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 2013 Convention held July 25-27 at the Vancouver Hilton and Convention Center.
(Some resolution numbers are skipped because those proposed resolutions were withdrawn, tabled or rejected by delegates, or combined with another similar submission.)
1. RESOLUTION ON APPRENTICESHIP
2. RESOLUTION ON SERVICE SECTOR ORGANIZING
3. RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE CITY OF SEATAC GOOD JOBS INITIATIVE
4. SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION THAT CREATES FAIRNESS IN THE TAXI INDUSTRY
6. RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF CULTURAL ACCESS FUNDS
7. SUPPORT OF A STATE CARBON TAX AND DIVIDEND
8. RESOLUTION CONCERNING SURFACE WATER QUALITY STANDARDS AND FISH CONSUMPTION RATES
9. RESOLUTION TO OPPOSE THE HONORING OF DETAINER REQUESTS UNDER THE “SECURE COMMUNITIES” PROGRAM
10. RESOLUTION ON POLITICAL ACCOUNTABILITY
11. OPPOSING THE INTERNATIONAL FREE TRADE AGREEMENT AGENDA
12. FAIR TRADE AND OUR FEDERAL POLITICIANS
13. RESOLUTION ON APPRENTICESHIP
14. CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR TIMELY ACCESS TO CERTIFIED PAYROLL RECORDS
15. TRANSPORTATION FOR WASHINGTON
16. Resolution in Support of Worker Rights Curriculum
17. RESOLUTION ON RESPECTFUL WORKPLACE REGULATION
18. RESOLUTION ON ADDRESSING UNEMPLOYMENT AND JOB OPPORTUNITIES IN THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY AND FOR ALL COMMUNITIES OF COLOR
19. RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT WORKERS OF THE HANFORD ATOMIC METAL TRADES COUNCIL
20. SUPPORT FOR THE WASHINGTON STATE DREAM ACT
21. SUPPORT FOR IMMIGRANT WORKERS IN COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM & IMPLEMENTATION
22. RESOLUTION ON THE STAND AND THE ADVOCATE
23. RESOLUTION ON THE COLUMBIA RIVER CROSSING
24. BENEFITS OF COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM TO WASHINGTON STATE
25. SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION THAT ENABLES THE ESTABLISHMENT OF UNIVERSAL SINGLE PAYER HEALTH CARE
26. IN SUPPORT OF PAID SICK DAYS AND FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE INSURANCE
27. RESOLUTION ON THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MARCH ON WASHINGTON
29. REGARDING RAILROAD WORKER AND PUBLIC SAFETY REGULATION AND LEGISLATION
30. RESOLUTION TO IMPROVE WORKFORCE DATA
31. IN SUPPORT OF STATE EMPLOYEES’ COMPETITIVE CONTRACTING PROCESS
32. PROTECTING THE RETIREMENT SECURITY OF PUBLIC SERVANTS
33. ENSURING ACCESS TO RETIREMENT SECURITY FOR ALL WORKERS
35. RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF I-522
37. RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE WASHINGTON STATE CHAPTER OF THE ALLIANCE FOR RETIRED AMERICANS
RESOLUTION ON APPRENTICESHIP
Resolution #1
WHEREAS, youth unemployment rates are at record highs; and
WHEREAS, young workers have the most favorable opinion of unions of any American age demographic; and
WHEREAS, increasing the ranks of union members amongst our youth is the best plan for keeping our elders cared for, our families strong and our children’s future positive; and
WHEREAS, apprenticeships of all varieties are an intelligent route to successful employment and often the benefits of union membership; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, encourage our public officials at every level to include measures that expand apprenticeship wherever tax dollars are invested; and be it finally
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, ask its affiliates to leverage their influence in our various union apprenticeships to encourage apprenticeship expansion with the goal of reducing youth unemployment rates and increasing unionism and its benefits in our state.
RESOLUTION ON SERVICE SECTOR ORGANIZING
Resolution #2
WHEREAS, service workers across our state, working in some of the most underpaid and disrespected job positions such as fast-food cooks, Wal-Mart workers, and SeaTac baggage handlers, are standing up for their rights; and
WHEREAS, the National Labor Relations Board’s overly bureaucratic, undemocratic laws hurt workers’ ability to form or join a union and are particularly prohibitive toward young, immigrant and poor workers seizing their right to union representation and its benefits; and
WHEREAS, the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, is the largest and most influential labor organization in Washington State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, convene an organizing task force that focuses on assisting non-traditional organizing campaigns.
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE CITY OF SEATAC GOOD JOBS INITIATIVE
Resolution #3
WHEREAS, an estimated 6,500 workers are employed by businesses in the City of SeaTac who provide hospitality and transportation services to travelers and visitors; and
WHEREAS, while some of these workers have union contracts, the vast majority make poverty-level wages without access to health insurance, paid sick leave, retirement or other benefits; and
WHEREAS, forty years ago many would have been employed by an airline or the airport, or otherwise made living wages, today they work on the margins of the economy, employed by subcontractors, under threat of being subcontracted or limited to part-time work; and
WHEREAS, the proliferation of outsourcing of services at SeaTac Airport has led to a race to the bottom, with a two-tiered system of passenger aviation workers, well-compensated working directly for airlines and low-wage, few or no benefit workers of airline contractors; and
WHEREAS, hospitality and transportation employees’ low wages and benefits weaken the local economies and public health of cities around the airport; and
WHEREAS, passenger safety, security and health is compromised by low-wage employment; and
WHEREAS, four major West Coast airports – Los Angeles International Airport, San Francisco International, Oakland International, and San Jose International – have all set minimum workforce standards to address the effects of low-wage jobs and outsourcing, creating economic success for workers, local economies, airports and their airlines; and
WHEREAS, several cities in California – Los Angeles, Long Beach and Emeryville – have set minimum workforce standards for hospitality workers, to address conditions that compromise worker well-being and local economic prosperity; and
WHEREAS, the SeaTac Good Jobs Initiative has collected signatures and filed a voter initiative which will be on the November 2013 ballot to improve working conditions for more than 6,500 workers in the City of SeaTac, which establishes a living wage of $15 per hour, provides for paid sick leave, promotes full time employment, stabilizes the workforce and stops employers from holding on to “service charges” and tips to the workers who are actually providing the services; now therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, and their affiliates support the Good Jobs Initiative in SeaTac, and support its enactment by SeaTac voters in November.
SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION THAT CREATES FAIRNESS IN THE TAXI INDUSTRY
Resolution #4
WHEREAS, because taxicab operators are classified as independent contractors and cannot organize into unions or have access to union contract bargaining, they have formed an association called the Western Washington Taxicab Operators Association, which associates with Teamsters Local 117 for legal services, administrative services, representation services and lobbying for statutory and regulatory change through the legislative bodies that regulate taxis; and
WHEREAS, the independent owners of taxicab operators are the only independent contractors in Washington mandated to purchase Labor and Industries Insurance for themselves while dispatch companies share no responsibility; and
WHEREAS, taxicab operators are misclassified with security guards and armored car operators who pay nearly 100% more than limousine and shuttle operators for their premiums; and
WHEREAS, town cars and limousines are allowed to operate in the City of Seattle and King County, while local jurisdictions have no enforceable authority over these vehicles, and licensed-metered taxicabs may have their licenses revoked for recurrent or egregious violations of the law; and
WHEREAS, under the current law only Wheelchair Accessible Taxicab Licensees are required to personally operate their vehicles 40 hours per week, 40 weeks per year for as long as they hold their license, meaning that families invest their savings in starting a taxi business, and in the event something happens to the licensee, their families lose everything because the license is non-transferable; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council (WSLC) urges the Department of Labor and Industries to reevaluate its classification of taxicab operators with security guards and armored car operators instead of their peers in similar industries, and support legislation that forces the State to address the disparity in regulation between taxicab owners and all other business owners; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the WSLC supports legislation giving local municipalities the authority to fairly regulate the taxicab industry with competing industries including town cars and limousines; and, be it further
RESOLVED, that the WSLC condemns unfair regulation of Wheelchair Accessible Taxicab Licensees and their families by local municipalities; and be it finally
RESOLVED, that the WSLC works with affiliates and coalition partners to elect leaders and develop legislation or administrative remedies to encourage fairness in the Washington taxicab industry.
RESOLUTION TO OPPOSE NEW TRADE AGREEMENTS SIMILAR TO N.A.F.T.A., SUCH AS T.P.P. AND T.T.I.P, OPPOSE FAST TRACK AUTHORITY FOR CONGRESS, AND SUPPORT BALANCED TRADE
Resolution #5
WHEREAS, our trade deficits since NAFTA have accumulated to over $8 trillion, which represents production we’ve lost for millions of workers across the country, reaching the highest levels in human history; and
WHEREAS, China and other countries follow export-led growth strategies, including incentives to U.S. companies to move their production, jobs, research and development from the U.S. to foreign nations; and
WHEREAS, trade negotiators have used secretive proceedings to give investors and multinational companies the maximum leverage in setting principles and writing language for two new agreements known as the Trans-Pacific partnership (TPP) and the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP); and
WHEREAS, “Free Trade” agreements have defined rules favorable to multi-national companies, enabling them to move production to countries with low wages and weak protections for the environment, human rights, labor rights, public health and prudent financial regulations; and
WHEREAS, the interests of labor, human rights, environment, public health and prudent financial regulation are pushed aside in the trade negotiations for TPP and TTIP; and
WHEREAS, “Free Trade” agreements undermine democracy by restricting legitimate policies enacted by freely-elected governments to protect public interest and raise living standards; and
WHEREAS, the proposed TPP and the TTIP will establish these anti-democratic “free trade” provisions as a global standard for all of our major trading partners in Asia, the Americas and Europe; and
WHEREAS, elected officials in Congress cannot conduct public policy reviews of the draft texts, in spite of repeated requests; and
WHEREAS, the simplest test of a good trade policy is that we make goods and services for export of roughly the same value as the goods and services we import; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council opposes the Trans-Pacific Partnership and Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership as long as the agreements conform to the NAFTA model; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council opposes Trade Promotion Authority (Fast-Track); and, be it further
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council support a national goal of balancing the US trade account by 2020; and, be it finally
RESOLVED, the Washington State Labor Council will encourage affiliates to work with their international unions to explain the negative consequences of TPP and TTIP to their members and publicly oppose such measures, while encouraging alternative policies that will move us toward balanced trade and inclusion of public interests into our trade policy. In addition, the Washington State Labor Council will work with national labor partners, other state federations, elected officials, and coalition allies, as needed, as these measures come before the U.S. Congress.
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF CULTURAL ACCESS FUNDS
Resolution #6
WHEREAS, ensuring adequate access to cultural resources is important to build and maintain both strong communities and a strong economy, with family wage jobs and good benefits; and
WHEREAS, cultural institutions in Martin Luther King, Jr., Kitsap, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties provide 35,520 jobs, generating $2 billion in business activity, $882 million in wages and $83 million in State and local taxes; and
WHEREAS, 57% of Central Puget Sound households are accounted for in the patron lists of just 25 arts, cultural, and scientific organizations in Martin Luther King, Jr. County alone; and
WHEREAS, the Cultural Access Fund (CAF) is a statewide coalition of 36 arts, cultural, science and heritage institutions, including many with unionized workforces, good labor relations and a commitment to family wage jobs; and
WHEREAS, a cultural access fund could provide reduced or free admission to cultural and scientific facilities, create new or expanded programs, sustain organizations that provide regional cultural benefits, expand educational opportunities in schools, and fund transportation for every public school student to attend or participate in cultural or scientific educational opportunities at least once a year; and
WHEREAS, a cultural access fund for the Central Puget Sound could be funded by an increase of 0.1% (one tenth of one percent) in sales tax for Martin Luther King, Jr., Kitsap, Pierce, and Snohomish counties; and
WHEREAS, this fund would provide the above counties with $67.7 million, with 65% of the funds going to regional organizations, 23% to community-based organizations, 9.5% for public school access and 2.5% for administrative expenses; and
WHEREAS, special taxing districts help maintain cultural resources in numerous other areas, including Salt Lake City, Pittsburgh, Portland, San Francisco, and Denver; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council will work to support enabling legislation in the state legislature and action by the county governments involved to create a Cultural Access Fund in Central Puget Sound and in other areas of the state.
SUPPORT OF A STATE CARBON TAX AND DIVIDEND
Resolution #7
WHEREAS, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has reported that “most of the observed increase in globally-averaged temperatures since the mid-twentieth century is very likely due to the observed increase in human-induced greenhouse gas concentrations,” and the IPCC also predicts probable damages (“Climate Change 2007, Synthesis Report,” www.ipcc.ch); and
WHEREAS, about thirty percent of Puget Sound’s marine life is endangered by the increasing acidity which is considered by most scientists to be caused by carbon dioxide emissions; and
WHEREAS, the members of the Washington State Legislature have considered enacting a carbon tax program in order to reduce state carbon dioxide emissions; and
WHEREAS, British Columbia has successfully adopted a carbon tax program, which has led to many consumers there purchasing more fuel efficient cars or driving less; and
WHEREAS, a carbon tax is projected by many economists to be more efficient than unwieldy cap and trade emissions trading, and more effective at motivating investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy sources that would create jobs and stimulate the economy; and
WHEREAS, the annual goals for reduction of emissions could be mapped out for decades to, for example, ultimately achieve at least an eighty percent reduction from the emissions of 1990 by 2050 as advised by climate scientists; and
WHEREAS, the proceeds of a tax could be used to enhance current state revenue to fund meritorious projects such as energy conservation, the production of energy from renewable sources, creating “green” jobs and supporting education programs that train students for green jobs; and
WHEREAS, the Mayors for Climate Protection organization (www.coolmayors.com) has supported mayors nationwide in their efforts to meet or beat the Kyoto Protocol targets (7% reduction from 1990 levels by 2012) in their own communities; and
WHEREAS, the adoption of a carbon tax would improve the quality of the lives of our members; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, will work with the newly re-established Washington Blue-Green Alliance to address the possibility of a carbon tax and/or other methods that will create family wage jobs in the green economy; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO will work with the Blue Green Alliance and other community allies to promote use of revenues from such methods to build the Washington state economy; and be it finally
RESOLVED, that Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, notify affiliates of action that will be taken as a result of this resolution.
RESOLUTION CONCERNING SURFACE WATER QUALITY STANDARDS AND FISH CONSUMPTION RATES
Resolution #8
WHEREAS, in an effort to improve human health criteria the Washington State Department of Ecology is currently reviewing Washington’s surface water quality standards. Standards are determined, in part, by establishing an assumed daily fish consumption rate (FCR) by citizens living in Washington; and
WHEREAS, water quality standards determine the issuance and type of water use permit and set water treatment requirements for industry; and
WHEREAS, the preliminary recommendation by the Department of Ecology is to increase the current FCR from 6.5 grams of fish per person per day to a range of 157 to 276 grams of fish per day, an increase in assumed fish consumption by a factor of 24 to 42 times per person per day; and
WHEREAS, if this recommended increase stands, the assumed fish consumption rates will result in water quality standards that cannot be achieved or measured with today’s technology, potentially eliminating issuance of water use and discharge permits, eliminating industrial operations and jobs; and
WHEREAS, Governor Inslee, in an effort to support the goals of improving human health, protecting the environment, and maintaining the economic health of our state, has decided to assemble an informal panel of advisors from stakeholder groups; including tribes, local government and business groups to advise the Governor on this issue; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, the Washington State Labor Council call on Governor Inslee to appoint members of the labor community to the surface water quality standards rulemaking advisory panel; and, be it further
RESOLVED, the Washington State Labor Council call on Governor Inslee to urge the Department of Ecology to produce surface water quality standards based on scientific evidence, to improve human health, protect the environment, preserve industrial jobs, and which are achievable and measurable; and, be it finally
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council writes a letter to Governor Inslee communicating labor’s concerns and goals of participating in the rule making process in the matter of fish consumption rates and the resulting surface water quality standards.
RESOLUTION TO OPPOSE THE HONORING OF DETAINER REQUESTS UNDER THE “SECURE COMMUNITIES” PROGRAM
Resolution #9
WHEREAS, “Secure Communities” creates an automated information-sharing system through which fingerprints collected by local law enforcement at the time of booking are submitted by local jails to the FBI, who in turn shares those fingerprints with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Once ICE identifies someone suspected of being undocumented, it submits a civil immigration detainer request to ask the local County jail to hold the individual so that ICE can take custody of the inmate; and
WHEREAS, neither State nor Federal law requires a County to honor civil detainer requests; ICE itself has confirmed that detainer requests are not mandatory; and
WHEREAS, while the stated purpose of the “Secure Communities” program is to apprehend undocumented persons who have been convicted of serious crimes, the program operates pre-conviction, and according to the report entitled Law Enforcement Leaders Express Growing Concern with Secure Communities Program by the Law Enforcement Engagement Initiative, the reality is that, more than 60% of all immigrants deported under the program were involved in low-level, minor offenses like traffic violations, or were never convicted of any crime at all; and
WHEREAS, “Secure Communities” hurts community policing initiatives by eroding trust between communities and local law enforcement. A May 2013 report titled Insecure Communities: Latino Perceptions of Police Involvement in Immigration Enforcement issued by the Department of Urban Planning and Policy of the University of Illinois at Chicago explains that “44 percent of Latinos surveyed reported they are less likely to contact police officers if they have been the victim of a crime because they fear that police officers will use this interaction as an opportunity to inquire into their immigration status or that of people they know”. Additionally, the findings reveal that “Rather than feeling safer because of increased police involvement in immigration enforcement, many Latinos feel less safe. Many Latinos say criminals are moving into their neighborhoods, making them and their neighbors less safe, because criminals know residents are less likely to report them to police given the increased involvement of police in immigration enforcement”; and
WHEREAS, the role of the federal government is to enforce the national immigration laws and the role of the local law enforcement is to preserve public safety; and
WHEREAS, “Secure Communities” may silence victims of domestic violence by increasing victims’ fear of contacting the police; in cases of domestic disputes, police sometimes have arrested both parties and victims have ended up in deportation proceedings as a result; and
WHEREAS, “Secure Communities” destroys families and communities; a report by the Applied Research Center found that “There are at least 5,100 children currently living in foster care who are prevented from uniting with their detained or deported parents” and “If nothing changes, 15,000 more children may face a similar fate in the next 5 years.”; and
WHEREAS, “Secure communities” can lead to racial profiling as it can give law enforcement an incentive to arrest and book individuals they suspect of being undocumented so their fingerprints can be checked; and
WHEREAS, “Secure Communities” has led to wrongful detention of individuals, including U.S. Citizens, victims, and witnesses of crimes – in fact is, it flags US citizens five percent of the time; some of which have ended up in deportations proceedings; and
WHEREAS, “Secure Communities” burdens King County taxpayers by requiring the county to absorb the cost of detaining individuals who would otherwise be released by posting bail; A new report issued by the University of Washington, Immigration Detainer Requests in King County, Washington: Costs and Consequence demonstrates that King County is currently paying $1.8 million a year to do ICE’s job for them by honoring all ICE hold requests; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council is in strong opposition to King County Law Enforcement Department or any local government agency contracting with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for the purpose of enforcing federal immigration laws under the Secure Communities program; and, be it finally
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council supports a King County resolution or executive order to not honor detainer requests for persons who have not been convicted of a major crime.
RESOLUTION ON POLITICAL ACCOUNTABILITY
Resolution #10
WHEREAS, the political class made up of two political parties, Democrats and Republicans, have been able to vote on important worker and national issues with no accountability to constituents after being endorsed, funded and assisted by those constituents; and
WHEREAS, after promising or wording carefully crafted replies to specific worker issues, these political incumbents have then voted against the working class of this nation, trade agreements being a perfect example of their duplicity; and
WHEREAS, workers and their allies are facing some crucial issues in the coming months and years with some examples being Social Security, the Trans Pacific Partnership and Fast Track legislation as examples; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Statewide Cope Committee of the Washington State Labor Council shall meet when the need arises to take action in opposition to incumbents who have voted against the best interests of workers of this nation. A meeting shall be initiated when the majority of the Statewide Cope Committee calls for said meeting; and, be it further
RESOLVED, that the committee can recommend, after deliberation to the broader labor movement, sanctions that local unions and local Cope Committees can consider for their own deliberations. All considerations will be on the table, including recommending no endorsement, or to actively oppose a candidate for election; and, be it finally
RESOLVED, that no action by the Washington State Labor Council Statewide Cope Committee shall be binding on any affiliate of the Washington State Labor Council.
OPPOSING THE INTERNATIONAL FREE TRADE AGREEMENT AGENDA
Resolution #11
WHEREAS, flawed trade agreements such as NAFTA and the recently passed Korea, Panama, and Columbia Free Trade Agreements have cost millions of Americans their jobs, and failed to contain labor standards that protect jobs here and workers in those countries; and
WHEREAS, union members in every sector of our movement, whether private or public sectors, industrial or construction sectors, service or healthcare sectors, transportation or retail sectors, hospitality or food service sectors, federal or state sectors, have all witnessed the misery and sometimes devastation whether in our own nation or globally with an example being the recent loss of life in the garment industry in Bangladesh, driven by corporate greed and pressure; and
WHEREAS, education and transparency is paramount in leading the opposition to these corporate driven trade deals, educating members who feel trade just does not affect them, educating local and federal elected leaders, especially those who vote and decide the outcome of these trade arrangements that affect our lives and those of our fellow citizens in his country for decades to come; and
WHEREAS, the Washington State Labor Council, along with the Washington Fair Trade Coalition, has led the fight to oppose these terrible trading arrangements that have worked against our nation’s best interests and benefited corporate interests and the 1%; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council continues to work to address the threat of the Trans Pacific Partnership which is being negotiated behind closed doors as this resolution is being debated; and, be it finally
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council recommends to all affiliates that they budget an annual amount to join the Washington Fair Trade Coalition to bring greater coordination and resolve to the mission of working toward trade arrangements that benefit workers and our nation.
FAIR TRADE AND OUR FEDERAL POLITICIANS
Resolution #12
WHEREAS, trade agreements have been detrimental to workers in the U.S. and globally, with tens of millions of manufacturing jobs lost in the past 20 years of NAFTA and ‘outsourcing of accountability’ as workers are dying on the job in Bangladesh and other countries where multi-national brands have moved their manufacturing; and
WHEREAS, workers and citizens across the U.S., Canada, Mexico and many other countries have expressed similar concerns to their governments over the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) and other free trade policies; and
WHEREAS, Washington State Democrats and Republicans have consistently voted for flawed trade agreements that lower wages and the quality of life for everyone except the CEOs and shareholders of big corporations who bankroll their campaigns; and
WHEREAS, Washington State is facing a huge budget deficit in part because of the corporate rulemaking of trade agreements, where tax payers are supporting companies that move production overseas, corporations use their global supply chains to dodge state tax responsibilities and workers have less buying power, reducing resources Washington State had for health, education and social services; and
WHEREAS, the health of our food supply is at risk because corporations such as Monsanto are at the table writing the TPP, to insure consumers do not have the right to know what is in their food and that trade agreements enable expansion of their markets for genetically modified foods and seeds, which have driven farmers off of their lands and into debt and destitution; and
WHEREAS, the health of communities is threatened by corporate-sponsored free trade, through privatization of natural resources including land and water, and challenges to communities’ rights to self-determination; and
WHEREAS, the pharmaceutical industry is using the TPP to expand their patents on life saving drugs, essentially blocking access to lifesaving drugs for people living with curable and preventable disease all over the world; and
WHEREAS, workers, farmers, civil society, members of the U.S. Congress and Washington State legislators have not had a voice in the negotiations of the TPP, and corporations and the friends of corporations in the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office are calling for ‘fast track’ whereby Congress will forfeit its constitutional responsibility to represent the people in foreign commerce and give up its ability to represent us in the TPP; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council and its affiliates work with the Washington State Fair Trade Coalition to hold a public informational session with our congressional delegation about Fast Track and the TPP; and, be it further
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council will send a letter of demand to our congressional delegation opposing Fast Track and the TPP; and, be it finally
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council will report back to affiliates and the public on the votes taken by our congressional delegation on Fast Track and the TPP prior to the Washington State Labor Council’s COPE convention (if such votes are taken prior).
RESOLUTION ON APPRENTICESHIP
Resolution #13
WHEREAS, the electrical industry is one of the most dangerous industries in America with one of the highest rates of fatalities; and
WHEREAS, electrical work and its safety and reliability effects every member of the American public; and
WHEREAS, the best way to ensure that safe, quality electrical installations are achieved every time is to adequately train electricians; and
WHEREAS, the states of Oregon and Idaho already require that their electricians complete a state licensed apprenticeship or equivalent; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council support public policy changes that require electrical trainees to complete a Washington State certified apprenticeship program, or equivalent, in order to receive their 01 General Electrician certification, or 02 Residential Electrician certification.
CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR TIMELY ACCESS TO CERTIFIED PAYROLL RECORDS
Resolution #14
WHEREAS, underground economy fraud continues to worsen in the construction industry; and
WHEREAS, the 2012 Convention of the Washington State Building and Construction Trades Council passed the Certified Payroll Resolution; and
WHEREAS, great strides have been made in getting certified payroll legislation; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council will continue to make it a priority to get legislation passed so certified payroll can be verified and received in a timely manner.
TRANSPORTATION FOR WASHINGTON
Resolution #15
WHEREAS, the Connecting Washington taskforce estimated the state’s ten-year transportation needs at $50.3 billion; and
WHEREAS, 156 state bridges are “structurally deficient” in Washington and pose a significant economic risk, as well as a safety risk to the public; and
WHEREAS, the Seattle King County Building and Construction Trades Council envisions the following two items as core principles to lay a foundation for building a 21st century transportation system that includes:
- Fix the crumbling bridges and roads we have first, as witnessed by the Skagit incident, this cannot be put off any longer. Infrastructure investment is the most important factor in ensuring that our new investments will create jobs, spur economic growth and improve the safety and health of our communities;
- Complete strategic projects, such as the Gateway to the Sound , completing the “last mile” for Highway 167 and Highway 509 that increase freight mobility; and
WHEREAS, data from American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) spending shows that repair work on roads and bridges generates 16% more jobs per dollar than new bridge and road construction, and public transportation investments generate 31% more jobs per dollar than new construction of roads and bridges; and
WHEREAS, the Seattle King County Building and Construction Trades Council is committed to the “Buy America” provisions in federal transportation funding; and
WHEREAS, the Seattle King County Building and Construction Trades Council supports state and local contracting agencies and subcontractors to procure transportation construction and operating equipment manufactured within Washington State, which has already resulted in a local contract to build streetcars by a union shop in Washington State; and
WHEREAS, with an emphasis on completion of critical transportation projects, as well as, bus rapid transit, passenger rail, and freight rail in Washington State to build and invest in local workers, state approved apprenticeship programs and businesses with the technical know-how for manufacturing and constructing transit, thus creating a new transportation economy that will spur economic and job growth throughout the rest of the 21st century; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council hereby endorses the two principles to:
- Fix what’s broken and save lives
- Complete strategic projects that increase freight and people mobility; and be it further;
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, will work with all Building and Construction Trades unions and other unions to proactively develop and lobby for a balanced, comprehensive statewide transportation package that addresses these principles; and, be it finally
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, will work to lobby for a balanced transportation package budget that addresses the campaign principles in the 2014 Legislative Session.
Resolution in Support of Worker Rights Curriculum
Resolution #16
WHEREAS, economic inequality in America is growing; and those most harmed are those with minimum education, barriers to education and employment, the immigrant community and communities of color; and
WHEREAS, the goal of the education system is to empower our children to reach their full potential and the term “education reform” has been reduced to a weapon for well-funded anti-worker groups in their fight against workers’ rights; and
WHEREAS, the ignorance of knowledge of rights at work and in the community keeps many from exercising their rights to association, free speech; and whistle-blowing, which would equalize economic opportunity for many; and
WHEREAS, the exercise of these important rights would limit the growth of the anti-worker agenda, educate fellow students and/or co-workers and empower our education and employment communities to actively engage in accessing worker rights through their voices and collective actions; and
WHEREAS, a worker rights curriculum would educate young people about their rights and responsibilities at work, allowing them to avoid exploitation, injury; and coercion; and
WHEREAS, in those locations where such a curriculum existed, it has been cut and eliminated under the guise of budget cuts, but in keeping with the anti-worker agenda; and
WHEREAS, for immigrant worker communities, the education of the children about worker rights will assist the entire family in exercising those rights and responsibilities that are due to a common public good; and
WHEREAS, the Education, Training and Apprenticeship Committee of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, sponsors and supports resolutions that move this goal closer to reality, including the support of the Equity in Education project; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, collaborate with Washington State LERC to endorse and support the creation of a worker rights curriculum to be taught to students before the age of 16 (the age of work, generally); and, be it further
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, through its officers, boards, committees and affiliates advance the development of such a curriculum with the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and others; and, be it finally
RESOLVED, that this resolution be advanced to the AFL-CIO national convention for inclusion in its national resolutions, so that other states may work toward the same goal of achievement.
RESOLUTION ON RESPECTFUL WORKPLACE REGULATION
Resolution #17
WHEREAS, the declared legislative purpose of the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act of 1973 (WISHA) is “…to create, maintain, continue; and enhance the industrial safety and health program of the state…”; and
WHEREAS, under WISHA the term “workplace” means any plant, yard, premises, room, or other place where an employee or employees are employed for the performance of labor or service over which the employer has the right of access or control; and includes, but is not limited to, all workplaces covered by industrial insurance under Title 51 RCW, as now or hereafter amended; and
WHEREAS, under the authority of the Director of the Department of Labor and Industries provided in RCW 49.17.040, “The Director shall make, adopt, modify; and repeal rules and regulations governing safety and health standards for conditions of employment as authorized by this chapter…”; and
WHEREAS, RCW 49.17.050(1) requires the Director of the Department of Labor and Industries to, “Provide for the preparation, adoption, amendment, or repeal of rules and regulations of safety and health standards governing the conditions of employment of general and special application in all workplaces”; and
WHEREAS, RCW 49.17.050(3) requires the Director of the Department of Labor and Industries to, “Provide a method of encouraging employers and employees in their efforts to reduce the number of safety and health hazards at their workplaces and to stimulate employers and employees to institute new and to perfect existing programs for providing safe and healthful working conditions; and
WHEREAS, the Director of the Department of Labor and Industries is required under RCW 49.17.050(7) to, “Provide for the publication and dissemination to employers, employees; and labor organizations and the posting, where appropriate, by employers of informational, education, or training materials calculated to aid and assist in achieving the objectives of this chapter”; and
WHEREAS, a disrespectful workplace is one which includes, but is not limited to, intimidation, teasing, threats, domination or harassment; and
WHEREAS, disrespectful workplaces in the State of Washington create adverse health consequences for employees and employers including such impacts as loss of focus when performing hazardous work, which may lead to on-the-job accidents and injuries, elevated stress disorder leading to such work-related problems as distracted driving and operation of equipment, exacerbated anxiety including heightened nervousness and fear which impact job-related concentration and increases risk of mistakes and errors; and
WHEREAS, workplace studies and research have been conducted by the Department of Labor and Industries’ SHARP program, which describe significant levels of workplace “bullying”, which is often used as a factor in determining the existence of disrespectful workplaces; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, supports Washington Administrative Code rule making by the Department of Labor and Industries to establish appropriate workplace criteria and set responsibility for creating and maintaining a respectful workplace; and, be it finally
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, shall transmit this resolution to both the Governor and the Director of the Department of Labor and Industries, stating our support for adopting respectful workplace rules no later than the end of 2014.
RESOLUTION ON ADDRESSING UNEMPLOYMENT AND JOB OPPORTUNITIES IN THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY AND FOR ALL COMMUNITIES OF COLOR
Resolution #18
WHEREAS, inequality of wealth and income is greater in the United States than at any time since the “Gilded Age”; and
WHEREAS, the greatest disparities and inequities of wealth, income and opportunity are borne by communities of color; and
WHEREAS, approximately one-third of all children of color live below the poverty line, compared to 9.5 percent of white children; and
WHEREAS, unemployment for young people of color is two to three times higher than the national average; and
WHEREAS, income levels are related to educational attainment, and while 32 percent of whites hold bachelor degrees, only 19 percent of African Americans and 13 percent of Latinos hold bachelor degrees; and
WHEREAS, there is a huge racial disparity in our criminal justice system whereby African Americans comprising only 12.2% of the population and 13 percent of drug users, make up 38 percent of those arrested for drug offenses and 59 percent of those convicted of drug offenses; and
WHEREAS, the Washington State Labor Council Diversity Committee met and discussed these issues of racial inequality with the Washington Christian Leaders Coalition (WCLC), a state-wide association of predominantly African American clergy; and
WHEREAS, the WCLC asked the Washington State labor Council to support their 2014 legislative agenda to (1) fund statewide Job Readiness Programs (JRP) to help mentor African Americans aged 18-40 having difficulty finding employment, including those coming out of incarceration, to provide them with the tools they will need to enter the workforce; and (2) work with the Washington State Department of Commerce to include communities of color in the state’s economic Strategic Plan, including increasing African American contracting with the Department and its suppliers; and (3) to include a member of the WCLC at the table when Governor Inslee pulls together his jobs plan for 2014; and (4) to increase the number of African American appointments made by the Governor; and (5) to increase educational funding for remedial and enrichment programs to end the disparities in education equality; and
WHEREAS, the aforementioned laudable goals should be pursued to support all communities of color; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, endorses the WCLC 2014 legislative agenda and works with the WCLC and other community-based organizations working to benefit all communities of color, and to create equity in jobs and income opportunities for communities of color in general.
RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT WORKERS OF THE HANFORD ATOMIC METAL TRADES COUNCIL
Resolution #19
WHEREAS, Hanford Atomic Metal Trades Council (HAMTC), a partnership of unions, was chartered in 1947 and decades later still represents 2500 of the best trained, most dedicated workers of the Department of Energy at the Hanford Site in Richland, WA; and
WHEREAS, HAMTC provides family wage jobs of the highest caliber in the region, with workers not only essential to the community for their economic impact, but their strong commitment to public engagement; and
WHEREAS, these workers face daily hazards in both their respective trades and from nuclear and chemical exposure due to the nature of work performed on site; and
WHEREAS, the unions have been negotiating in good faith for over 16 months with the contractors and the Department of Energy, with no resolution in sight and their benefits under attack; and
WHEREAS, the contractors are engaged in a deliberate attempt to decrease union power through the removal of automatic dues deductions, elimination of the defined benefit pension for new employees and the addition of mandatory overtime for all workers; and
WHEREAS, these workers stand to lose hard fought pension, medical and disability provisions, amongst other essential contract agreements; and
WHEREAS, the degradation of these significant benefits presents not only a substantial impact to the workers and their families, but a loss to labor as a whole; and
WHEREAS, labor has worked as one to champion legislative support for these workers; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that delegates of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, extend their support to the HAMTC workers as they proceed through negotiations; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council recommend to its affiliates and allies to support actions as and when requested by HAMTC; and be it finally
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council send a letter to the President and the Washington State Congressional Delegation in support of HAMTC workers.
SUPPORT FOR THE WASHINGTON STATE DREAM ACT
Resolution #20
WHEREAS, the United States is a nation of immigrants, and the history of the growth of the labor movement has been tied to the integration of immigrants, and the labor movement’s recognition that they are us and they make us better; and
WHEREAS, immigrant workers today contribute to the economic, cultural, and political strength of our country, and are indispensable to the industries – agricultural, service, academic, professional, technical – in which they contribute their labor and are organizing into unions; and
WHEREAS, the labor movement remains committed to enacting comprehensive immigration reform that advances immigrant and worker rights; and
WHEREAS, in 2000, Washington’s immigrant entrepreneurs contributed approximately $1.3 billion or 9.8 percent of total state business income and provided thousands of jobs; and
WHEREAS, during the past two decades, the growth of immigrant families in Washington state has led to a rapid increase in the number of immigrant children in our public schools, children who have grown up in Washington, graduated from our high schools and are now young leaders in our communities; and
WHEREAS, in 2003 the Washington State Legislature passed HB 1079 which enables Washington’s young aspiring citizens who have lived in our state at least three years and have graduated from a Washington high school, to pay resident tuition to attend our public colleges and universities; and
WHEREAS, a decade after HB1079 was passed, young aspiring citizens are still categorically denied federal and state-based financial aid, which often means these talented students cannot afford to pursue their dreams of higher education and are forced to live in the shadows; and
WHEREAS, many of the young aspiring citizens groomed to grow Washington’s workforce and economy have obtained legal work permits through the federal government’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and have legal authorization to live and work in Washington State; an
WHEREAS, Washington State makes a significant investment in these students’ education from cradle through high school, and it makes no sense to put up barriers that deny our state the return on investment at the exact point where we can maximize their economic contributions as they enter the workforce as business and labor leaders, teachers and scientists, contributing to our economic success and strengthening the state’s competitive edge in the global economy; and
WHEREAS, the Washington State DREAM Act has overwhelming support from the education community, including the Council of Presidents representing every four-year baccalaureate institution in our state and over 100 Washington State school district superintendents; and
WHEREAS, on March 13th 2013 the Washington State DREAM Act (ESHB 1817) was passed by the Washington State House of Representatives with overwhelming bipartisan support including the majority of support from both parties; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council sign on as a supporter and endorse the Washington State DREAM Act; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the affiliate members of the Washington State Labor Council be urged to endorse the Washington State DREAM Act and develop a plan within their respective unions to support the Washington State DREAM Act; and be it finally
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, go on record as supporting the Washington State DREAM Act which would allow thousands of immigrant children the ability to attend college and create a more prepared workforce, and that the Washington State Labor Council send a copy of this resolution to Governor Jay Inslee, the Speaker of the State House, the Majority Leader of the State Senate and the Washington State Congressional delegation, and that the Washington State Labor Council work with our immigrant rights coalition partners to make sure that the Washington State legislature pass the Washington State DREAM Act.
SUPPORT FOR IMMIGRANT WORKERS IN COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM & IMPLEMENTATION
Resolution #21
WHEREAS, the United States of America was built with the brawn, skills, and intellect of immigrant workers and our national identity has been enriched by a diversity of cultural traditions and rituals; and
WHEREAS, we are united by a deep respect for those who work hard for a living and share our commitment to country, and we must develop a worker program that honors hard work and the contributions immigrants and their families make to our economy, and visas should be tied to workers, not to an employer, to ensure full labor rights including collective bargaining, and a just economy; and
WHEREAS, immigrant workers today contribute to the economic, cultural, and political strength of our country, and are indispensable to the industries – agricultural, service, academic, professional, technical – in which they contribute their labor and are organizing into unions; and
WHEREAS, the exploitation of undocumented immigrant workers places downward pressure on the wages, benefits, and working conditions of all workers,
WHEREAS, we have a broken immigration system that has not been updated for 25 years, which penalizes hard working immigrants who pay taxes and are needed for our economy to function and which tears apart families who simply want to be together; and
WHEREAS, the current immigration system separates hundreds of thousands of children, parents, and families, and America deserves a common sense immigration process, one that includes a roadmap for New Americans who aspire to be citizens, including LGBT families; and
WHEREAS, an immigration process that values family unity must include family preference and enough visas to reunite all families separated by bureaucracy and discriminatory quotas, and family unification must also include the opportunity for family members who have been deported to return and join their families; and
WHEREAS, an immigration system that doesn’t deal with how we regulate the future flow of migration, matching the real needs of our economy and country with the number of foreign workers allowed to legally enter the country each year, leads to shortsighted non-comprehensive policies that enable individual employers or industries to turn permanent jobs into temporary jobs and lobby for the expansion of flawed guest worker programs staffed by workers who are dependent on their employers not only for their wages but their immigration status and who have often have limited civil and employment rights; and
WHEREAS, the border and detention systems have grown exponentially more violent, abusive, and wasteful in the last decade; and
WHEREAS, immigration enforcement has been made worse by increased collaboration between Federal agencies and local law enforcement and has decreased public safety by diverting local law enforcement resources and creating fear and mistrust of the police among our immigrant neighbors; and
WHEREAS, comprehensive legislation should include forward-thinking strategies for how the United States will embrace immigrants and immigration, including adequate resources for local communities to support individuals seeking to legalize their status and policies that help immigrants fully contribute to America’s social, economic, and civic fabric, and ensure that taxpaying immigrants working to adjust their status have access to public benefits; and
WHEREAS, we must ensure that any new immigration process recognizes the unique challenges facing immigrant women, including protections for survivors of violence and human trafficking and a legalization program must value the contributions immigrant women make as workers, entrepreneurs, and mothers; and
WHEREAS, thanks to the work of the Washington State Labor Council and its immigrant rights coalition partners, the Senate passed S. 744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act on June 27 by a vote of 68 in favor and 32 against; and
WHEREAS, thus far the House of Representatives has not yet introduced bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform legislation and, on the contrary, has allowed the Republican-controlled House Judiciary Committee to pass piecemeal enforcement-only legislation; and
WHEREAS, enactment of comprehensive immigration reform legislation that includes a pathway to citizenship is likely to place significant strains on our immigrant rights coalition partners attempting to assist up to an estimated 230,000 undocumented immigrants in Washington State to legalize their status; and
WHEREAS, registering, organizing, and engaging these aspiring citizens has the potential to re-shape the political electorate in Washington State; and
WHEREAS, legalized immigrants are likely to be made ineligible for federally funded public benefits, including access to health care programs funded through the Affordable Care Act, nutrition and other safety net programs, and federal financial aid programs even though they will be paying taxes, like all other Americans, to support these programs; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, strongly supports comprehensive immigration reform which includes legalization and an earned pathway to citizenship for the 11 million undocumented immigrants currently in the U.S., provides equal protection and increased enforcement of labor rights for all workers, including the right to organize, clears the family backlogs so that millions of family members who have filed legal applications can be processed and reunited, ensures due process and fairness in the immigration system, includes the “DREAM Act” which would allow thousands of immigrant children the ability to attend college and create a more prepared workforce, creates an independent Commission on Employment-based Immigration (future flow commission) to match up the needs of our economy with number of foreign workers admitted every year to meet these needs and to recommend policies that promote economic growth and competitiveness while minimizing job displacement, wage depression and unauthorized employment, and that the Washington State Labor Council send a copy of this resolution to President of the United States, the Speaker of the House, the Majority Leader of the Senate and the Washington State Congressional delegation; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, go on record opposing the SAFE Act (“Strengthen and Fortify Enforcement Act, H.R. 2278) and any similar legislation passed out of the House Judiciary Committee by sending a letter to that effect, along with this resolution, to the President of the United States, the Speaker of the House, the Majority Leader of the Senate and the Washington State Congressional delegation and that the Washington State Labor Council work with our immigrant rights coalition partners to ensure that our Congressional delegation reject piece meal enforcement-only legislation; and be it finally
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, work with our immigrant rights coalition partners after enactment of comprehensive immigration reform legislation to ensure, through state and local advocacy, that there will be adequate resources available to support a statewide legalization program, that every effort will be made to organize legalized workers to ensure that they enjoy their full worker rights, and that Washington State will provide needed work and financial supports (health care, child care, financial aid for education and other benefits) to ensure that these legalized workers will be eligible to adjust their status and become citizens.
RESOLUTION ON THE STAND AND THE ADVOCATE
Resolution #22
WHEREAS, corporations have taken over the mainstream media, creating a very highly centralized industry that presents news and analysis with a corporate bias that has little to no understanding of work, working conditions, working people or their organizations; and
WHEREAS, at one time there were hundreds of labor newspapers and newsletters that gave voice to working peoples’ issues, and mainstream media had labor journalists and a labor beat; and
WHEREAS, most working class media no longer exists and there is no longer a labor beat at major newspapers and only a handful of labor journalists at these newspapers across the country; and
WHEREAS, we are fortunate to have two media sources in Washington State providing news and analysis in way that is relevant to the lives working people and their communities, the online newspaper called “The Stand,” put out by David Groves from the WSLC, and “The Retiree Advocate,” put out by the Puget Sound Advocates for Retirement Action; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, will encourage its affiliated local unions to send a mailing to their members asking them to click on to The Stand each morning for their news and to subscribe to the monthly newsletter, The Retiree Advocate, as well.
RESOLUTION ON THE COLUMBIA RIVER CROSSING
Resolution #23
WHEREAS, Interstate 5 is the major artery of our state’s transportation system, moving people and goods around the state, and the Columbia River Crossing (CRC) is a vital part of that system; and
WHEREAS, each year $41 billion worth of commerce crosses the CRC moving goods up and down the West Coast, and this number is predicted to increase to $71 billion by 2030; and
WHEREAS, growing congestion in the CRC corridor threatens freight movement with grave consequences for our region’s jobs and economy; and
WHEREAS, the CRC is the last remaining stop sign on I-5, and it can take hours for traffic to recover from a back-up caused by a bridge lift; and
WHEREAS, an extensive public process over rebuilding the CRC generated 12,000 comments, produced over 1,000 public meetings over a period of 16 years; and
WHEREAS, the CRC replacement is supported by a majority of labor, civic and business interests including the Southwest Washington Central Labor Council, the Columbia Pacific Building and Construction Trades Council, the Washington State Building and Construction Trades Council, and the Amalgamated Transit Union; now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, and its affiliated unions go on record unanimously supporting the CRC replacement, on this day Friday, July 26, 2013, acknowledging that the benefits of building this project, including the light rail component, are in the best interests of the residents, workforce, and businesses of Clark County, as well as in the best interests of Washington State and that we should do all that is within our ability to secure federal and state funding for the CRC replacement project.
BENEFITS OF COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM TO WASHINGTON STATE
Resolution #24
WHEREAS, the legalization of the 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the United Stated has the potential to increase the nation’s GDP by $832 billion over the course of the next ten years, and that over the same time frame, average personal income growth would be increased by $470 billion, 121,000 new jobs could be created annually, and according to the Institute for Tax and Economic Policy newly documented immigrants may pay an additional $109 billion in taxes at the state and federal level, and
WHEREAS, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that over the next decade, the Senate comprehensive immigration reform proposal will reduce the federal budget deficit by a net $175 billion and increase federal revenues by $459 billion, and that between 2023 and 2034, when many undocumented immigrants would earn citizenship, changes in direct spending and revenues would decrease deficits by an additional $700 billion, or 0.2 percent of U.S. GDP; and
WHEREAS, the Center for American progress estimates that comprehensive immigration reform will raise Washington’s gross state product by $21.3 billion, increase the cumulative earning of Washington’s residents by $12.5 billion, add 3,000 jobs annually, and increase Washington’s state and local tax revenue paid by legalized immigrants by an additional $20.2 million annually; and
WHEREAS, the foreign born population of Clark County, is 10 percent foreign born, 32.3 percent being Asian American or Pacific Islander and 22.6 percent being Latino, and that this percentage is growing at a rapid rate; and
WHEREAS, more than 100 small businesses in Vancouver have posted signs in their store windows since July 11 supporting swift action on comprehensive immigration reform legislation, and that Representative Jaime Herrera Beutler is viewed as a critical vote for reform; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, go on record supporting the benefits of comprehensive immigration reform to the State of Washington in general and to Southwest Washington in particular; and be it further
RESOLVED, that a delegation from the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, led by the Southwest Central Labor Council, present a copy of this resolution to Congresswoman Herrera Beutler’s Vancouver office this day of Friday, July 26, 2013 and ask for her support of comprehensive immigration reform with a real pathway to citizenship this year; and be it finally
RESOLVED, that this resolution be forwarded to the entire Washington State Congressional Delegation.
SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION THAT ENABLES THE ESTABLISHMENT OF UNIVERSAL SINGLE PAYER HEALTH CARE
Resolution #25
WHEREAS, although the Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010 is projected to eventually provide access to health insurance to around 30 million more Americans, but still around 30 million additional residents will remain uninsured; and
WHEREAS, in the richest country in the world, even after the passage of health care reform, we do not have a guarantee to universal health care for all; and
WHEREAS, in union contract bargaining across all sectors of the economy, health care benefits have become the number one issue as employers attempt to reduce these benefits in order to increase profits and take advantage of loopholes in the ACA; and
WHEREAS, it is time to advance universal coverage that meets all health care needs, including primary and preventative care, prescription drugs, hospital and emergency services, outpatient services, physical therapy, rehabilitation (including substance abuse), dental care, vision, home health and long term care; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council will work with its affiliates and community partners to extol the benefits of and identify problems with the ACA and continue to implement health care reform at the state level, but also work to improve, enhance and modify the ACA to create the basis for a truly universal, affordable, high quality health care system, including fair treatment of Taft-Hartley plans under the ACA; and, be it finally
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council will work with affiliates and community partners to explore the possibility of working in coalition with others to mobilize around a state based single payer health care system based on the principle value that health care is a fundamental human right.
IN SUPPORT OF PAID SICK DAYS AND FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE INSURANCE
Resolution #26
WHEREAS, most workers have limited paid leave to deal with their health needs, and 40% have no paid sick leave, so that even a minor illness or injury can lead to a family economic crisis; and
WHEREAS, in addition to annual paid sick leave for preventive health care and short term illnesses, from time to time workers need longer periods of time off to welcome a new child, recover from surgery, or care for an aging parent; and
WHEREAS, as Unionists, we are committed to the principle that all workers should have the right to earn paid sick days for routine health needs of themselves and their families, and to periods of paid family and medical leave to care for a new child or serious health condition; and
WHEREAS, the City of Seattle and other jurisdictions have successfully adopted paid sick days standards that protect public health, worker income, and business prosperity; and
WHEREAS, in 2007, the Washington State Legislature passed a limited Family Leave and Medical Insurance program, but did not set up a mechanism for funding the program and has repeatedly postponed implementation; and
WHEREAS, other states, including California and New Jersey, have successfully established programs that provide partial wage replacement during extended leaves to care for a new child or sick family member, or for the worker’s own disability or serious health condition, funded through modest payroll taxes; and
WHEREAS, the “Washington Work and Family Coalition” is working to establish statewide standards for paid sick days and to fully fund and expand the Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program to include caring for ill family members and the worker’s own disability as well as care of a new child, along with longer periods of leave, higher benefits, and premiums based on a percentage of workers’ pay; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, supports the principle and practice of paid sick days and family and medical leave insurance and will work with the “Washington Work and Family Coalition” to promote Paid Sick Days and an expanded family and medical leave insurance program in the state of Washington; and be it finally
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, will forward this resolution to the affiliates of the Council to ask for their support, as well.
RESOLUTION ON THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MARCH ON WASHINGTON
Resolution #27
WHEREAS, August 2013 marks the 50th Anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington, D.C.; and
WHEREAS, the March on Washington was breakthrough event for the civil rights movement, and a defining moment for a generation of activists; and
WHEREAS, A. Philip Randolph, the leading organizer of the March, was President of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, an AFL-CIO affiliate; and
WHEREAS, other labor organizations provided support and resources to the March; and
WHEREAS, equality for all working people is a fundamental value of organized labor; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Supreme Court decision striking a key section of the Voting Rights Act, and the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s killer show that racial justice remains an unfulfilled aspiration; and
WHEREAS, the unemployment rate for African Americans is more than double that for whites, and that for Latinos is half again what it is for whites; and
WHEREAS, it’s still about jobs and equality; and
WHEREAS, CBTU has called for celebrations marking the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the WSLC endorses the call by CBTU for celebrations marking the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington; and be it finally
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, will distribute information on 50th Anniversary celebrations to all its affiliates and urge them to participate.
REGARDING RAILROAD WORKER AND PUBLIC SAFETY REGULATION AND LEGISLATION
Resolution #29
WHEREAS, railroad transportation is a vital infrastructure and industry in Washington State and critical to commerce and the economy; and
WHEREAS, the economic vitality of Washington State requires a strong rail system capable of providing its businesses, ports, and farms with competitive access to North American and international markets; and
WHEREAS, railroads employ over 5,000 workers within the state, providing stable, middle class wages; and
WHEREAS, significant and serious safety concerns exist within railroad operations and infrastructure within Washington which impact members of various crafts of rail labor, including insufficiently and under-maintained foot paths and walkways in both rail yards and along railroad main lines, which rail employees must traverse constantly; and
WHEREAS, three rail employees died and another was critically injured in a tragic, needless accident near Kelso, Washington, in March of 2011 while occupying an unregulated crew hauling transport van operated by a non-union contract company which was struck by a moving train at a private crossing on railroad property; and
WHEREAS, yet another serious crew van transport accident occurred on May 1, 2013, 10 miles north of Pasco, Washington, which injured and endangered the lives of four railroad employees in route from Spokane to Pasco; and
WHEREAS, such contract van services utilized by the railroads operate with minimal regulation or government oversight, and the drivers for these service companies have no requisite training or requirements greater than any other private, non-commercial licensed drivers; and
WHEREAS, significant rail workplace safety issues exist regarding such crew hauling operations which have contributed to many other injurious accidents affecting railroad workers; and
WHEREAS, railroad yardmasters who act as traffic controllers in rail facilities are not subject to the Federal Railroad Hours of Service laws that limit the number of hours a railroad crew can perform service. Many yardmasters are required to perform service for 16 hour shifts with only 8 hours off between shifts, which creates a situation where sleep deprived yardmasters endanger the lives and safety of both railroad workers and the public; and
WHEREAS, on Saturday July 6, 2013 a runaway freight train on the Montreal, Maine and Atlantic Railway en route to the US, caused catastrophic destruction of the town of Lac Megantic, Quebec, Canada, located 20 miles from the Maine border, taking the lives of 47 people. This train containing hazardous material freight cars was left unattended for the night on a railroad that has chosen to operate their trains without Conductors so that they only have to pay only an Engineer, who they expect to perform all of the duties of a two person crew, all in the interest of their corporate and personal profits without regard for the safety of the public of their employees by using only one person train crews; and
WHEREAS, the Washington State Utilities and Transportation Commission inadvertently requested that its own legislative authority over the safety of railroads be and was repealed (RCW 81.44.065) in 2007, which has resulted in raising the question of which agency of Washington State government now has such responsibility as well as which department may be best suited to enforce railroad safety regulations; and
WHEREAS, adoption and enforcement of stringent safety regulations for railroad workplace safety as well as public safety issues is critical; and
WHEREAS, a determination of which state agency shall be entrusted with such authority must be made; and
WHEREAS, state regulatory authority needs to be established over railroad crew van transport contract operators; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, at its 2013 convention hereby supports and endorses the following legislation related to railroad workplace and public safety;
HB 1620/SB 5720 to mandate the adoption of state regulatory authority of crew hauling contract operations and firms utilized by railroads and other transportation industry carriers; and
HB 1621/SB 5721 which would adopt and mandate the identical Federal Hours of Service regulations affecting railroad operating crews for all railroad Yardmasters working within the State of Washington; and
SB 5722 / HB 1845 which would begin the process for consolidation of all State of Washington railroad operational and regulatory functions from three state agencies and ten local governments and combine it all into just one agency – the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission; and, be it further
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council advocate for legislation to be drafted and adopted to reinstitute a mandatory minimum railroad crew size consisting of no less than two qualified operating craft employees on all trains and rail operating assignments within the State of Washington; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, strongly endorses and urges the Washington State legislature to work in close cooperation with rail labor organizations to critically examine and develop an expanded and effective rail safety enhancement and enforcement program in order to provide increased protection of both railroad employees and the public; and be it finally
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, hereby determines that the resolution of these critical railroad safety issues shall be a priority in our 2014 WSLC legislative agenda.
RESOLUTION TO IMPROVE WORKFORCE DATA
Resolution #30
WHEREAS, students, businesses, education and training institutions, and public policy officials must routinely decide where to invest scarce resources based on an incomplete understanding of the current workforce and projected demand for specific skills; and
WHEREAS, without viable, comprehensive, timely and accessible labor market and education data, public policies and private investments are heavily weighted by anecdotes of skills shortages, in-demand degrees and available talent; and
WHEREAS, there has been progress nationally and in individual states to develop and align education and workforce administrative records to improve labor market information for students, workers, communities, industries and public officials; and
WHEREAS, Washington state is a leader in this effort; and
WHEREAS, however, there remain remarkable gaps in capturing occupation-specific data, connecting education and workforce data across agencies and states, procuring support from employers to provide additional workforce information, and securing consistent state and federal support to develop education to workforce data systems; and,
WHEREAS, such national organizations as the AFL-CIO, Communications Workers of America (CWA), International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE), National Skills Coalition, National Employment Law Project, Association for Career and Technical Education, National Association of State Directors of Career Technical Education Consortium, and the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation have come out in support of recent “overdue” efforts to improve occupation data across the workforce; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO advocate for data-driven workforce development policies, using comprehensive, timely and viable labor market information regarding supply, demand, shortages and other workforce trends by occupation; and, be it finally
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO support efforts nationally and regionally to improve workforce and education data collection and alignment to enhance labor market research capabilities while maintaining student, worker and employer privacy.
IN SUPPORT OF STATE EMPLOYEES’ COMPETITIVE CONTRACTING PROCESS
Resolution #31
WHEREAS, It is a widespread myth that “privatization” or “outsourcing” means “better, faster, cheaper”; and
WHEREAS, the outright prohibition of contracting for state employees’ work was negotiated into a statutory competitive process, but there have been many attempts to side-step that process in the recent years; and
WHEREAS, RCW 41.06.142 provides state employees an opportunity to react to management’s decision to contract by showing they can do the work more effectively, more efficiently, or cheaper in-house; and
WHEREAS, the taxpayers deserve a showing that the work their tax dollars pay for will be performed in a cost-efficient, timely, and effective manner; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council oppose any legislation seeking to weaken or provide an exemption from the competitive process in RCW 41.06.142; and be it finally
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council will communicate these positions to the appropriate legislative committees, legislators, and the Governor should such legislation be introduced.
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PROTECTING THE RETIREMENT SECURITY OF PUBLIC SERVANTS
Resolution #32
WHEREAS, defined benefit pension plans provide public servants who devote a career to the citizens of our state, the stability and lifestyle they deserve in retirement; and
WHEREAS, in the last three legislative sessions there have been bills which threatened to eliminate defined benefit pensions and which undermine the strength of our pension funding mechanisms for public sector plans; and
WHEREAS, the national trends in private sector retirement have been to leave career employees to the unstable and more costly hands of the stock market and brokerage firms by offering only 401k or other defined contribution plans, leaving bottom lines a higher priority than an employee’s retirement security; and
WHEREAS, Social Security benefits are a vital leg of retirement security across the nation by providing a modest base for retirement income to build upon; and
WHEREAS, we believe that career employees not only deserve security, but a chance for prosperity in retirement for their service; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the WSLC support public sector career employees by protecting defined benefit pensions against attacks from the legislature and advocating for full funding of the plans; and be it finally
RESOLVED, that the WSLC defend attacks on our social security program across the nation by advocating for the prioritization of workers retirement security in the AFL-CIO’s national political agenda.
ENSURING ACCESS TO RETIREMENT SECURITY FOR ALL WORKERS
Resolution #33
WHEREAS, financial security after a lifetime of work is an essential element to all working people; and
WHEREAS, more than 70 million American workers do not have any type of employer-sponsored retirement plan other than Social Security; and
WHEREAS, over half of the America’s lowest wage earners have no retirement savings at all; and
WHEREAS, the result of this inability to save for retirement will drive millions of American workers into poverty in their retirement years or force them to continue working in low wage jobs as they advance in years; and
WHEREAS, members of the Washington State Labor Council strongly believe that all workers deserve the opportunity to live comfortably in retirement after a career of work; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council support legislation that establishes access to retirement savings for all workers who do not have access to employer sponsored retirement savings plans.
REGARDING SUPPORT OF THE ASSOCIATION OF WASHINGTON ASSISTANT ATTORNEYS GENERAL AND THEIR ABILITY TO FORM A UNION
Resolution #34
WHEREAS, the Office of the Attorney General (AGO) is the chief legal office for the state of Washington and employs more than 500 attorneys who provide vital legal services to more than 230 state agencies, boards and commissions; and
WHEREAS, the litigation, advice and other services provided by the AGO are crucial to the ability of the state agencies, boards and commissions to function and fulfill their obligations to the citizens of the state of Washington; and
WHEREAS, attorney salaries in the AGO have remained stagnant for years, while they have faced a 3% salary reduction, and increased costs for health insurance premiums, deductibles and co-pays; and
WHEREAS, the AGO does not have a salary schedule with regular step increases for assistant attorneys general, unlike any other agency in state government, and the attorneys have no mechanism through which to effectively bargain for salary increases; and
WHEREAS, the AGO has experienced increased difficulty retaining attorneys due to the disparity in wages paid to AGO attorneys as compared to attorneys in other public sector positions; this type of turnover negatively impacts morale and interferes with the ability of the office to succession plan and does not benefit the citizens; and
WHEREAS, despite efforts to obtain salary increases, the current and former AGO administrations have been unsuccessful in the pursuit of legislative relief to address the crisis being created by the AGO’s stagnant salaries; and
WHEREAS, the Association of Washington Assistant Attorneys General (AWAAG) was formed to advocate for salaries, benefits, and workplace policies that will foster job satisfaction and the highest standards of professional competence among AGO attorneys; and
WHEREAS, AGO attorneys are legally precluded from forming a union to collectively bargain for fair wages, benefits, and working conditions; and
WHEREAS, AWAAG intends to pursue legislation that would allow AGO attorneys to collectively bargain for fair wages, benefits, and working conditions; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council supports the efforts of the AWAAG to obtain fair wages, benefit and working conditions for the attorneys of the AGO; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council will support legislation that empowers AGO attorneys to form a union and engage in collective bargaining; and be it finally
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council’s Legislative Department will request our affiliates to promote and pass legislation that allows for AGO attorneys to form a union and engage in collective bargaining.
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF I-522
Resolution #35
WHEREAS, Initiative 522 would require the labeling of genetically engineered foods, making the public aware when Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are being put into our food; and,
WHEREAS, GMO wheat, that escaped into the wild, shut down wheat exports from Washington and Oregon this year and cost our state untold amounts in wages, revenue and profits; and,
WHEREAS, GMO crops often rely on high levels of pesticide use and contribute to farm workers and their families being sickened by exposure to pesticide drift; and,
WHEREAS, it is our responsibility as workers to expose the hypocrisy of greedy corporations like Whole Foods that would try to co-opt this movement while sacrificing community and food safety interests; and,
WHEREAS, we defend the rights of all workers to know what’s in their food before they purchase and eat it; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council work with the I-522 campaign and our directly affected affiliates toward the goal of endorsing the initiative.
RESOLUTION TO CREATE THE WASHINGTON INVESTMENT TRUST (TO WIT–A STATE BANK OWNED BY AND FOR THE PEOPLE OF WASHINGTON STATE)
Resolution #36
WHEREAS, Washington residents continue to suffer from the serious and depressing economic conditions brought about by reckless financial speculation by Wall Street, that has been exacerbated by banking deregulation and shamefully irresponsible lack of enforcement of existing national banking and investment laws and regulations; and
WHEREAS, the American monetary system and Federal Reserve’s economic model are draining the wealth of the people of Washington State in favor of Wall Street bankers and bond brokers, which results in reduced tax payments to the State and diminishing of state resources, thus damaging legislative efforts to effectively and efficiently manage the demands required to provide good governance; and
WHEREAS, since 1919 the People of North Dakota have owned and benefited from the successful operation of the Bank of North Dakota, controlled by the people for the benefit of the people, the specific purpose of which has been to provide an in-state depository for the holding, management and distribution of the fees and taxes collected from the operation of the government of North Dakota; and
WHEREAS, the People of North Dakota have significantly benefited from the Bank of North Dakota which has paid the state treasurer more than $325 million from bank profits over the past ten years; and
WHEREAS, the Bank of North Dakota is attributed with being the cause for the North Dakota economy topping the list of state economies year after year, and with being the only state that has had a continuous budget surplus since before the financial crisis of 2008; and while the rest of America has been enduring a chronic recession, the state of North Dakota has enjoyed the largest budget surplus in its history; and
WHEREAS, the Bank of North Dakota is attributed with being the cause why in 2011 the People of North Dakota saw almost $500 million returned to them in income and property tax cuts and will enjoy a 30% decrease in tax liability when combining 2009-2011 tax cuts; and
WHEREAS, the Bank of North Dakota works with, and supports, community banks by providing liquidity and joint participation loans, which leverages community bank lending capacity to their communities and has resulted in the State of North Dakota having the most decentralized banking system in the United States with the most community banks per capita of any state and has had no bank failures since the Great Recession; and
WHEREAS, abandonment of 1930s-era federal banking regulations have resulted in the demise of many Washington state banks and of national and regional banks formerly headquartered in Washington state; and
WHEREAS, the Bank of North Dakota’s lending capacity, built over its 93 year history, supports infrastructure development in a way that the State of North Dakota has no debt service obligation appropriation in its budget. This is in contrast to Washington State’s ongoing biennial appropriation of nearly $2 billion in debt service, which is direct profit to Wall Street, yet to continue to maintain and build infrastructure to support economic development the state needs to sell even more bonds to Wall Street investors costing taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars in excessive interest and diverting funds from other much needed programs; and
WHEREAS, most high achieving global economies like Germany, Japan, Brazil, Russia, India and China have successfully financed their development because of their publicly owned banks; and
WHEREAS, small businesses, who employ 80% of workers in the State of Washington, have experienced great difficulties in obtaining necessary capital as a result of the recession that began in 2008 and which result from the monetary policies of the national banking system under the control of the Federal Reserve System; and
WHEREAS, The Bank of North Dakota consolidates the handling of all state funds, while in Washington State various economic development and home ownership programs have limited authority, which may be more efficient if consolidated within one agency; and
WHEREAS, Colorado Treasurer Walker Stapleton recently attended a National Conference for State Treasurers held in Bismarck, North Dakota and following a thorough presentation about the Bank of North Dakota has expressed his support for a Bank of Colorado following the North Dakota model; and
WHEREAS, a publicly owned bank of Washington State (known as the Washington Investment Trust) would act as a central banker and participate in commercial loans, thereby expanding commercial credit in the state; and
WHEREAS, a Washington Investment Trust would have the ability to self-fund capital projects, keep money local, and absorb debt capacity, thereby allowing the State to keep more people in their homes and on their farms; and
WHEREAS, a Washington Investment Trust would streamline and create efficiencies of the State’s numerous existing revolving loan programs and leverage their capacity to work for the people of Washington State while lowering overhead and exercising efficiencies of scale; and
WHEREAS, once established, the Washington Investment Trust would not only foster economic development but pay its own operating costs and any profits can be given as dividends to the State; and
WHEREAS, a Washington Investment Trust opens up revenue options without taxation; and
WHEREAS, the recent Washington State legislative session exposed a serious lack of resource and bonding capacity to deal with the state’s overwhelming capital needs; and
WHEREAS, a Washington Investment Trust can grow in capacity to be an unparalleled resource for future generations of Washingtonians; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, endorse creation of the Washington Investment Trust, similar to HB 2434 [2012]. The State Bank shall be overseen by a Commission that is fully accountable and transparent to the people. The State Treasurer shall be required to fund the bank with state monies and funds. The Washington Investment Trust shall have the same authority to operate as a private bank chartered under Washington state law; and, be it further
RESOLVED, that the Washington Investment Trust shall administer its funds in the best interest of and in a manner most suitable and beneficial to the people of Washington State; and, be it further
RESOLVED, that its primary goals are long term growth, to make low-cost loan funds available to cities, counties and other communities within Washington State, and to stimulate infrastructure and economic development to create new family wage jobs, support community stability, equity of opportunities, and quality of life; and, be it finally
RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to relevant officials along with a request for response within thirty days, listing the actions they are willing to take to support this resolution or a list of the reasons explaining why it cannot be supported.
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE WASHINGTON STATE CHAPTER OF THE ALLIANCE FOR RETIRED AMERICANS
Resolution #37
WHEREAS, the Alliance for Retired Americans was established by the AFL-CIO and their member international affiliated labor unions in May of 2001, the national offices of the Alliance for Retired Americans has had a primary objective to enroll and mobilize retired union members and other senior and community activists into a nationwide grassroots movement advocating a progressive political and social agenda-one that respects work and strengthens families; and
WHEREAS, the long-term goal of the Alliance is to become the voice for all older Americans by engaging in important political battles to protect and preserve programs vital to the health and economic security of older Americans, the Alliance will gain recognition as the country’s leading progressive grassroots senior organization; and
WHEREAS, the National Alliance for Retired Americans is committed in helping to build a strong organization of seniors with a viable structure, ample resources and clear objectives – a structure compatible with that of the labor movement and community-based groups at local, state and national levels; and
WHEREAS, a great majority of the services and programs that seniors and other retirees need are provided at the local, county and state levels; state chapters have been formed to inform, assist and mobilize our retirees and community members; and
WHEREAS, these activities required funding, funding that currently is insufficient in Washington State due to little or no commitment from the Washington State Labor Council and many of its affiliates, to fulfill the mission of the Washington State chapter of the Alliance for Retired Americans and to continue receiving grant monies from the National Alliance; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the WSLC become and remain a sustaining state sponsor of the WSARA; and be it finally
RESOLVED, that the WSLC urge its local affiliated unions to consider, on an annual basis, becoming and remaining members of the WSARA at no less than the sponsoring level.
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