairness of labor laws governing workers' right to organize and the need for reform; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME will continue to build coalitions with community, civil rights and religious allies to demand that employers obey existing protections found in labor laws; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME will demand that elected officials and candidates for office publicly support workers' rights to choose representation free from coercion. AFSCME will also encourage elected officials at all levels to commit to allowing workers to freely choose unions by using voluntary recognition, expedited elections and neutrality agreements; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

That AFSCME reaffirms our commitment to lead the battle to fight for a National Labor Relations Board and a Federal Labor Relations Authority which supports workers’ rights.

SUBMITTED BY:
Denise Duncan, RN, President and Delegate
Elizabeth Hawkins, RN, Secretary and Delegate
UNAC/UHCP
California