Every year, delegates to the Washington State Labor Council convention discuss, deliberate and act on resolutions submitted by the affiliated union locals and councils. These resolutions establish policy, programs and action for the WSLC. The following were passed by delegates at the WSLC’s 2008 Convention held Aug. 4-7 in Vancouver.
(Some resolution numbers are skipped because those proposed resolutions were withdrawn, tabled or rejected by delegates, or combined with another similar submission.)
1. IN SUPPORT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON LABOR ARCHIVE
2. RESOLUTION FOR A NATIONWIDE GENERAL RALLY AGAINST THE WAR, HIGH OIL PRICES, MORTGAGE FORECLOSURES AND EVICTIONS, AND THE LACK OF AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE
3. RESOLUTION TO HONOR WASHINGTON STATE LABOR LEADER JOE MURPHY
4. INCREASE FUNDING FOR THE KING COUNTY REEMPLOYMENT SUPPORT CENTER PROGRAM
5. CESAR CHAVEZ NATIONAL HOLIDAY
6. IN SUPPORT OF WASHINGTON STATE LABOR COUNCIL DISASTER EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND
7. COLLECTIVE BARGAINING RIGHTS FOR MUSICIANS, PERFORMERS AND ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY WORKERS
8. RALLIES IN SUPPORT OF UNIVERSITY OF WASH./HARBORVIEW MEDICAL CENTER CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS
9. REGARDING AGRICULTURAL GUEST WORKERS
10. APPRENTICESHIP UTILIZATION IN THE AEROSPACE SECTOR
11. FULL COLLECTIVE BARGAINING RIGHTS FOR WASHINGTON STATE COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE FACULTY
12. HVAC-R LICENSING AND CERTIFICATION
13. REGARDING ORGANIZING AND DEFENSE FUNDS
14. SUPPORT FOR THE EMPLOYEE FREE CHOICE ACT
15. PROTECTING BENEFITS ON APPEAL
16. LIMITING EX PARTE COMMUNICATION IN INDUSTRIAL INSURANCE
17. HIRING AND RETENTION OF HEALTH AND SAFETY EXPERTS
18. OVERSIGHT OF SELF-INSURED EMPLOYERS
19. AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS TASK FORCE
20. RESOLUTION ON INDEPENDENT MEDICAL EXAMS
21. RESOLUTION SUPPORTING EXPANSION OF THE LABOR CENTER AT THE EVERGREEN STATE COLLEGE
22. SUPPORTING FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE INSURANCE
23. SWEAT FREE PROCUREMENT POLICIES
24. STATE FUNDING SUPPORT FOR THE A. PHILLIP RANDOLPH INSTITUTE CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM
25. ENDORSE THE TRADE ACT
26. RESOLUTION FOR THE PROMOTION OF APPRENTICESHIP UTILIZATION ON ALL FEDERAL NAVY AND COAST GUARD CONTRACTS
27. “TEACHERS UNITED” CAMPAIGN AT WASHINGTON STATE MIGRANT COUNCIL
28. RESOLUTION THANKING SEATTLE MARINERS FOR “PLAYING FAIR” WITH UNION PERFORMERS
29. SUPPORT OF ALLIANCE TO PREVENT PREDATORY LENDING (APPL)
31. SOLIDARITY FOR CALIFORNIA STATE EMPLOYEES
IN SUPPORT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON LABOR ARCHIVE
Resolution #1
WHEREAS, working people and their unions built this state and this nation; and if that understanding is lost, the labor movement will weaken and democracy itself could be threatened. History matters and it needs to be preserved and used; and
WHEREAS, for decades the University of Washington Special Collections Library has served as the repository for the records of the State Labor Council, several county labor councils, and many unions, leaders, and activists; and
WHEREAS, this library has suffered funding cut-backs and for some time has been unable to process donated collections meaning that vital historical documents remain inaccessible, raising the concern that other materials will not find a home at the major research library of the Pacific Northwest and that history will be lost; therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington labor community supports a campaign to raise funds to create the Washington Labor Archives (WLA) at the University of Washington Library; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the WLA will combine the dozens of labor collections already housed in the library with new collections that will be added in the years ahead and that the WLA will be managed by a professional labor archivist who will be employed by the Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies at UW; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the labor archivist will supervise the development of the Labor Archive, adding to and organizing the historical materials already deposited in the Special Collections Library, that the labor archivist will also work with unions, advising them on records management and arranging for the donation and processing of materials to the Labor Archive and, in addition, the labor archivist will develop educational projects and materials that will be widely accessible to union members, schools, and the general public and will be both a repository and a vehicle for teaching about the vital history and vital presence of unions in our region; and be it finally
RESOLVED, that the Washington labor community will assist in fundraising $100,000 per year to pay salary and benefits for a labor archivist and also fund an ongoing program of labor heritage and labor education events that will guarantee at least five years of funding until the WLA is able to have a permanent endowment in place and is able to attract grants from foundations and governmental sources.
RESOLUTION FOR A NATIONWIDE GENERAL RALLY AGAINST THE WAR, HIGH OIL PRICES, MORTGAGE FORECLOSURES AND EVICTIONS, AND THE LACK OF AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE
Resolution #2
WHEREAS, in these extraordinary times, extraordinary measures are needed to defend workers’ living standards and to provide for our basic needs; and
WHEREAS, labor is strongly opposed to the Iraq war which has resulted in untold death and destruction, including the loss or injury of over 34,000 U.S. troops, and cost the U.S. over $500 billion, with long-term costs estimated to be over $3 trillion; and
WHEREAS, members of the Democratic Party-controlled Congress failed to end this war by cutting off funding and have allowed gas prices to skyrocket while oil companies and speculators rake in billions in profits; and
WHEREAS, working people across the nation — who are reeling from escalating unemployment, energy and food prices, medical bills and home foreclosures — cannot be expected to bear the brunt of the war and a worsening economic crisis; and
WHEREAS, the rapidly deteriorating economy is forcing at least 28 states and many local governments to slash funding for vital services such as healthcare for the poor and elderly, education, libraries, and parks, and is costing thousands of jobs in both the public and private sectors; and
WHEREAS, it will take a dramatic showing of workers power and solidarity to pressure politicians of either major party to go against their corporate backers and do what is needed for working people to keep a roof over their heads, food on their tables, gas in their cars, oil burning in their furnace and their medical bills paid; and
WHEREAS, it is time for the U.S. labor movement to resurrect the general rally, a potent strategy workers have used to defend themselves from attacks by the employing class and governments around the world, including in the general rallies and strikes in San Francisco and Minneapolis during 1934 and the walk out of hundreds of thousands of immigrants on May Day 2006; and
WHEREAS, organizing a general rally on a national basis can be accomplished with the proper preparation, education, and rank-and-file leadership to motivate the participation not only of union members but also supporters from other social movements and millions of unorganized workers, including many immigrants, who oppose the war and are also impacted by the rise in oil and gas prices and the current economic crisis; and
WHEREAS, the ILWU inspired workers around the world when they closed the West Coast ports on May Day in protest of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, prompting a solidarity statement from the General Union of Port Workers in Iraq that said, “a better world will only be created by the workers and what you are doing is an example and proof of what we say”; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO urges the AFL-CIO and Change-to-Win federations to issue a call for their affiliates to participate in planning and conducting a nationwide general rally to demand an end to the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, the immediate return of all troops, and the redirection of war spending to fund:
1. Huge grants of federal money to state and local governments to stave off damaging cuts in social and public services; and
2. Relief for the unemployed and working poor by training and employing them in massive, public works programs as apprentices working alongside skilled union journey men and women to rebuild our infrastructure and construct more public housing, hospitals, schools, public transit and more; and be it further
RESOLVED that the rally put forth other demands to alleviate the plight of workers caught in the grip of a worsening recession, including:
1. A national moratorium on foreclosures, utility shutoffs, evictions and public housing demolitions, as recently called for by the San Francisco Labor Council, and the institution of rent control; and
2. Strengthen federal regulation of the oil companies and the roll back of gas and heating oil prices; and
3. Affordable health care, accessible health care and prescription drugs for all; and
4. Passage of pro-immigrant rights legislation and a moratorium on ICE raids, detentions and deportations; and be it finally
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council adopt this resolution and send it to affiliated unions and labor councils and to the AFL-CIO and the Change-to-Win labor federations, and encourage them to endorse it and to educate, organize and mobilize their members for a general rally to achieve these ends.
RESOLUTION TO HONOR WASHINGTON STATE LABOR LEADER JOE MURPHY
Resolution #3
WHEREAS; Brother Joe Murphy served working men and women of this state for his entire life; and
WHEREAS, Joe Murphy’s core values were to enhance wages, hours and working conditions; and
WHEREAS, Joe Murphy’s values were demonstrated in his actions towards all people of the State of Washington; and
WHEREAS, the affiliates of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, will forever be grateful for the work of our brother; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that at this convention in Vancouver, Washington, the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, goes on record of adding the name of Joe Murphy to the “Power to the People” award given annually at its convention, the name now appropriately called, “The Joe Murphy Power to the People Award.”
INCREASE FUNDING FOR THE KING COUNTY REEMPLOYMENT SUPPORT CENTER PROGRAM
Resolution #4
WHEREAS, the Martin Luther King, Jr. County Labor Council’s King County Reemployment Support Center program has served with distinction thousands of King County’s unemployed and dislocated workers since 1987; and
WHEREAS, the employees of the King County Reemployment Support Center program has been represented by OPEIU Local 8 since its inception; and
WHEREAS, the King County Reemployment Support Center program has been recognized as a “Best Practice” Rapid Response Team partner in 2000 by the United States Department of Labor, California AFL-CIO, and California State Job Training Partnership Division, in 2001/2002 by the Washington State Workforce Development Providers, and in 2006 by the Washington State Employment Security Department; and
WHEREAS, the King County Reemployment Support Center program has never had an increase in funding from the Washington State Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development since its establishment by the Washington State Legislature in 1987; and
WHEREAS, the King County Reemployment Support Center program cannot continue to provide the current level of services to unemployed and dislocated workers without an increase in state funding; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, shall make increased funding for the King County Reemployment Support Center program from the State of Washington a top priority of its legislative agenda for the 2009 session of the Washington State Legislature; and, be it finally
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, shall aggressively lobby the Washington State Legislature to include increased funding for the King County Reemployment Support Center program in the 2009-2011 Budget.
CESAR CHAVEZ NATIONAL HOLIDAY
Resolution #5
WHEREAS, working conditions for migrant workers were and continue to be harsh and unsafe; and wages were and still are low, making it difficult to support a family; and
WHEREAS, Cesar Chavez spent most of his life working in the California fields; and
WHEREAS, Cesar Chavez started to organize agricultural workers into a labor union in the 1950s in an attempt to improve the working conditions and to get better pay for the migrant workers from their employers; and
WHEREAS, Cesar Chavez and Delores Huerta founded the National Farm Workers Association, which honored the walkout by farm workers in Delano, California in 1965 who where in another union, the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee, and in 1966 both unions joined together to form the United Farm Workers Organizing Committee, which later became “The United Farm Workers” as we know it today; and
WHEREAS, Cesar Chavez, through tireless leadership made this nation aware of the struggles of the farm workers and their working conditions, and by fasting and other nonviolent tactics Cesar brought recognition to the importance and dignity of all farm workers, thereby becoming the voice of the farm worker; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that Cesar Chavez be recognized for his contribution to the plight of the farm worker and for the dignity of all people; and, be it further
RESOLVED, that Cesar Chavez’s birthday, March 31st, be made a national holiday through state and national legislative efforts; and, be it finally
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, will urge its affiliates to support this resolution by adopting it and forwarding it to the national AFL-CIO for its support.
IN SUPPORT OF WASHINGTON STATE LABOR COUNCIL DISASTER EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND
Resolution #6
REFERRED TO THE EXECUTIVE BOARD
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING RIGHTS FOR MUSICIANS, PERFORMERS AND ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY WORKERS
Resolution #7
WHEREAS, collective bargaining is a right guaranteed by the federal government in the National Labor Relations Act; and
WHEREAS, approximately one thousand musicians in the Puget Sound area and many other performers and theatrical employees in Washington State do not enjoy the right of collective bargaining because their employers are exempt from National Labor Relations Board jurisdiction, and
WHEREAS, the National Labor Relations Board will not assert jurisdiction for orchestras and other employers with annual budgets of less than one million dollars, nor musical show organizations and other entertainment organizations with budgets less than five hundred thousand dollars, and
WHEREAS, many musicians, performers, and entertainment industry employees employed by smaller budget performing organizations want the right to join a union and collectively bargain and are presently barred from holding an election because the NLRB will not assert jurisdiction; and
WHEREAS, the State could provide those rights under the jurisdiction of the Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC); now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council will make it one of their top legislative priorities for the 2009 legislative session to support and lobby for collective bargaining rights for performing artists and other entertainment industry workers, and, in particular, support the proposed law SB 6835 giving PERC jurisdiction over small performing arts organizations and employers.
RALLIES IN SUPPORT OF UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON/ HARBORVIEW MEDICAL CENTER CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS
Resolution #8
WHEREAS, collective bargaining was enacted by the legislature in 2002; and
WHEREAS, WFSE has successfully negotiated contracts with the University of Washington; and
WHEREAS, with the rising cost of fuel, housing, food and transportation, the standard of living has steadily declined; and
WHEREAS, Washington Federation of State Employees, Local 1488, is currently in contract negotiations with the University of Washington in an effort to improve their working conditions and obtain a livable wage for their members; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council will endorse and support the rallies of the Washington Federation of State Employees, Local 1488, in their efforts to obtain the best contract for their members; and, be it further
RESOLVED, that Rick Bender and Al Link, or a designated representative(s) from the Washington State Labor Council will speak at the rallies in support of Local 1488 and their fight for a strong and fair contract; and, be it finally
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council will call upon all AFL-CIO labor unions in Washington State to turn out their support for the rallies at the University of Washington and Harborview Medical Center on Thursday, August 21, 2008.
REGARDING AGRICULTURAL GUEST WORKERS
Resolution #9
WHEREAS, the federal agricultural guest worker program, known as the H-2A program, has existed in one form or another for the past 40 years and;
WHEREAS, growers can only apply to bring workers in under this program after receiving certification from U.S. Department of Labor that there is an insufficient number of domestic workers available to meet their needs and:
WHEREAS, the federal and state oversight of this program has been woefully inadequate, resulting in widespread abuses, including debt peonage, human trafficking, slavery, withholding of workers’ passports, underpayment of wages, substandard housing, and;
WHEREAS, union representation is the best vehicle for all workers, regardless of visa status, to ensure there is respect and dignity in their worksite and;
WHEREAS, Congress’ lack of action to pass immigration reform legalizing the majority of the U.S.’s agricultural workforce, combined with tougher enforcement actions has resulted in explosive growth of the H-2A program and;
WHEREAS, the United Farm Workers, for the past two years, has worked in Mexico, Thailand, the U.S. and other countries to create a just, union guest worker program for use in those situations where there is a legitimate shortage of domestic farm workers and;
WHEREAS, workers employed through this union program do not pay recruitment fees and enjoy the full protection of a union contract and;
WHEREAS, growers and their organizations, including the Washington Farm Bureau, instead of working with the UFW to build the union guest worker program, are instead contemplating running legislation to create a “state” guest worker program that would further diminish workers’ rights; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, oppose effort to create a state H-2A program in Washington; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, call on the Governor and State legislature to work support the UFW’s union guest worker initiative by actively promoting it with Washington growers; and be it finally
RESOLVED, that Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, shall support efforts of the UFW to ensure that all agricultural workers in Washington enjoy union representation, regardless of their visa.
APPRENTICESHIP UTILIZATION IN THE AEROSPACE SECTOR
Resolution #10
WHEREAS, the future economic health of Washington state relies on a strong aerospace industry and a workforce possessing high level of skills; and
WHEREAS, apprenticeship programs, approved by the Washington State Apprenticeship Council, have repeatedly demonstrated their effectiveness at creating highly skilled workforce; and
WHEREAS, registered apprentices enjoy living wages, decent benefits, and a future with more of the same; and
WHEREAS, the legislature has through tax incentives invested state resources in the health of the aerospace industry; and
WHEREAS, the intent of such investments were to create family wage jobs in addition to a profitable aerospace business sector; and
WHEREAS, the 2008 state supplemental budget provided for $3 million for a new aerospace apprenticeship program; and
WHEREAS, the underutilization of this valuable resource would squander the state’s investment; and
WHEREAS, expanding apprenticeship utilization standards to all industries privileged to receive tax subsidies will allow the state to fully benefit from those investments; and
WHEREAS, our state’s legislators are charged with the responsibility to address the need for highly skilled aerospace workers; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council recognize the dire need to address an escalating skilled aerospace worker shortage in the aerospace sector; and, be it finally
RESOLVED, that during the 2009 legislative session, the Washington State Labor Council will endorse and support legislation to establish apprenticeship utilization requirements for all aerospace businesses receiving Washington State aerospace industry tax incentives.
FULL COLLECTIVE BARGAINING RIGHTS FOR WASHINGTON STATE COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE FACULTY
Resolution #11
WHEREAS, the community and technical colleges in Washington serve over 60% of the students in higher education in the state of Washington while utilizing only 44% of the higher education budget; and
WHEREAS, all of the state’s community and technical college faculty are proudly represented by either the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) or the National Education Association (NEA); and
WHEREAS, Washington community and technical college faculty have lost 33% of the value of their wages since 1970, and
WHEREAS, Washington State 2-year college faculty are paid at least 15% below the average of the Top 7 comparable peers in the “Global Challenge” states identified by Governor Gregoire’s Washington Learns Study; and
WHEREAS, teachers in Washington 2-year colleges are unique among educators in that they are legally prohibited from bargaining for salary increases beyond legislative appropriation; and
WHEREAS, these prohibitions have led to a decline in the wages of faculty and in the bargaining power of the unions; and
WHEREAS, one of the legislative priorities of the AFT Washington is to work, along with the Washington Education Association, to remove the restrictions on our right to bargain salary increases; and
WHEREAS, the Washington State Labor Council fights to build the power of the labor movement and the collective bargaining rights of working people in this state; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council will include in its legislative agenda the lifting of legislative restrictions on bargaining for community and technical college faculty.
HVAC-R LICENSING AND CERTIFICATION
Resolution #12
WHEREAS, HVAC-R technicians work with toxic refrigerants and ventilation, which are inherently dangerous to both the workers and the public; and
WHEREAS, between 1996 and 2006 there were 37,496 worker compensation claims in the HVAC-R industry costing the State Fund more than $186 million dollars; and
WHEREAS, proper training and certification could have mitigated at least some of these circumstances; and
WHEREAS, thirty-six other states have some version of HVAC-R regulation; and
WHEREAS, proponents of HVAC-R certification/licensing include the majority of the HVAC-R industry in Washington representing 1500 employers and over 95,000 employees; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, shall make HVAC-R licensing/certification a priority of its legislative agenda for the 2009 session of the Washington State Legislature; and, be it finally
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, shall aggressively lobby the Washington State Legislature to pass HVAC-R licensing/certification legislation.
REGARDING ORGANIZING AND DEFENSE FUNDS
Resolution #13
WHEREAS, in 2006 changes were made to Article XI, Section 5, paragraph (a); and
WHEREAS, since 2006 some of the Organizing and Defense funds have utilized a substantial amount of their funds; and
WHEREAS, these moneys are designated by the Constitution and provided to the organizations by the WSLC Executive Board; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, to change Article XI , Section 5, paragraph (a) by adding after the number $100,000:
“In the event a Section’s monies become depleted prior to the total balance dropping below $100,000, the Executive Board is empowered to backfill the deficiency by a majority vote.”
SUPPORT FOR THE EMPLOYEE FREE CHOICE ACT
Resolution #14
WHEREAS, in 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the National Labor Relations Act, giving private sector employees the right to form unions and bargain collectively with their employers; and
WHEREAS, in 1948, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which includes Article 23, providing for worker rights to just and favorable conditions of work and to form and join trade unions for the protection of workers interests; and
WHEREAS, worker rights to form and join unions are increasingly eroded in the United States, according to the 2000 Human Rights Watch Report, by the failure of federal labor laws to provide adequate, timely, and just remedies for violations; and
WHEREAS, surveys of workers over the past several years show that over sixty million workers would like to join a union, these same surveys cite employer avoidance tactics as the principal reason that workers who say they want a union do not have a union; and
WHEREAS, National Labor Relations data shows that a worker is fired or disciplined every twenty-three minutes of the day for union activities in the United States; and
WHEREAS, federal law allows employers to refuse to recognize a union even when all of its employees have signed union authorization cards and even though most employers who use neutrality agreements or card check agreements report that the agreements resulted in improved relations with the union and more resources be devoted to other business goals; and
WHEREAS, even after workers successfully vote to have a union, delays in reaching a first contract denies workers the benefits of collective bargaining in one-third of all election victories; and
WHEREAS, federal law provides no effective remedy for the failure of an employer to bargain in good faith; and
WHEREAS, given this egregious situation the Employee Free Choice Act (HR 800 and S 1041) was drafted to remedy many of the problems in national labor law and to provide workers with the real right to form and join a union unimpeded by their employer or their employer’s agents; and
WHEREAS, the Employee Free Choice passed the U.S. House of Representatives in 2008 and received a cloture vote of 51 – 48 (cloture requires a vote of 60) to end debate, which would have allowed the bill the opportunity to be voted on in the U.S. Senate; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, will draft and circulate a sign-on letter from local and state elected officials and community leaders in support of the passage and signing of the Employee Free Choice Act in 2009 by the U.S. Congress and the President of the United States, and shall send the sign-on letter to our congressional delegation, the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate Majority Leader, the President of the United States, and to the National AFL-CIO; and, be it, finally
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council will encourage the Central Labor Councils and community partners to circulate and collect signatures for this sign-on letter of support for the passage of the Employee Free Choice Act and get them back to the WSLC by December 31, 2008.
PROTECTING BENEFITS ON APPEAL
Resolution #15
WHEREAS, HB 3039 stopped a longstanding unfair practice of benefits awarded to injured workers stopping once a self-insured employer appealed the claim to the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals, placing significant pressure on injured workers to settle claims for pennies on the dollar; and
WHEREAS, HB 3039 set up a process whereby benefits continue during an appeal unless the injured worker chooses to forego benefit payments till the appeal is decided or through an expedited stay hearing the employer is found to be likely to prevail in the final appeals decision; and
WHEREAS, it has come to our attention that some employers, employer associations, and third party administrators may be encouraging the employer community to protest claims at the department level, where benefits cease during the protest, as a way to avoid benefits on appeal, in the hopes that workers will settle their claims out at a lower value at the Department level; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council monitor this situation and prepare legislation, if necessary, for the 2009 legislative session that would protect workers’ benefits at the protest level.
LIMITING EX PARTE COMMUNICATION IN INDUSTRIAL INSURANCE
Resolution #16
WHEREAS, the industrial insurance system is supposed to provide sure and certain relief for injured workers; and
WHEREAS, the appeals process in workers’ compensation claims is time consuming and often times quite confusing for injured workers; and
WHEREAS, under current law an employer or their third party administrator can contact an injured worker’s physician, without the worker’s knowledge or the knowledge of the their attorney, and obtain information prejudicial to the appeal; and
WHEREAS, workers should not lose the right to privacy because of a workplace injury; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council go on record supporting legislation that limits ex parte communication with medical providers after an appeal has been filed in an industrial insurance claim.
HIRING AND RETENTION OF HEALTH AND SAFETY EXPERTS
Resolution #17
WHEREAS, the state Department of Safety and Health (DOSH) was created to make workplaces in Washington safer by preventing injuries, illnesses and deaths through education, consultation, and enforcement; and
WHEREAS, the state Safety and Health Assessment and Research for Prevention (SHARP) program was created to promote healthy work environments and prevent workplace injuries and illnesses through research and technology transfer; and
WHEREAS, compliance and enforcement activities are proven methods for reducing injuries and deaths at the workplace; and
WHEREAS, 22 safety and health professionals, with a combined 200 years of expertise, have left DOSH/SHARP this past year due to pay schedules that are below many other states and federal OSHA; and
WHEREAS, over 200,000 workers are injured on the job and over 100 workers die on the job in Washington State every year; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, the Washington State Labor Council, work with the Washington Federation of State Employees, the Governor, and the Director of the Department of Labor and Industries to both increase the number of safety and health experts at L&I and the wage and benefit packages that will encourage applicants and retain current employees.
OVERSIGHT OF SELF-INSURED EMPLOYERS
Resolution #18
WHEREAS, many of the workers represented by unions are employed by employers who self-insure their industrial insurance liability; and
WHEREAS, self-insured employers are not required to keep or report the same data on claims that are available at L&I for state fund insured employers, making it difficult to assess the magnitude and seriousness of problems in the industrial insurance system for workers employed by self-insured employers; and
WHEREAS, there is an effort by self-insured employers to reduce or eliminate oversight by the self-insurance division of the Department of Labor and Industries; and
WHEREAS, the experience of many of the injured workers we represent indicate there is insufficient oversight rather than too much regulation and oversight; and
WHEREAS, deregulation of self-insured employers will cause even more abuse of injured workers by self-insured employers or their third party administrators; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council go on record as opposing any efforts to reduce regulation or oversight of self-insured employers or their third party administrators (TPAs) and support any efforts to increase oversight of self-insured employers and their TPAs and recommend to its affiliates to do likewise; and, be it finally
RESOLVED, that the WSLC shall write to the Governor and the Director of Labor and Industries requesting their support for collecting the same data from self-insured employers as we do for state fund insured employers so that comparable analyses can be performed on the activity of self-insured employers.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS TASK FORCE
Resolution #19
WHEREAS, finding affordable housing is becoming more and more of a crisis for working families, individuals and retirees; and
WHEREAS, working families and individuals earning near or just above the state median income are finding it increasingly difficult to find affordable rental housing, much less afford the purchase of a home; and
WHEREAS, working families and individuals employed in low-paying service sector jobs are, in many cases, one pay check away from losing their homes, and
WHEREAS, homelessness is a major social and economic problem, with at least 20,000 residents of Washington state lacking a regular, decent place to live, many thousands of them having to sleep outdoors each night; and
WHEREAS, safe, decent housing is critical to people’s ability to maintain employment, take care of their health, and participate in the life of the community; and
WHEREAS, Washington state and most of its counties have created 10 Year Plans to End Homelessness, signaling local commitment to addressing this crisis; and
WHEREAS, our local and State 10 Year Plans to End Homelessness are lacking the resources needed to fully implement these plan ($350m annual shortfall to implement the strategies called for in the State ten-year plan update); and
WHEREAS, in response to the deepening crisis in housing, advocates in the community and labor have begun to work together to address homelessness and to create more affordable housing; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council (WSLC) shall continue to lead a special Affordable Housing and Homelessness Task Force that shall be comprised of affiliated local unions, advocates from the housing and homelessness community, and community partners; and, be it further
RESOLVED, that the main work of the Affordable Housing and Homelessness Task Force shall be developing and implementing policies that make housing more affordable, increases the stock of affordable, and wherever possible, union built and prevailed wage housing, and creates both housing and employment security for the homeless and for low and moderate income workers; and, be it finally
RESOLVED, that the Affordable Housing and Homelessness Task Force shall work to educate and advocate for “smart growth” housing and community economic development projects which emphasize creating affordable housing near where people actually work, thereby reducing our overall carbon footprint and increasing our quality of life; and to educate and advocate for policies that lead to building affordable housing with union labor and to creating pathways for community members to join our pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs to help build affordable housing and to secure family wage employment.
RESOLUTION ON INDEPENDENT MEDICAL EXAMS
Resolution #20
WHEREAS, it is a common practice by the state fund and self-insured employers to order Independent Medical Examinations (IMEs) for multiple purposes, including determinations of work relatedness of an injury, determining whether a worker is “fixed and stable”, and determining Permanent Partial Disability ratings; and
WHEREAS, the determinations by these IMEs have a major impact on the lives of injured workers and their families; and
WHEREAS, many injured workers have contacted union representatives, indicating their belief that the IME doctor or IME panel was far from being either independent or objective, showing little compassion or sympathy for injured workers, or for their diminished quality of life; and
WHEREAS, it is essential that injured workers be treated fairly and also feel they have been treated fairly; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council go on record supporting a Department of Labor and Industries Initiative setting up a labor and business IME advisory group to work on resolving problems such as: the quality of IMEs, worker/patient satisfaction and outcomes, reasonable referral methods, physician training and active practice, incentives for attending physicians to close claims, and agreed to IME exams; and, be it finally
RESOLVED, that if, in the estimation of the WSLC, this advisory group is not making sufficient progress resolving these problems that WSLC draft up reasonable legislation to address labor’s longstanding concerns with the IME process.
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING EXPANSION OF THE LABOR CENTER AT THE EVERGREEN STATE COLLEGE
Resolution #21
WHEREAS, The Evergreen State College Labor Center is the only publicly-funded program in the state that provides direct labor education to union members; and
WHEREAS, the Labor Center has a 21 year track record of providing trainings and workshops for individual unions and of sponsoring innovative conferences and schools for union members and the broader public; and
WHEREAS, the Labor Center has been underfunded since it was established in 1987; and
WHEREAS, the Labor Center can play a very important role in educating the next generation of union leaders in Washington state; and,
WHEREAS, the Labor Center has shown the ability to creatively and responsibly use additional funds, as demonstrated in a 2007 expansion that involved a doubling of the Center’s budget and the establishment of one project focused on immigrant workers and one on union women; and,
WHEREAS, the Labor Center would like to open an educational center in the region between Seattle and SeaTac that would provide classroom space for workshops with union and community members, and office space for four additional staff (plus the two staff who currently work from Seattle); and,
WHEREAS, the four additional staff positions would focus on: 1) strategic research, 2) traditional labor education for union members, 3) an internship opportunity for young trade unionists to learn the skills of labor education, and 4) support work for all staff; and,
WHEREAS, the value of strategic research has been demonstrated in other labor centers around the country, for instance at UCLA where it has played a critical role in the development of long-term organizing campaigns; and,
WHEREAS, there is a need among unions around the state for more member educational opportunities on topics such as internal/external organizing, collective bargaining strategies, and labor history; and,
WHEREAS, it is important for the current, small, and aging body of labor educators in the state to nurture a new generation of educators; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council will support legislative and gubernatorial efforts that would double Labor Center staff and permit the opening of an educational center in the region between Seattle and SeaTac, and will make lobbying for this funding a priority in the upcoming legislative session.
SUPPORTING FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE INSURANCE
Resolution #22
WHEREAS, the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) has been an outstanding success in providing workers with job protection while allowing them to give necessary care to family members for illness and injury; and
WHEREAS, many workers are unable to take FMLA leave as it is often unpaid leave and, therefore, parent(s) must choose between going to work in order to maintain a home for their child(ren) and leaving them ill and inadequately attended or, worse yet, completely unattended or remaining at home with diminished or no income; and
WHEREAS, with today’s aging workforce, many workers face the same unacceptable choices when caring for elderly parents; and
WHEREAS, parent(s) are faced with no licensed care facilities for children under the age of six weeks; and
WHEREAS, it is becoming increasingly more difficult for workers to keep a roof over head and food on the table when faced with their own chronic, serious illness or injury; and
WHEREAS, many employers rely upon a worker’s financial liability to take unpaid leave, forcing many to work while ill and/or injured, compromising the safety and well-being of co-workers; and
WHEREAS, today’s family incomes are challenged to meet the growing costs of daily living (housing, food, energy, water, transportation, etc.) in order to maintain the integrity and true intent of FMLA to care of a family member without fear of reprisal or job loss from an employer; and
WHEREAS, the Washington State Legislature passed legislation during the 2007 legislative session calling for five (5) weeks of paid family leave for newborns and adopted children, to be paid at a stipend of $250 a week, but did not come up with a funding source for the program; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, support workers and their families by actively pursuing funding of a comprehensive Washington State Family Leave Insurance program, which would also include paid leave for attending to the serious illness or injury of family members and the workers’ own illness, by the most reasonable funding source available, including but not limited to a payroll tax on workers of up to 2 cents an hour; and, be it finally
RESOLVED, that the work of the Washington State Family Leave Insurance Program shall be performed by Washington State employees.
SWEAT FREE PROCUREMENT POLICIES
Resolution #23
WHEREAS, sweat shop labor has a dramatic, harmful effect on the health, safety, and livelihood of workers who are directly affected by these workplace abuses, as well as on the wages and working conditions of all workers, who are affected indirectly by the global race to the bottom; and
WHEREAS, workers everywhere have a right to dignity and respect on the job, freedom of association, and family wage jobs; and
WHEREAS, a global economy founded on sweatshop exploitation undermines global economic security and political stability; and
WHEREAS, state and local governments are large customers of apparel – such as uniforms for public sector workers – and currently have no public accountability for where this apparel is purchased from, or the conditions under which it was produced; and
WHEREAS, the purchasing power of states, local governments and school districts should be used to reinforce international labor organization standards and local laws that protect workers, not undermine them; and
WHEREAS, the State and Local Government Sweat Free Consortium will pool resources for investigating and monitoring supplier factories and coordinate the implementation and enforcement of sweat free procurement standards; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, support either a state Executive Order or state legislation that calls for the end of public subsidies to sweatshop abuses by requiring state procurement policies to be sweat free; and, be it further
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, educates its affiliates about the benefits of sweat free procurement campaigns, and encourages the affiliates to join with community allies in sweat free procurement campaigns; and, be it further
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, endorse the formation of a national “State and Local Government Sweat Free Consortium”, which will work to end public purchasing of sweatshop goods and services.
STATE FUNDING SUPPORT FOR THE A. PHILLIP RANDOLPH INSTITUTE CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM
Resolution #24
WHEREAS, the Seattle Chapter of the A. Phillip Randolph Institute (APRI) has been actively organizing for social and economic justices in King County and around the state, and their organizing efforts have built alliances with religious communities throughout Washington State; and
WHEREAS, these communities are coming together to build a legislative agenda to support their communities and are making a commitment to support a social and economic justice agenda to improve the lives of working families; and all of this organizing is being done with a volunteer workforce; and
WHEREAS, in February of this year, 68 religious and community leaders mobilized to talk with elected leaders regarding issues vital to our local communities, and during this meeting there was a discussion of statewide support for capacity building for APRI; and
WHEREAS, Representatives Frank Chopp and Eric Pettigrew have made a commitment to work with APRI to present a grant proposal for the state for the 2009 budget that would request $300,000 for 2009-2010 to fund two full-time employees for APRI to focus on statewide research and organizing; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council supports APRI’s capacity building grant and will communicate said support to Representatives Chopp and Pettigrew.
ENDORSE THE TRADE ACT
Resolution #25
WHEREAS, current U.S. trade policy, represented by the WTO, NAFTA, AND CAFTA, encourages businesses to move jobs overseas in pursuit of lower costs and weaker protections for the environment, labor rights and human rights; and
WHEREAS, millions of U.S. manufacturing jobs have disappeared and factories have closed all over the country as a result of global economic integration; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. economy has been de-industrialized to the point that manufacturing now represents only about 10% of all economic activity in the U.S.; and
WHEREAS, current trade policy has worked to the advantage of the wealthiest fraction of the population while real wages for working people are stuck at 1973 levels; and
WHEREAS, farmers and workers in Mexico, Latin America, Asia and other countries suffered dislocations and reduced opportunities as their own industries and agricultural markets are flooded with foreign goods; and
WHEREAS, the TRADE Act (S. 3083 and HR 6180) establishes a much needed GAO review of existing trade agreements to assess, among other things, the impact they have had on labor and environmental standards in the U.S. and its trading partners; and
WHEREAS, the TRADE Act mandates that new trade agreements must include enforcement of relevant international and domestic labor and environmental standards and further clarifies that commercial objectives cannot trump regulation for the public good; and
WHEREAS, the TRADE Act specifically ensures that new trade agreements be negotiated in a more open manner that would include expertise from civil society; and
WHEREAS, the TRADE Act is endorsed by the AFL-CIO, Change to Win, many individual unions and locals, environmental groups, and family farm organizations among others; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council supports the TRADE Act and will advocate for its adoption by Congress in partnership with other environmental, labor, social justice, faith and other organizations; and, be it further
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council encourage affiliated unions and Councils to endorse the TRADE Act and educate their members and the public about the legislation; and, be it finally
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council communicate Labor’s support of the TRADE Act to the Washington State Congressional delegation.
RESOLUTION FOR THE PROMOTION OF APPRENTICESHIP UTILIZATION ON ALL FEDERAL NAVY AND COAST GUARD CONTRACTS
Resolution #26
WHEREAS, in the 70’s, the workforce for the 11 member unions of the Metal Trades Council on the West Coast consisted of 75,000 workers. In the Puget Sound Area there were 25,000 Asbestos Workers, Electricians, Laborers, Machinists, Operating Engineers, Painters, Pipefitters, Riggers, Shipwrights, Teamsters, & Welders contributing to the economic well-being of the United States and the well-being of thousands of Union workers and their families. A highly-skilled shipyards work force is critical to the economy and security of the United States during peacetime and times of conflict and;
WHEREAS, at the present time the Puget Sound workforce numbers less than 2,000 with a workforce average age of 53.5 years. We are faced with an immediate and dire need to recruit and retain a whole new workforce before this generation of workers is unavailable to pass on their experience and skills – before we lose all stateside shipyards, and before our national security is dependant on foreign shipyards, investors and/or governments and;
WHEREAS, the drive for cheaper labor has trended towards sending work overseas despite the loss of productivity; shortsightedly undercutting our economy with inconsistent employability for the present workforce and creating a vulnerability to our National Security and;
WHEREAS, the apprenticeship system is a historic model for the education of highly trained craftspeople. Apprenticeship training programs are particularly effective in providing training and experience to individuals seeking to enter or advance in the workforce. Apprentice utilization standards have expanded opportunities for workers to enter family-wage occupations. The shipyards of the United States are proud and deserving of their reputations as the most productive, highly skilled workforce, skilled in their crafts and innovators of new technology and work methods and;
WHEREAS, we shall partner with Helmets to Hardhats, a direct entry program designed and implemented by the National Building & Construction Trades Department, AFL-CIO that connects military service men and women with direct entry into construction apprenticeship programs and adopted by the State of Washington, Washington State Labor Council & Washington State Building & Construction Trades Council to assist in attracting men & women who exhibit discipline, leadership and the ability to work in a team environment assisting in returning to civilian life with family-wage occupations and;
WHEREAS, the United States’ current, and future workforce needs growth & support for new, construction, remodels, repair and maintenance; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that all AFL-CIO affiliated councils shall demonstrate support for a Federal Apprenticeship Utilization Requirement Standard with State Apprenticeship Standards by having member councils and union members transmit their support to the member unions up to the relevant legislative representative; and, be it further
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, place as priority an Apprentice Utilization Legislative Requirement Standard with State Apprenticeship Standards at the State and Federal level and urge that every affiliated council and local union affiliated with the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO place the promotion of Federal Apprenticeship Utilization Standards as a priority campaign to locally elected and appointed public leaders; and, be it finally
RESOLVED, that the President of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, will transmit a copy of this resolution to all relevant sources to demonstrate support for requiring apprenticeship utilization on all Federal Governmental Contracts for all Naval and Coast Guard contracts for new construction, remodels or repair that will create opportunities for training and experience that will help assure that a skilled work force will be available in sufficient numbers in the future during peacetime and times of conflict.
“TEACHERS UNITED” CAMPAIGN AT WASHINGTON STATE MIGRANT COUNCIL
Resolution #27
WHEREAS, quality early childhood education is critical to the success of any child’s life; and
WHEREAS, farm worker children deserve the same high quality early childhood education as every other child; and
WHEREAS, the highest indicator of quality early learning is the permanency of the adult in the room; and
WHEREAS, those who deliver high quality early childhood education also deserve just wages, safe working conditions, affordable benefits and a voice in the workplace; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council endorse the campaign of “Teachers United” (AFT, WEA, WFSE) in their quest to organize the teachers, social workers and staff of the Washington State Migrant Council (WSMC); and, be it finally
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council encourage all of its member AFL-CIO members to support the WSMC staff in attaining their voice at work.
RESOLUTION THANKING SEATTLE MARINERS FOR “PLAYING FAIR” WITH UNION PERFORMERS
Resolution #28
WHEREAS, the Seattle Mariners major league baseball team is one of the most recognizable organizations in the state of Washington; and
WHEREAS, the team has agreed to a request from the Seattle local of the American Federation of Radio and Television Artists (AFTRA) that it produce all of its radio advertizing under a regional broadcast code contract; and
WHEREAS, that decision opens up new work for union actors and voice talent in Washington State; and
WHEREAS, those performers will now receive employer contributions to their union health and retirement plans; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council congratulates the Seattle Mariners baseball team for “playing fair” with union actors and voice talent by providing jobs which enable those workers to contribute to their health and retirement plans.
SUPPORT OF ALLIANCE TO PREVENT PREDATORY LENDING (APPL)
Resolution #29
WHEREAS, the Predatory Lending coalition exists in order to pass fair and reasonable consumer protections from predatory lending that will reduce poverty and create safer and stronger communities in Washington State; and
WHEREAS, lending should help build a future not destroy it with triple digit interest rates and downward spirals of debt; and
WHEREAS, it is unjust to prey upon anyone based on race, economic status, age, and health or immigration status in order to make a profit; and
WHEREAS, predatory payday lending is prohibited in 11 states; and
WHEREAS, the Alliance to Prevent Predatory Lending has recently broadened their scope beyond payday lending to include mortgage loans and refund anticipation loans; and
WHEREAS, the Seattle Women’s Commission had previously endorsed and recently updated that endorsement for the larger campaign; and
WHEREAS, WFSE Local 304 Women’s Committee and Education Committee move to support endorsement of the Alliance to Prevent Predatory Lending; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that we support passing legislation against predatory lending; and, be it further
RESOLVED, that we support and endorse the Alliance to Prevent Predatory Lending; and be it finally
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, send this resolution to their affiliates and encourage them to endorse the Alliance to Prevent Predatory Lending and educate members.
SOLIDARITY FOR CALIFORNIA STATE EMPLOYEES
Resolution #31
WHEREAS, Governor Schwarzenegger’s cynical Executive Order to slash California state worker’s salaries to the Federal minimum wage of $6.55/hour is a senseless diversion designed to shift blame from his own party’s failure to balance the California budget; and
WHEREAS, such a Draconian measure would seriously damage the lives of hundreds of thousands of AFSCME members and other state workers, preventing them from maintaining their homes, their children’s’ education, and their way of life; and
WHEREAS, this Order would necessarily cause state workers to seek other employment, and thereby reduce the already compromised ability of the State of California and its Government to operate effectively; and
WHEREAS, there are more logical and cost effective means to reduce California’s budget deficit of $15.2 billion dollars, including the raising of revenues; and
WHEREAS, state employees should never be treated as pawns in a political process, no matter what the circumstances; and
WHEREAS, the thousands of families affected by this attack on state employee’s face rising mortgage costs, food costs, and gas prices and so will face real hardship in the coming weeks and months; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council will support the unions opposing the Governor’s order and stand in solidarity with those workers affected; and, be it finally
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council will fight to make sure the Washington State Legislature and Governor will understand that this tactic is immoral, ineffective, and never to b e used on the hard working employees of Washington State, no matter what the circumstances.
Comments are closed.