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Resolutions & Amendments

Other International Executive Board Resolutions

Democracy in the Philippines

International Executive Board, 1986

WHEREAS:

AFSCME has by convention action recorded its strong disapproval of the dictatorial and oppressive regime of former President Marcos of the Philippines; and,

WHEREAS:

One of the first acts taken by Marcos when he declared martial law was to suppress the rights of free trade unions; and,

WHEREAS:

Even with the lifting of martial law Marcos refused to permit public employees to organize into unions and to enjoy even modest levels of bargaining and representation rights; and,

WHEREAS:

AFSCME's 26th International Convention urged the Marcos regime to restore trade union rights to Philippine public workers, and in floor debate delegates supported efforts by AFSCME to assist public employee organizations in that country; and,

WHEREAS:

By a remarkable demonstration of people power and commitment to democracy the Philippine people have forced Marcos to leave the office he stole and have rallied to a symbol of freedom, human rights and the rule of law.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

AFSCME congratulates the Philippine people on their peaceful revolution against the corrupt and illegal cronyism of Ferdinand Marcos; and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT:

AFSCME urges the U.S. Government to make clear its intentions to assist the people of the Philippines to consolidate their democracy and to recover from around the world any public wealth improperly or illegally exported by Marcos and his associates; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT:

AFSCME urges the new Philippine government to act promptly to restore full trade union rights with special attention to the public sector, where constitutional barriers imposed by a military regime prevent the creation of unions; and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT:

AFSCME participate in all appropriate efforts to assist the Philippine free trade union movement, to the extent possible in cooperation with the AFL-CIO and Public Services International, and with specific concern for the public sector associations both within and outside the Philippine Trade Union Congress that are struggling to restore their former effective representation activities for Philippine public workers.