WHEREAS:
The United States is the only industrialized country without a comprehensive system of support for families; and,
WHEREAS:
Women with young children have been entering the work force in increasing numbers, largely out of economic necessity, so that today over half of mothers with children under six are in the labor force, yet 60 percent of American women have no guaranteed maternity leave and the Reagan administration has cut funding for child care by 28 percent; and,
WHEREAS:
Over 18 percent of American families have at least one member 65 years of age or older and the responsibility for caring for sick or dependent family members primarily falls on women; and,
WHEREAS:
Growing poverty rates have impacted most severely on women with children and elderly women, so that 23 percent of American children under 5 and 20 percent of elderly women living alone live in poverty; and,
WHEREAS:
Minority women have been most severely affected with 43 percent of black children and 42 percent of black women over 65 living in poverty; and,
WHEREAS:
Cuts in health care have also disproportionately affected minorities, the elderly, women, and children, and in some poor urban and rural areas in this country infant mortality rates are higher than in many underdeveloped nations; and,
WHEREAS:
The majority of those employed in the United States as caregivers are women and earn close to the minimum wage or less; and,
WHEREAS:
Our families are the bedrock of America's strength and our hope for the future.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
- The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees endorse and support the demonstration to be held in Washington, D.C. by the Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW) on May 7, 1988 calling for Federal support for American families, including family and medical leave; affordable, universally-available, high-quality child care and eldercare; and a quality comprehensive health care system; and,
- The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees encourages its affiliates to work with local CLUW chapters to support and mobilize local participation in the May 7, 1988 Washington demonstration.