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 2018 Constitutional Convention held July 17-19 at the Coast Wenatchee Hotel and Convention Center.
(Some resolution numbers are skipped because those proposed resolutions were withdrawn, tabled, rejected, or merged with a similar submission.)
1. RESOLUTION REGARDING “ALL IN FOR WASHINGTON”
2. RESOLUTION REGARDING CONSTITUENCY GROUP VICE PRESIDENT CANDIDATES
3. UNITE AND STAND UP FOR COMMUNITIES UNDER ATTACK
4. RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF REPRESENTATION FOR AFL-CIO CONSTITUENCY GROUPS
5. IN SUPPORT OF THE GOLDENDALE PUMPED STORAGE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT
6. REGARDING RAILROAD OCCUPATIONAL AND PUBLIC SAFETY REGULATION AND LEGISLATION
9. RESOLUTION REGARDING THE JUST TRANSITION COMMITTEE
10. RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE STABLE BASELINE FUNDING TO THE FOUNDATION FOR WORKING FAMILIES
13. RESOLUTION PROMOTING PREVENTION OF WORKPLACE VIOLENCE IN HEALTH CARE
14. RESOLUTION IN CONTINUED OPPOSITION TO THE EXPANSION OF NEW SEASONS MARKET IN WASHINGTON STATE
15. RESOLUTION ON IMMIGRATION AND THE LABOR MOVEMENT
16. RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF TRANSITION FUELS
17. LEGISLATIVE SUPPORT FOR ZERO ASBESTOS POLICY
18. LEGISLATIVE SUPPORT FOR ASBESTOS REMOVAL
19. RENEWING THE CALL FOR FULL SUPPORT OF THE LABOR COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM
20. RESOLUTION ON CONSISTENCY CHANGES FOR THE WSLC, AFL-CIO CONSTITUTION
21. 2018 RESOLUTION ON CHANGING ECONOMY AND JUST TRANSITION
22. RESOLUTION REGARDING STATEWIDE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR COUNCIL MEMBERS ON THE WSLC EXECUTIVE BOARD
23. RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF LABOR SOLIDARITY POST-JANUS
25. ADDRESSING SECURE SCHEDULING ACROSS INDUSTRIES
26. ENDING SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE AT WORK
27. ADDRESSING OUR UPSIDE DOWN TAX SYSTEM THROUGH THE WORKING FAMILIES TAX REBATE
28. RESOLUTION ON WORKER PRIVACY
RESOLUTION REGARDING “ALL IN FOR WASHINGTON”
Resolution #1
WHEREAS, the Washington State Labor Council Constitution states: “… to the more effective organization of working men and women; … to the achievement of a higher standard of living and working conditions; to the attainment of security for all the people; to the enjoyment of the leisure which their skills make possible; and to the strengthening and extension of our way of life and the fundamental freedoms which are the basis of our democratic society”; and
WHEREAS, the Washington State Labor Council Constitution states: “To combat resolutely the forces that seek to undermine the democratic institutions of our nation and to enslave the human soul”; and
WHEREAS, the Washington State Labor Council Constitution states: “To strive always to win full respect for the dignity of the human individual whom our unions serve”; and
WHEREAS, the top one percent pays 2.6% in state taxes, the middle twenty percent, of working men and women, pays about six times the amount of the top one percent which is 12.7% in state taxes; and the bottom twenty percent, of working men and women, pay about eight times the amount of the top one percent which is 17.3% in taxes; and
WHEREAS, working men and women, the bottom 40%, carry the top one percent to retirement while working families face the fear of possibly never being able to purchase a home; and shoulder a state tax system that burdens working families with the responsibility of providing for state function; where the norm of starting out in life is for the bottom 20%, who rely on state programs, to be shamed for accepting help to make it to a better tomorrow, or possibly never having a pension that they can retire on; and
WHEREAS, Washingtonians are uninformed about our regressive tax code; which is last place as the most upside-down state tax code out of all 50 states in this nation; and whereas Idaho beats Washington with a more progressive state tax system; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Purpose and Declaration of Principle of the Washington State Labor Council is to propose, support, and promote legislation favorable to and to oppose legislation detrimental to the interests of workers and organized labor; and be it further
RESOLVED, the Washington State Labor Council will carry the torch of education and join All in For Washington to further inform all Washingtonians about our upside-down state tax code; and be it further
RESOLVED, the Washington State Labor Council will participate in or take on a leadership role in the campaign All in For Washington to help cultivate thoughtful reform that joins all Washingtonians and Union members together. We will continue to organize the unorganized to not only join together, but fight together and win together; and be it finally
RESOLVED, that this resolution will be an action of the Washington State Labor Council continuing to honor Resolution #4 from the 2017 WSLC Convention, CALLING FOR A STRATEGIC PLAN TO RECLAIM THE POWER OF THE LABOR MOVEMENT. This is accomplished by fighting for a state tax plan that would free those being oppressed by our current regressive tax system, such as, working men and women, our union members, working class heroes.
RESOLUTION REGARDING CONSTITUENCY GROUP VICE PRESIDENT CANDIDATES
Resolution #2
WHEREAS, constituency groups affiliated with the WSLC are a critical part of the functioning of the WSLC; and
WHEREAS, the Constituency Group Vice Presidents on the WSLC Executive Board are elected on a statewide basis; and
WHEREAS, the current language in the WSLC Constitution enables a qualified member to run as a candidate for Vice President without the sanction of the Constituency Group and even against the wishes of the Constituency Group; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, that Article V.4(a) of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO Constitution be revised to ensure Constituency groups have the ability to select their candidates for the positions of Vice President; and be it finally
RESOLVED: that Article V.4(a) be revised as follows:
V.4(a) Representatives of the eight (8) constituency/allied groups (APRI, APALA, ARA, CBTU, CLUW, LCLAA, PAW and WA YELL) shall be elected on a statewide basis. In order to be eligible, candidates must be active members of the constituency group in their areas, as defined by their bylaws. Candidates are required to be members of an affiliated union, as well as the constituency group, and must have five (5) valid nominations from other affiliated unions. If there is more than one chapter of a constituency group in the state, the combined chapters shall determine their designated nominee. The constituency groups shall contact the Secretary Treasurer, in writing, and have the name of their designated choice to fill the Executive Board position placed on the ballot. Only the constituency allied organization nominee shall be placed on the ballot. In the event no nominee is put forward by the constituency group, the nomination shall be open to all eligible candidates. Final election of the Constituent Vice Presidents will be based on the total number of ballots cast for each position.
UNITE AND STAND UP FOR COMMUNITIES UNDER ATTACK
Resolution #3
WHEREAS, the attack on protesters in Charlottesville, VA on August 12, 2017 shows that there remains a serious threat; and
WHEREAS, groups that have an anti-worker agenda that includes breaking unions, gutting the social safety net, privatizing public education, eviscerating environmental laws, deregulating banking and other industries, militarizing the police, waging endless war, and weakening civil rights protections; and
WHEREAS, working people are in the streets confronting violence, and would greatly benefit in this battle from labor’s experience, discipline, and resources; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED that the Washington State Labor Council will encourage its locals to form united fronts with activists from a broad range of perspectives in order to organize protests against, and ongoing resistance to, these threats; and be it finally
RESOLVED that WSLC join with other unions and targeted communities to organize a program that counters these groups with principles that include:
- Stop attacks on immigrants, Muslims and Jews, refugees, people of color, women, activists, LGBTQIA+, people experiencing poverty, and labor;
- Defend unions – stop right-to-work laws and expand collective bargaining rights;
- Jobs for all through rebuilding the infrastructure and public jobs programs funded by taxing corporate wealth;
- Defeat attempts to destroy the safety net, including subsidized healthcare;
- To engage, educate, and demonstrate the value of unions to such issues, especially to engage youth such matters;
- Finding credible actions which can directly address such issues which individuals and community groups may take.
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF REPRESENTATION FOR AFL-CIO CONSTITUENCY GROUPS
Resolution #4
WHEREAS, the AFL-CIO has chartered constituency groups to represent communities that have been historically marginalized and excluded from positions of power and influence in the labor movement; and
WHEREAS, those constituency groups include the A. Phillip Randolph Institute, AFL-CIO Union Veterans Council, Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, Coalition of Labor Union Women, Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, and Pride At Work; and
WHEREAS, each constituency group represents the unique history and lived experience of its own community; and
WHEREAS, the Washington State Labor Council has afforded each constituency group that exists in Washington State representation at its conventions and on its Executive Board; and
WHEREAS, these constituency groups and their individual members have made many contributions to the whole labor movement, to the Washington State Labor Council, and to the Central Labor Councils under its jurisdiction; and
WHEREAS, these constituency groups help link organized labor to marginalized communities, educate members of their own communities about labor issues, and advise AFL-CIO affiliates about how best to represent their members from marginalized communities; and
WHEREAS, Resolution 19, passed at the AFL-CIO Convention in October, 2017, explicitly called for “Diverse and Inclusive Leadership for a Thriving Labor Movement;” and
WHEREAS, representation of the unique voices of women, veterans, communities of color, and the LGBTQ community is and should remain a key labor value; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council finds that each constituency group forms a vital part of the modern labor movement; and be it finally
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council recommends to the Central and Regional Labor Councils that they afford representation in their delegate bodies and on their Executive Boards to local chapters of each of the AFL-CIO constituency groups, where such chapters exist; and be it finally
RESOLVED,that the Washington State Labor Council opposes any attempt by Central Labor Councils under its jurisdiction to withdraw from AFL-CIO constituency groups any representation rights that they currently enjoy.
IN SUPPORT OF THE GOLDENDALE PUMPED STORAGE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT
Resolution #5
WHEREAS, the Washington State Labor Council believes it is the Labor Movement’s obligation to rebuild the middle class through obtaining and sustaining jobs that provide family wages and benefits; and
WHEREAS, the Washington State Labor Council also believes in the need for a just transition to greener energy sources, and whole-heartedly rejects the assertion that we must choose between quality jobs and a healthy environment; and
WHEREAS, in recognizing the need for those greener sources of energy, it is also important to recognize the storage limitations of solar and wind-generated power; and
WHEREAS, pumped storage is the only proven, cost-effective storage at scale, and consists of pumping or generating by moving energy in the form of water through a powerhouse between an upper and lower reservoir; and
WHEREAS, the Washington State Labor Council embraces the opportunity to contribute to the just transition by constructing a pumped storage site which will be strategically located in Goldendale, Washington to support de-carbonization goals affordably and reliably; and
WHEREAS, the Washington State Labor Council is currently working with developers National Grid and Rye Development to ensure that this $2.24 billion energy project is built by skilled Union tradesmen and tradeswomen, along with their apprentices, under a Project Labor Agreement which reflects the value and capabilities of American workers; and
WHEREAS, studies have indicated that the construction of this facility will result in the equivalent of 3,164 full-year jobs with over $190.3 million in wages, with on-site construction lasting approximately 4 years; and
WHEREAS, lengthy and sizable construction projects such as this one are essential for the Building Trades Unions to start the next generation of skilled craft workers in a career that provides the level of wages and benefits required to maintain a successful family life in the local community; and
WHEREAS, the Washington State Labor Council is committed not only to securing family-wage jobs for its members, but also for others in the community to better the quality of life for all working people; and
WHEREAS, it is estimated that this project will create another 3,486 indirect and induced jobs during the construction period, along with 32 direct and another 40 indirect and induced operation and maintenance jobs once construction is complete; and
WHEREAS, financial support for state and local essential services is an important component in creating and maintaining healthy communities; and
WHEREAS, this project is projected to generate approximately $44.4 million in state and local revenue during construction, plus an estimated $15.1 million in property taxes revenues for Klickitat County, which will go to fund local and state school districts, county roads, local fire, hospitals, parks and library districts; and
WHEREAS, the WSLC and all of its affiliates are proud partners with and members of the Global Labor Movement; and
WHEREAS, the WSLC understands there is currently a labor dispute between the United Steel Workers and the National Grid in the Northeast United states; and
WHEREAS, it is abhorrent and an affront to organized workers everywhere for any employer to lockout its workforce and/or replace their organized workforce with scabs or contracting out their work, and
WHEREAS, National Grid has unjustly lockout 1,200 of its employees, who are represented by the United Steelworkers, AFL-CIO; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that this resolution shall only become effective and affirmed upon the conclusion of the aforementioned labor dispute; and
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council confirms its strong support for the Goldendale Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project and pledges to work in all possible ways for the successful permitting and construction of this facility; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council calls on all affiliated locals and members to participate in all public review processes to push for a reliable permitting timeline that will show developers that they can flourish in Washington State, and also to advocate for the high environmental standards, the quality jobs, and the local and state revenues this project will bring; and be it finally
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council will communicate its support to Governor Jay Inslee, the Washington State Legislature and Congressional Delegation, statewide elected officials, and relevant federal, state and local government agencies.
REGARDING RAILROAD OCCUPATIONAL AND PUBLIC SAFETY REGULATION AND LEGISLATION
Resolution #6
WHEREAS, railroads are a vital infrastructure and industry in Washington State, critical to commerce and the economy; and
WHEREAS, the economic vitality of Washington State is predicated on safe, viable rail networks with adequate capacity to provide freight service for our ports, aerospace industry, maritime cluster, agriculture, and other businesses, as well as adequate capacity for passenger rail; and
WHEREAS, railroads employ over 5,000 unionized workers in Washington State and provide stable, family-wage jobs with premium healthcare and retirement benefits; and
WHEREAS, recognizing the inherently dangerous nature of work in railroad occupations, the safety of railroad employees is of paramount concern to rail labor organizations; and whereas unfortunately, significant serious ongoing safety concerns currently exist in railroad operations and rail infrastructure in Washington State, subjecting railroad union members in operating crafts to unacceptable occupational hazards that also frequently endanger public safety, including the following:
- Insufficient and/or poorly maintained walking surfaces, footpaths, and rail yard walkways utilized by railroad crews performing required duties, including but not limited to safety inspections of trains and other safety-related duties;
- Poor lighting conditions in and around rail yards and rail-adjacent industries;
- Dangerous conditions at train crew change points across our state, including unsafe locations that lack proper walkways and/or have steep drop-offs, lack of lighting, inadequate distance or clearance from adjacent tracks, crossings over numerous mainline tracks in high-speed train zones, etc.;
- The lack of maintenance of critical rail appliances and infrastructure, including switches and derails lacking proper ergonomic standards or any physical operational force standards;
- The complete absence of any legal employer obligation to provide protection or coverage for railroad workers who, while on duty, are injured in traffic accidents caused by third parties;
- The absence of any hours of service laws or regulations limiting the length of time on duty or minimum rest requirements for Yardmasters, who are the “rail traffic controllers” of train yards;
- No legal requirements addressing the minimum number of railroad workers required on trains;
- Draconian attendance and outrageous availability policies, contributing to an epidemic of chronic long-term fatigue among most railroad workers;
- No paid sick leave, while railroad companies’ subject workers to severe discipline and/or termination due to illness or injuries sustained by them or their families, and whereas FMLA qualification threshold requirements do not consider rail industry scheduling; and
- No clear state or federal occupational safety regulatory oversight of railroad operational employees, until after a railroad worker is killed on the job, leaving train crew workers in a vacuum without any protection even in situations of intentional endangerment by railroad management; and
WHEREAS, railroad yardmasters, who control train movements in and around the various rail terminals and facilities, are not protected by the Federal Railroad Hours of Service laws, which limit the number of consecutive hours other railroad employees can work to 12, with no less than 10 hours between shifts; and
WHEREAS, many railroad yardmasters are forced to work 16-hour shifts, with only eight hours off between shifts, creating dangerous sleep deprivation situations that endanger the lives and safety of the rail workers they are supervising, the public, and themselves; and
WHEREAS, in 2007 RCW 81.44.065 was inadvertently repealed, resulting in uncertainty as to which state agency has authority over various aspects of railroad safety and/or which department is empowered to enforce railroad occupational and public safety regulations, while four state agencies and ten local governments have different facets of rail regulatory authority; and
WHEREAS, the Federal Railroad Administration of the US Department of Transportation is neither established nor equipped as a railroad worker occupational safety agency, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration within the US Department of Labor declines to assert regulatory authority for the safety of railroad operating crews working on trains; and
WHEREAS, the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries asserts it has no regulatory oversight authority for the safety of railroad workers while in train service, and the Washington State Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC) has unclear and limited authority regarding railroad workplace safety; and
WHEREAS, adoption of railroad safety regulations along with assertive, proactive enforcement are critical to ensure both public and workplace safety, such authority should be coordinated by one state agency; and
WHEREAS, a clear determination of which state agency will be ultimately entrusted with most railroad safety regulatory and enforcement authority must be made; and
WHEREAS, the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO (WSLC) at its previous conventions supported and endorsed the following legislative goals and regulatory outcomes regarding railroad workplace and public safety:
- HB 2944, the Safe Leave Act for Washington Railroad Workers, first introduced in 2018, would ensure that railroad employees in Washington State who work for transportation carriers regulated by the Surface Transportation Board are protected from draconian railroad company attendance and availability policies for illness, it revises the state FMLA eligibility thresholds to allow railroad workers to qualify for family medical leave protections on a basis similar to those granted to airline flight crew employees; additionally, this legislation directs the Washington State Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) to adopt regulations requiring railroad carriers to establish state-approved programs allowing rail workers to absent themselves from duty when experiencing fatigue without being subjected to discipline; it also requires that statistics on rail worker layoffs be reported to the UTC annually for the purposes of examining and improving the safety of railroad working conditions.
- HB 1670/SB 5845, a Washington State bill equivalent to the Federal Hours of Service law that now covers railroad operating craft personnel, to include railroad yardmasters working within the State of Washington.
- HB 1559/SB 5846, establishing a minimum, mandatory railroad crew size of no fewer than two qualified operating craft employees on all trains and railroads operating in Washington State, while also requiring additional crew members for specific trains containing high-risk, volatile hazardous materials, to be positioned on the rear end of these trains to monitor the dangerous cargo and quickly respond to any incident or emergency.
- Continuing to pursue the eventual consolidation of all State of Washington railroad public and workplace safety and regulatory functions under a single agency, the WUTC; substantial expansion of rail occupational safety regulations, as well as the revision of penalties for safety violations, as a deterrent for noncompliance, that are substantive and meaningful based on the profitability of a railroad carrier; granting the WUTC the maximum regulatory authority over railroads permissible under federal law; and providing adequate agency funding to employ additional rail safety inspectors with federalized rail enforcement authority.
- Legislation mandating that railroad companies and their contractors obtain and maintain uninsured motorist insurance coverage adequate to protect railroad employees and their families in the event of an on-duty injury or loss of life while riding in motor vehicles involved in auto accidents caused by third parties; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the WSLC recognizes that crude oil shipments by rail pose a real and potentially deadly threat to both rail workers and the public, and that we strongly urge the Washington State Legislature to work in close cooperation with rail labor organizations to critically examine all aspects of hazardous material and crude-by-rail operations to enhance the safety of rail transportation operations; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the WSLC supports and urges the Washington State Legislature, as well as all Washington State agencies having such authority, to develop a coordinated, consolidated, expanded, and effective rail safety regulatory and enforcement program for the purpose of ensuring increased protection and oversight for the welfare of both the public and railroad workers; and be it finally
RESOLVED, that the WSLC hereby declares that the resolution of these critical public and railroad employee safety issues and the adoption and enactment of this and all similar legislation addressing these matters shall continue to be a part and priority of the 2019 Washington State Labor Council’s legislative agenda.
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING LEGISLATION MANDATING MINIMUM CREW STAFFING REQUIREMENTS ABOARD RAILROAD TRAINS
Resolution #7
WHEREAS, over the past 50 years, US railroads have continuously pursued a reduction in the size of crews operating trains, from six persons down to the current negotiated minimum of two crew members on through freight services; and
WHEREAS, in 1967 Washington State repealed a long-standing law requiring a minimum of six persons on all trains operating within our state, and whereas since that time no standard minimum train crew size requirements have been enacted; and
WHEREAS, the elimination of crew members down to the current negotiated minimum of only two has created a situation that significantly reduces the years of on-the-job experience formerly available on larger crews, which had allowed crew members to develop their skills, knowledge, and territorial familiarity; and whereas this has resulted in a scenario where new and inexperienced train crews are now operating trains without seasoned, well-qualified persons, to the detriment of the safety of the public and the employees alike; and
WHEREAS, railroad operational requirements require that train crews perform numerous tasks while concurrently operating moving trains, which the National Transportation Safety Board has labeled “task saturation,” which can result in crews overlooking specific actions related to safe train operation; and
WHEREAS, on December 18th, 2017 AMTRAK train 501 on its inaugural run on the Point Defiance Bypass, derailed at DuPont, Washington onto Interstate 5, resulting in the deaths of three passengers as well as injuries to eighty persons including 62 train passengers and 18 occupants of motor vehicles on the highway; and
WHEREAS, AMTRAK 501 was operated by a single crewmember who received extremely minimal familiarization on this new territory before being designated by the railroad carrier as “territorially qualified”, also aboard in the locomotive cab was a conductor who was riding as student to become familiarized with the run, he had never before traversed this territory, clearly demonstrating why two well qualified crewmembers should be required aboard the head end of all trains; and
WHEREAS, technology, while improving the safe movement of trains, cannot replace the safety and security of having train crews consisting of a minimum of two qualified persons, the presence of whom provides additional safeguards, including the ability of crew members to cross-check and verify each other’s actions and activities while operating trains, to adequately respond to accidents and critical incidents, and to separate rail cars at crossings to allow emergency responders to cross tracks, which is a function that cannot be performed by one person; and
WHEREAS, on July 6, 2013, a Montreal, Maine and Atlantic freight train, staffed by only one crew member, was left unattended and inadequately secured and therefore rolled away, resulting in a major derailment of hazardous oil that caught fire, killing 47 people and causing catastrophic destruction to the town of Lac-Mégantic, Quebec, Canada; and
WHEREAS, between July 24, 2013, and June 22, 2018, there have been 37 major US railroad accidents involving hundreds of death, countless injuries, explosions, fires, and environmental damage; and whereas, on June 3, 2016, a Union Pacific oil train with 96 carloads of flammable crude oil derailed in Mosier, Oregon, on the south shore of the Columbia River Gorge while moving at 26 mph, resulting in an oil leak and fire involving four railcars, and the evacuation of the town for several days; and
WHEREAS, crude oil and hazardous material shipments by rail have increased exponentially in recent years, outpacing rail capacity; first-responder training and state spill response planning are inadequate; and railroad crew fatigue abatement programs are nonexistent, creating public safety and environmental concerns; and
WHEREAS, chronic fatigue is epidemic on US railroads, due to operational requirements that include no regular working schedule for crew members, as well as intentional underemployment policies by the carriers, through which they maximize profits at the expense of public and employee safety, requiring crew members to return to work immediately after the minimum required federal rest period has expired; and
WHEREAS, rail carriers have adopted unreasonably severe attendance policies that punish railroad employees who attempt to take additional time off for illness, to obtain adequate rest or for family matters, resulting in train crew members reporting for work even when they are ill or recognize that they are experiencing fatigue and are not ready for duty, creating a serious employee and public safety risk; and
WHEREAS, in 2014 the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad proposed that freight train crew sizes be reduced to just one person (the locomotive engineer, who would be alone in the locomotive cab and working frequently for as long as 12 hours), and whereas the proposal was rejected by a margin of 83% of rail labor union members voting; and
WHEREAS, Transport Canada, the equivalent of the US Department of Transportation, now requires all trains moving hazardous materials to have a crew of no fewer than two persons, it being recognized that train crews should consist of at least two qualified employees, due to the large number of tasks required of such employees in order to operate a train safely; and
WHEREAS, when considering hazardous commodity train safety, it is irresponsible and illogical to ignore train crew size issues and rail crew response capabilities when considering methods and legislation to increase train safety, as the two are intertwined and inseparable; and
WHEREAS, the placement of additional qualified crew members provides the public and our communities with additional levels of safety on trains transporting dangerous commodities, and ensures that train crews are in a position to recognize and respond quickly to any trouble that may occur en route and available to separate the train quickly if necessary, as well as quickly cut grade crossings for emergency response vehicles that may need to cross the tracks; and
WHEREAS, such legislation was introduced in the 2017–18 Washington State Legislature as HB 1669, with a total of 47 sponsoring representatives (19 Republicans and 28 Democrats) and SB 5846, with a total of 32 sponsoring senators (22 Democrats and 10 Republicans), which constitutes 54% of the entire membership of our legislature, clearly demonstrating the broad popular bipartisan public support for passing this critical landmark state railroad public safety legislation into law; and
WHEREAS, the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO (WSLC), at its 2014 convention, in the interest of public safety and employee safety, passed a resolution to steadfastly oppose any actions to permit one-person train crew operations on Class I railroads operating in our state and elsewhere; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED that the WSLC supports and fervently urges the Washington State Legislature to enact proposed legislation prohibiting one-person train crew operations that are already operating in our state on short-line railroads to the detriment of public safety, and enact minimum two-person crew size requirement on both passenger and freight trains; and be it further
RESOLVED, on trains consisting of large quantities of commodities of highly volatile, flammable, explosive, or radioactive materials, that additional qualified train crew members be required to be positioned on the rear of these trains to provide constant inspection and ongoing monitoring of the transportation of such hazardous cargo; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the WSLC endorses HR 233, the Federal Safe Freight Act, and we hereby strongly encourage all members of our state’s congressional delegation to co-sponsor and seek enactment of this legislation to require that all trains operating in the United States be staffed with a crew of no fewer than two persons, and that it be amended to direct that the states be allowed to continue enacting more stringent railroad crew sizing requirements than this federal law, in the interest of safety; and be it finally
RESOLVED, that the WSLC hereby determines that the enactment of legislation to prohibit one-person train crews and require additional train crew members on hazardous commodity trains shall continue to be a priority of its 2019 legislative agenda.
RESOLUTION REGARDING THE JUST TRANSITION COMMITTEE
Resolution #9
WHEREAS, the Washington State Labor Council recognizes the need for a just transition from the current level and method of fossil fuels usage in the Unites States towards greener and more sustainable energy sources;
WHEREAS, the Washington State Labor Council also recognizes the need to serve its members and all workers in the state by obtaining and sustaining jobs that provide family wages and benefits;
WHEREAS, there continues to be conflict regarding how to create and implement this just transition so that it is both feasible for all those that it will affect, and so that harm to workers is limited if not fully eliminated;
WHEREAS, the best path forward is always one of solidarity within the Labor Movement because there are those that seek to divide us in order to dilute our collective strength; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council shall partner with the Washington State Building and Construction Trades Council and other affiliates to create a Just Transition Committee for the period of one (1) year; and be it further
RESOLVED, that this Just Transition Committee shall be comprised of ten (10) representatives selected by the Washington State Labor Council in consultation with the Washington State Building and Construction Trades Council and other affiliates; and be it further
RESOLVED, that this Just Transition Committee shall meet and review all matters related to the Washington State Labor Council’s environmental advocacy, and also all just transition situations and issues on which the Washington State Labor Council provides feedback, guidance, and/or suggestions, as well those in which it is called on to actively participate at the table; and be it further
RESOLVED, that this Just Transition Committee shall strive for consensus so that the voice of the Washington State Labor Council is one that truly represents all of its Labor affiliates in the state, and be it finally
RESOLVED, the Just Transition Committee shall report back on the Committee’s success at the 2019 Washington State Labor Council Convention.
RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE STABLE BASELINE FUNDING TO THE FOUNDATION FOR WORKING FAMILIES
Resolution #10
WHEREAS, the Foundation for Working Families is a hardship and disaster relief program overseen by the Washington State Labor Council (WSLC); and
WHEREAS, all applications are based on funding availability and priority is given to union members who have experienced a financial hardship and need assistance (for example: eviction notice, gas/power shut off), and
WHEREAS, assistance is limited to a maximum of or equivalent to $500 once every twelve (12) months; and
WHEREAS, current funding is and has been provided by contributions from some Central Labor Councils and local affiliates but demand often exceeds available resources resulting in delays or denials of urgent relief; and
WHEREAS, a stable source of funding will provide adequate resources for the Foundation for Working Families to grant timely hardship and disaster relief to union sisters and brothers in need of a helping hand; and
WHEREAS, union brothers and sisters stand with, by, and support one another, especially in times of need; now therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that WSLC and public employee affiliates urge the Washington Secretary of State to promote Foundation for Working Families as a charity of choice for the Combined Fund Drive; and be it finally
RESOLVED, that the WSLC urges all affiliates to promote the Foundation for Working Families by making a contribution to the FFWF a regular part of their annual budget.
IN SUPPORT OF REST BREAKS AND CLOSING THE MANDATORY OVERTIME LOOPHOLE FOR REGISTERED NURSES AND HEALTHCARE WORKERS TO INCREASE PATIENT SAFETY
Resolution #12
WHEREAS, patients and their families expect to receive exceptional medical care in Washington’s healthcare facilities and hospitals; and
WHEREAS, medical errors are now the third leading cause of death in the United States, just behind heart disease and cancer, according to a 2016 study by researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine, which estimates that more than 250,000 patients are killed by medical errors each year; and
WHEREAS, registered nurses intercept eighty-six percent (86%) of medication errors before there is harm to patients; and
WHEREAS, often the staffing needs of a department may also necessitate the need for more CNAs, technical workers, or other health care professionals who provide direct patient care; and
WHEREAS, registered nurses and health care workers often work a ten or twelve hour shift without time to take rest or meal breaks, and when rest or meal breaks do happen, they are often interrupted, meaning the nurse or worker must return to the job before the break is finished; and
WHEREAS, a Washington state arbitrator recently stated that “the requirement of a nurse on break to be ‘on call’ diminishes the purpose of a break from work”; and
WHEREAS, other professions have recognized that fatigue endangers public safety and have responded by instituting strict limits on overtime and by mandating uninterrupted rest breaks; and
WHEREAS, after working a ten- or twelve-hour shift, many nurses and healthcare workers are called back for mandatory overtime as hospitals and health care facilities respond to chronic nursing shortages by activating on-call nurses; and
WHEREAS, nurses and health care workers who work shifts of twelve-and-a-half hours (12½) or longer are three times more likely to miss things, putting patients at risk; and
WHEREAS, these practices are not safe for nurses, health care workers, or their patients; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, and its affiliates will promote legislation that requires all health care workers to receive uninterrupted meal and rest breaks; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, and its affiliates will promote legislation that closes the mandatory overtime loophole by clarifying that employers may not use prescheduled on-call time to fill chronic or foreseeable vacancies due to staff shortages and that limits mandatory overtime in hospitals and health care facilities; and be it finally
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, and its affiliates will support Washington state nurses and health care workers and prioritize the issue of rest breaks in its 2019 state legislative agenda.
RESOLUTION PROMOTING PREVENTION OF WORKPLACE VIOLENCE IN HEALTH CARE
Resolution #13
WHEREAS, all employees deserve a workplace free from violence and injury; and
WHEREAS, the National Crime Victimization Survey defines workplace violence as non-fatal violence against employed persons age 16 or older that occurred while they were at work or on duty; and
WHEREAS, health care workers face a significant risk of experiencing violence and injury while on the job; and
WHEREAS, health care facilities are often unsecured workplaces; and
WHEREAS, workplace violence and injury in health care includes domestic violence; and
WHEREAS, the health care sector makes up just 9 percent (9%) of the overall U.S. workforce, but it experiences nearly as many violent injuries as all other industries combined; and
WHEREAS, 2015 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that incidents of serious workplace violence are four times more common in health care than in other private industries; and
WHEREAS, between 2005 and 2014, the rate of health care workplace violence increased by 110 percent (110%) in private-sector hospitals; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that while under twenty percent (20%) of all workplace injuries happen to health care workers, those same health care workers suffer fifty percent (50%) of all assaults; and
WHEREAS, health care assault rates correlate with time spent in direct patient contact, making nurses, nurses’ aides, and other frontline health care assistants the most frequent victims of attack; and
WHEREAS, in 2017, the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries received more claims than it had in any given year over the last decade from nurses and nursing aides for workplace assaults and violent acts; and
WHEREAS, according to the Journal of Emergency Nursing study, only about twenty-nine percent (29%) of nurses who experienced a physical attack reported the incident; and
WHEREAS, members of unions representing nurses and health care workers frequently describe impediments to reporting incidents of workplace violence either internally or to the police; and
WHEREAS, twenty-seven (27) of the 100 fatalities in health care and social service settings that occurred in the United States in 2013 were due to assaults or violent acts; and
WHEREAS, workplace violence is a serious concern for members of unions representing nurses and health care workers and the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, will assist affiliates in lobbying for new or strengthened laws to protect members from workplace violence and injury, including comprehensive prevention program laws; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, and its affiliates will work to educate members and lawmakers about workplace violence and injury prevention programs; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, and its affiliates acknowledge that boarding of behavioral health patients in health care facilities can lead to violence against health care workers and advocate for behavioral health funding and appropriate use of health care facilities; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, and its affiliates will work to educate members about the importance of reporting all workplace violence and injury to the employer, including assaults, near misses, threats, and verbal abuse; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, will encourage affiliates to bargain for user-friendly reporting systems and reprisal-free reporting; and be it finally
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, and its affiliates will work to educate members about their right to report assaults to the police and to press charges.
RESOLUTION IN CONTINUED OPPOSITION TO THE EXPANSION OF NEW SEASONS MARKET IN WASHINGTON STATE
Resolution #14
WHEREAS, a Portland-based grocery chain called New Seasons Market continues to expand into Northwest Washington, having opened up two stores in the Seattle area with a third planned; and
WHEREAS, New Seasons presents itself as a socially responsible company, on par with community-owned cooperative grocers and local, family-operated grocery stores; and
WHEREAS, New Seasons is majority-owned by private equity investors through Endeavour Capital, a firm with more than $2 billion under management; and
WHEREAS, New Seasons, a non-union employer, provides employees with substandard health and retirement benefits compared to unionized grocery workers in Northwest Washington, and New Seasons employees lack the just cause protections afforded to union grocery workers through their collective bargaining agreements; and
WHEREAS, New Seasons employees in Portland formed the group New Seasons Workers United and sought to meet with management to discuss working conditions, to which New Seasons management responded by hiring notorious union-busting firm Cruz and Associates to hold meetings to dissuade employees from organizing; and
WHEREAS, an NLRB charge has been filed against the company alleging interrogation, coercive statements, coercive actions and coercive rules during a union organizing campaign; and
WHEREAS, one of the investors in the Endeavour Capital fund which owns New Seasons is the Vancouver-based Murdock Charitable Trust, an organization that has contributed millions of dollars to organizations that actively undermine Northwest values of mutual respect, inclusiveness and tolerance; and
WHEREAS, the Murdock Charitable Trust contributed $240,000 to the Freedom Foundation in 2015, an organization whose staff have explicitly stated that their work is intended to undermine Democratic candidates by defunding public sector unions, and whose staff have called the Supreme Court ruling that legalized same-sex marriage a “threat to personal freedom”; and
WHEREAS, the Murdock Charitable Trust has invested in six funds managed by New Seasons’ majority owner, Endeavour Capital; and
WHEREAS, the Murdock Charitable Trust has contributed $975,000 to the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), which has been designated an anti-LGBTQ hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center; and
WHEREAS, the Murdock-funded ADF provided the model legislation used by numerous states to enact anti-trans “bathroom bills” similar to Initiative 1552, which threatened to repeal critical protections for transgender Washingtonians; and
WHEREAS, the Murdock Charitable Trust, has contributed over $1.3 million to so-called “crisis pregnancy centers” across the Pacific Northwest, which pose as health clinics while providing women with false medical information to discourage abortion; and
WHEREAS, the expansion of New Seasons in Washington would help to generate profits for the Murdock Charitable Trust, which could use those profits to further support anti-LGBTQ, anti-women and anti-worker organizations; and
WHEREAS, a New Seasons Market executive admitted the company actively targets neighborhoods undergoing gentrification and bragged that its stores tend to increase rents and home prices in nearby neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, New Seasons is planning a store in Seattle’s Central District, a formerly red-lined, historically African American neighborhood where long-time residents have voiced concerns that the expensive grocery store will not meet their needs; and
WHEREAS, those communities targeted by New Seasons have a wide variety of grocery shopping options, including stores where hard-won collective bargaining agreements provide workers with decent wages, affordable quality health care, retirement security, a voice on the job and the right to organize at new stores, including reasonable access to union members and staff; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council will support Washington’s union grocery workers in their fight to defend the economic gains and workplace rights they have won through collective bargaining against the expansion of New Seasons and other employers that fail to respect workers’ legal and human rights; and be further
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council opposes the entry of New Seasons Market into Washington while one of the company’s investors, the Murdock Charitable Trust, continues to fund extremist anti-LGBTQ, anti-women and anti-worker groups; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council will assist UFCW Local 21 in addressing the State Investment Board about its investments in Endeavour Capital, majority owner of New Seasons Market; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council calls on Endeavour Capital and New Seasons Market to adhere to the National Labor Relations Act by allowing employees to speak up and organize around workplace concerns without management interference or retaliation, and by allowing reasonable access to union members and staff in an environment that fosters open dialogue; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council will continue to educate affiliates about the importance of not only supporting but shopping at union grocery stores; and be it finally
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, all Washington State Central Labor Councils, and all WSLC affiliates push forward and pass similar resolutions pertaining to the New Seasons grocery store in their markets.
RESOLUTION ON IMMIGRATION AND THE LABOR MOVEMENT
Resolution #15
WHEREAS, immigrants and refugees have enriched the fabric of our communities, the workforce, and the labor movement since our nation’s founding; and
WHEREAS, the AFL-CIO’s website further elaborates, “the labor movement is the natural home for new immigrants struggling to achieve economic security and win social justice, and our commitment to building an immigration system that represents the needs and interests of all working people is fierce and unwavering”; and
WHEREAS, with the recent election of President Trump, immigrants and refugees are unjustly targeted with policies such as the Muslim ban and derided by the administration, who referred to African nations and Haiti as “shithole” countries on January 11, 2018; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision, upheld President Trump’s third version of a ban on travel from several predominantly Muslim countries; and
WHEREAS, Attorney General Sessions’ “Zero Tolerance” immigration-detention policy has ripped apart families and led to the systematic imprisonment of children; and
WHEREAS, despite President Trump’s xenophobic rhetoric and policies, immigrants and refugees are essential to economic growth in America and have an overall positive impact on long-run economic growth domestically; and
WHErEAS, the labor movement states its commitment to standing with immigrants and refugees, instead of deporting immigrants, we need to ensure that all working people have rights on the job and are able to exercise them without fear of retaliation; and
WHEREAS, communities, like Pacific County, have seen the direct impact of ICE raids on personal and workplace relationships as friends and coworkers have been the target of immigration enforcement; and
WHEREAS, Washington State’s agricultural economy is threatened by the increased threat of detention and deportation of low wage workers that sustain its $10.6 billion annual economy; and
WHEREAS, union employees serve all people and provide services accessible to all, regardless of ancestry, race, ethnicity, national origin, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, physical or mental disability, immigration status or religion; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, will continue to work with affiliated unions to ensure that we have a comprehensive program for our immigrant members, including a plan for rapid response to raids and detentions, know your rights trainings, and best practices for provisions we can bargain into our contracts to help protect workers from ICE raids; and be it finally
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, understanding and believing that immigrants hold a strong role in the workplace, will help develop public policy to protect all workers from ICE raids, prevent state public funds and resources from being utilized for federal immigration enforcement, support legal defense of immigrant families, and stop the expansion of private detention centers in Washington State in its 2019 legislative agenda.
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF TRANSITION FUELS
Resolution #16
WHEREAS, the Washington State Labor Council believes there is a need to embrace transition fuels as a necessary source of energy as we move towards a cleaner and greener economy; and
WHEREAS, by refusing to embrace transition fuels, we inherently support a status quo that often relies on current energy sources known to generate substantially more detrimental emissions; and
WHEREAS, liquefied natural gas (LNG) is a widely available and abundant transition fuel, and its usage provides a reduction in the emission of contaminants and greenhouse gases in comparison to other common fuels; and
WHEREAS, the low cost of LNG makes it a financially viable choice for companies in the transportation industry that wish to join in the movement towards utilizing more environmentally-responsible fuels; and
WHEREAS, LNG has been specifically identified as a viable and desirable alternative fuel source in the maritime industry for the reasons listed above by numerous countries, including Canada, Australia, Israel, the Netherlands, as well as the European Parliament; and
WHEREAS, the other fuels commonly utilized in the maritime industry are marine distillate, which is essentially a diesel fuel, and residual fuel oil, often referred to as bunker fuel; and
WHEREAS, marine distillate and bunker fuel are known producers of emissions containing substantial amounts of sulphur oxide, nitrogen oxide, carbon dioxide, greenhouse gases, and particulate matter; and
WHEREAS, even abatement methods used to “scrub” the emissions from marine distillate and bunker fuel do not eliminate the pollutants, but instead concentrate them into a sludge that requires disposal; and
WHEREAS, using LNG can lower ship exhaust emissions of sulphur oxides by over 90%, nitrogen oxides by up to 35% for diesel-cycle engines and up to 85% for Otto cycle engines, carbon dioxide by up to 29%, greenhouse gases by up to 19% on a CO2-equivalent basis and over 85% of particulate matter in comparison to even “clean” fuel oils; and
WHEREAS, a significant change in fuel usage in the maritime industry is essential to meet future compliance requirements locally and globally, and the use of LNG can make it possible for those in the industry to comply with and even exceed those requirements while current abatement technology will not; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council confirms its strong support for the utilization of LNG in the maritime industry as part of a just transition strategy; and be it finally
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council calls on all affiliated locals and members to openly support and advocate for this transition in all available forums, including public hearings and in communications with Governor Jay Inslee, the Washington State Legislature and Congressional Delegation, statewide elected officials, and relevant federal, state and local government agencies, emphasizing that LNG use must be temporary to transition to greener fuels.
LEGISLATIVE SUPPORT FOR ZERO ASBESTOS POLICY
Resolution #17
WHEREAS, the United States is one of the few major industrialized nations without an asbestos ban in place; and
WHEREAS, dangerous asbestos fibers are invisible and cannot be smelled or tasted; and
WHEREAS, the inhalation of airborne asbestos fibers can cause significant damage; and
WHEREAS, asbestos fibers can cause cancer (such as mesothelioma), asbestosis, and other health problems; and
WHEREAS, symptoms of asbestos-related diseases can take between 10 and 50 years to present themselves; and
WHEREAS, the projected life expectancy for an individual diagnosed with mesothelioma is between 6 and 24 months; and
WHEREAS, generally, little is known about late-stage treatment of asbestos-related diseases, and there is no cure for those diseases; and
WHEREAS, early detection of asbestos-related diseases may give some patients increased treatment options and might improve the prognoses of those patients; and
WHEREAS, while the consumption of asbestos within the United States has been substantially reduced, the United States continues to consume tons of the fibrous mineral each year for use in certain products throughout the United States; and
WHEREAS, asbestos-related diseases have killed thousands of people in the United States; and
WHEREAS, while exposure to asbestos continues, safety and prevention of asbestos exposure already has significantly reduced the incidence of asbestos-related diseases and can further reduce the incidence of those diseases; and
WHEREAS, thousands of workers in the United States face significant asbestos exposure, which has been a cause of occupational cancer; and
WHEREAS, thousands of people in the United States die from asbestos-related diseases every year; and
WHEREAS, a significant percentage of all asbestos-related disease victims were exposed to asbestos in industrial facilities; and
WHEREAS, asbestos was used in the construction of a significant number of industrial facilities before 1975; and
WHEREAS, people in Washington State, suffer from asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma, at a significantly higher rate than people in the United States as a whole; and
WHEREAS, the designation of a “Zero Asbestos Policy” will raise public awareness about the prevalence of asbestos-related diseases and the dangers of asbestos exposure; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO and Affiliates Unions work collaboratively, at the state and national level, to develop, promote and pass legislation to finally ban the use of asbestos in America.
LEGISLATIVE SUPPORT FOR ASBESTOS REMOVAL
Resolution #18
WHEREAS, workers in Washington State face significant asbestos exposure, which has been a cause of occupational cancer; and
WHEREAS, asbestos was used in the construction of a significant number of industrial facilities before 1975; and
WHEREAS, materials containing asbestos are routinely damaged, causing airborne exposure risks; and
WHEREAS, asbestos presents a significant danger to workers in Washington State’s Industrial facilities; now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO shall support the creation of legislation that provides a ten-year plan for the identification, containment and removal of all asbestos materials that constitute a health hazard in Washington State’s Industrial facilities.
RENEWING THE CALL FOR FULL SUPPORT OF THE LABOR COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM
Resolution #19
WHEREAS, the thirty-four community and technical colleges (CTC) of Washington serve nearly every working family in our state, providing adult basic education, professional and technical programs, supplemental instruction for state certified apprenticeship programs, academic transfer degree programs, and Bachelor of Applied Science degrees; and
WHEREAS, nearly 60% of all post-secondary students in Washington are enrolled in a community or technical college; and
WHEREAS, community and technical colleges provide the high demand job training our students want and employers need. These “high demand” programs in fields such as advanced manufacturing, dental hygiene, and cybersecurity move people into good jobs that are available right now and help our state compete in the global economy; and
WHEREAS, Washington State has established a goal of 70% of residents achieving a post-high school credential or degree which will, by necessity, require additional investment in the CTC system to accomplish; and
WHEREAS, Governor Inslee has prioritized Career Connect Washington in order to increase and expand career opportunities for young people throughout Washington State, which will also, by necessity, require investment in the CTC system; and
WHEREAS, according to the most recently available data from the state employee survey, 99% of state employees are paid below market levels, with the specific percentage below ranging from 10% to 90%; and
WHEREAS, the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) faculty salary survey shows, similarly, that CTC faculty earn nearly 14% less than peers in comparable states; and
WHEREAS, an economic impact study conducted by EMSI determined that the CTC system produces a $20.5 billion annual positive impact on Washington’s economy; and
WHEREAS, the median age of Washington CTC students is 26 years old, 44% are employed and enrolled at the same time, 28% are parents, and 43% are students of color; and
WHEREAS, CTCs offer open access to all who have the desire for higher education; and
WHEREAS, unionized faculty and staff are the heart and soul of the colleges and deliver the education and training, provide support to employees and students, and keep the campuses clean and well-maintained, benefitting students and our state’s communities and businesses; and
WHEREAS, state funding to the community colleges has declined approximately 60% since 1989 on average, with most of the community colleges today receiving less than 50% of their budget from the state; and
WHEREAS, college budgets were cut dramatically during the Great Recession and state funding for the colleges remains stagnant at 2007 levels, leaving staff and faculty in the CTC system with little to show in salary growth; and
WHEREAS, chronic underfunding threatens the ability of colleges to attract and retain the excellent faculty and staff needed by students and those who hire them, with an employee turnover rate in some classifications exceeding 15%; and
WHEREAS, in contrast to the fact that over 40% of CTC students are people of color, only 14-16% of the faculty are, in part, due to underfunding; and
WHEREAS, custodians and entry-level office staff in the colleges are among the lowest paid classifications in all of state service with many earning only minimum wage and continually subjected to cost-cutting shift changes; and
WHEREAS, according to a recent study, a wage of over $20 per hour is required to afford the average rent on a two-bedroom residence anywhere in our state (http://nlihc.org/oor) with some in-state regions requiring much more than that; and
WHEREAS, nearly 70% of the faculty in the CTC system are lower-paid, precariously employed part-time faculty, with the remaining 30% full-time, largely due to underfunding; and
WHEREAS, all of the major unions representing staff and faculty in the CTC system are united and will work together in support of this resolution; and
WHEREAS, the future of Washington’s economy and workforce is directly linked to the health of the CTC system; and
WHEREAS, the support of all working people and our Labor Movement is essential to building and strengthening our Community and Technical Colleges; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, that affiliates of the Washington State Labor Council (WSLC) raise awareness of the value of the Community and Technical Colleges to working families amongst their membership and with their community and business allies; and be it further
RESOLVED, that affiliates participate in the robust legislative funding campaign waged by AFT Washington, WFSE, WEA, and WPEA; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the WSLC urge the SBCTC to develop a robust budget request to address employee, student, and community needs in the 2019 legislative session, for example increasing the number of full-time faculty, improving the ratio of counselors to students, increase employee salaries, reducing outsourcing, increase employee diversity, etc.; and be it finally
RESOLVED, that the WSLC include and prioritize a robust investment into the CTC system as part of its Shared Prosperity Agenda in the 2019 legislative sessions.
RESOLUTION ON CONSISTENCY CHANGES FOR THE WSLC, AFL-CIO CONSTITUTION
Resolution #20
WHEREAS, each Constitutional Convention affords the opportunity to update the Constitution to increase clarity and consistency; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the following changes will be made to the WSLC, AFL-CIO Constitution:
- Article III.1.i – In this article, and all other articles where there is a reference to Constituency groups, and the same practice applies to Allied organizations (such as WSARA), the language will change from “Constituency Groups” to “Constituency/Allied Organizations”.
- Article III.1.i – Consistent with Article III on elections, and with practice, Constituency/Allied Organizations are afforded three (3) votes; change language as follows –
(i) A state chapter, or local chapter if no state chapter exists, of an AFL-CIO constituency/allied organization shall be entitled to three (3) delegates and three (3) votes. No AFL-CIO constituency/allied group or its delegate may be present for or have a voice or vote in any meeting or proceeding concerning the endorsement of a political candidate if they have a 501C3 tax status. However, a constituency group with 501C3 tax status or its delegate may be present and have voice but no vote in discussions regarding ballot initiatives.
- Article V.5 – As there are no longer any Districts with only two (2) Vice Presidents, the new language shall read:
Sec. 5. If there is more than one Central/Area Labor council in an Executive Board district, only two of three representing such district shall be from the same Central/Area Labor Council. For purposes of this constitution, a person shall be from the Central/Area Labor Council which has the geographical jurisdiction over the place of that person’s actual employment or residence.
2018 RESOLUTION ON CHANGING ECONOMY AND JUST TRANSITION
Resolution #21
WHEREAS, the U.S. and Washington State economy are changing due to technology, automation, movement from a fossil fuel based economy to a clean energy economy, changes in the structure of work and the relationship between employers and employees, the Washington State Labor Council recognizes the need for a “Just Transition” for workers and communities so that they are not left behind in this economic transformation; and
WHEREAS, all affiliates of the WSLC and our community partners are impacted by this economic transition; and
WHEREAS, the Labor Movement should be at the forefront, leading policy decisions in the new economy so that all workers may benefit from obtaining and sustaining jobs that provide family wages, benefits, and the right to organize; and
WHEREAS, Labor’s voice is necessary to drive the process for creating and implementing a “Just Transition” so that harm to workers is limited if not fully eliminated; and
WHEREAS, the best path forward is always one of solidarity within the Labor Movement because there are those who seek to divide us in order to dilute our collective strength; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO shall host a summit on “The Changing Economy and “Just Transition”; and be it further
RESOLVED, that all affiliates will be invited and encouraged to attend this Summit; and be it finally
RESOLVED, that the WSLC will form a Task Force on “The Changing Nature of the Economy and Jobs and a Just Transition”, and that this Task Force will be established with voluntary participation from affiliated unions and invited community partners to inform the WSLC on subsequent actions.
RESOLUTION REGARDING STATEWIDE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR COUNCIL MEMBERS ON THE WSLC EXECUTIVE BOARD
Resolution #22
WHEREAS, the WSLC Executive Board is comprised of the elected President and Secretary-Treasurer and twenty-none (29) Vice Presidents elected on the basis of the schedule found in Section 4 of this article; and
WHEREAS, any International union that pays per capita on 10,000 or more will have a seat on the Board by appointment if they do not have one by election; and
WHEREAS, there are important statewide industry sector councils that represent the needs and interests of our affiliates as well; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that Section 1 of the WSLC Constitution be amended to include the language, “The Principal Officer or an Executive Board member of any statewide industry sector council with affiliation that pays per capita to the Washington State Labor Council on 40,000 or more members will have a seat by appointment if not by election.”
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF LABOR SOLIDARITY POST-JANUS
Resolution #23
WHEREAS, Labor stands at a crossroads. As wealthy corporate interests redouble their attacks against us, we can innovate and unify to ensure our strength and resilience or we can turn inward with derision and division that weakens our movement. The choice is clear; and
WHEREAS, all agree on the basic foundational premises of unionism—that working people are stronger together. Working people’s organizations are also stronger together. To fight back against the growing attacks against our communities and attempts to divide us, we must make a conscious choice to work past our differences and unite and fight on common ground; and
WHEREAS, as Labor we are uniquely positioned to hold corporations and lawmakers accountable to workers and our communities; and
WHEREAS, Labor is under attack by employers, corporate funded extremist groups, and their allies in Federal and state governments; and
WHEREAS, as labor leaders it is more important than ever that we illustrate the union difference and the standards we have won, particularly in a climate of attack and declining union density; and
WHEREAS, we need to work in solidarity for long-lasting victories in our communities and resist divisive, short term wins; and
WHEREAS, our unity is more important than ever, and we need to work across our differences of industry, race, and gender to build the strongest labor movement possible; and
WHEREAS, our shared goals and interests as labor outnumber our differences; and
WHEREAS, an injury to one is an injury to all including those injuries incurred off the worksite in our communities; and
WHEREAS, our unity across sectors, inclusive of all, is our greatest asset as a movement; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the WSLC shall convene principle officers from a broad representation of affiliates to determine points of unity and joint actions we will take throughout the transition to an open-shop public sector and that those actions include an ad hoc body that convenes during moments of potential labor disunity in support of dialogue that seeks understanding of multiple interests and pursuit of paths that avoid division.
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF KEEPING THE UW MEDICINE CONSOLIDATED LAUNDRY FACILITY OPEN AND PROTECTING UNION JOBS
Resolution #24
WHEREAS, in January 2018, the University of Washington announced that its intentions to potentially contract out and privatize UW Medicine’s Consolidated Laundry facility to seek private sector bids for cleaning patient bed linen and employee scrubs for Harborview Medical Center, Northwest Hospital & Medical Center, UW Medical Center, Valley Medical Center, and UW Medicine’s Neighborhood Clinics; and
WHEREAS, the UW has operated a medical laundry facility since 1959, with over 100 unionized state employees represented by AFSCME Council 28 WFSE and SEIU Local 925; and
WHEREAS, the workers in the laundry are among the lowest-paid workers at the UW, but they are protected by a collective bargaining agreement, and they receive medical and retirement benefits.
WHEREAS, a majority of the UW Medicine Consolidated Laundry’s workforce are people of color, immigrants, workers aged over 50 years old, and women; and
WHEREAS, plant closures devastate communities and families, as well as state and county tax bases; and
WHEREAS, UW Medicine is looking to balance its operating budget deficit on the backs of its lowest paid workers, yet the entire budget of the laundry equals the sum of UW Medicine’s 40 highest paid administrators; and
WHEREAS, UW Medicine has consistently failed to re-invest in the Consolidated Laundry’s capital facilities for over 30 years, to the point where approximately $21 million in capital investments are now needed to bring this facility up to current industry standards; and
WHEREAS, the UW Medicine Consolidated Laundry’s main private sector competitors all lack unions that represent their workers, and pay their workers lower wages and inferior benefits if any; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the WSLC stands with our AFSCME and SEIU brothers and sisters, and calls on UW Medicine and the University of Washington, to immediately stop its efforts to contract out, privatize, or close the Consolidated Laundry; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the WSLC supports legislative efforts to raise the necessary capital funding to retain the consolidated laundry; and be it finally
RESOLVED, that the WSLC will forward copies of this resolution to the State Legislature, Governor, the King County Council, the King County Executive, the UW Board of Regents, and the UW President.
ADDRESSING SECURE SCHEDULING ACROSS INDUSTRIES
Resolution #25
WHEREAS, hundreds of thousands of workers in Washington State, have been forced to live in uncertainty as to what their hours will be and when they will be notified of their schedules; and
WHEREAS, part-time work has increased and forced more workers to hold two or three jobs and be deprived of healthcare, retirement and other benefits; and
WHEREAS, workers are often required to work the late shift and then turn around and work the morning shift without a safe amount of rest; and
WHEREAS, workers have more workplace injuries when our stores, restaurants, hospitals, warehouses, and other worksites are not staffed appropriately; and
WHEREAS, insufficient staffing makes workers more vulnerable to harassment and violence in their workplaces; and
WHEREAS, we as workers, have common cause across industries and believe that safe staffing and fair scheduling are the same issue caused by corporate greed; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council AFL- CIO support the fight for Secure Scheduling policy including a minimum of two weeks’ notice of the work schedule, 11 hours of rest between shifts, and access to more hours before a company hires more part-time help; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council AFL- CIO engage with affiliated unions as they work to get Secure Scheduling laws enacted in Washington state; and be it finally resolved
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council AFL- CIO calls upon Congress, state legislatures and local municipalities to pass secure scheduling legislation that would ensure workers across all industries have appropriate staffing and scheduling that is fundamental to keeping our workplaces safe and providing workers with schedules that respect their time and contribution to making our economy successful.
ENDING SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE AT WORK
Resolution #26
WHEREAS, sexual harassment and gender-based violence are occurring in industries and workplaces across the country and here in WA state; (According to The Center for American Progress, the accommodation and food service industry has the highest numbers of EEOC sexual harassment complaints of any industry with 14.23% of all complaints filed. Second and third are vital employment sections in WA State-he retail industry with 13.44% and the manufacturing industry with 11.72% of complaints filed. These claims are only a fraction of incidents that occur due to underreporting); and
WHEREAS, according to that same report, “over 70% of harassment charges filed have included a charge of retaliation”, further illustrating the dire need for a union and workplace policies and enforcement mechanisms that protect workers who speak up against the harassment they face; and
WHEREAS, there are crucial differences in how workers experience harassment depending on our industries and the multiple and overlapping forms of discrimination we face based on class, race, religion, national origin, immigration status, age, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ability; and
WHEREAS, Washington workers can experience discriminatory harassment in multiple ways – not just from our coworkers or managers, but from our customers, patients, vendors, clients or any other individuals we serve; and
WHEREAS, customer service employers’ insistence that “the customer is always right,” makes workers particularly vulnerable to harassment; a reality that is often exacerbated by significant power related to hierarchies of class, race, age, gender, ability, and immigration status; and
WHEREAS, there has been a growing awareness of sexual harassment at work with the #MeToo movement and campaigns by unions and other social justice groups, there should be a meaningful union lead campaign by WSLC AFL-CIO members to end sexual harassment in our workplaces. Campaigns by hotel workers, restaurant workers, farmworkers, and actors have all been successful in drawing attention to prevalent harassment in their industries and calling for change; and
WHEREAS, as a union, we are uniquely positioned to take on this issue; and
WHEREAS, members will continue to suffer from pervasive sexual harassment unless we hold employers and supervisors accountable and demand specific proactive steps to prevent and address it; and
WHEREAS, the current culture that permits harassment at work must be addressed systematically, politically, organizationally, and personally; and
WHEREAS, the AFL- CIO has historically lead on the struggle against discrimination broadly and most recently the struggle for equal rights for immigrant and LGBTQ workers; and
WHEREAS, taking on this issue presents a powerful opportunity for both new member organizing and leadership development within our existing membership; and
WHEREAS, our current and future members should be confident that a union can be an effective avenue for addressing gender-based violence and harassment at work and collectively feel empowered to make changes at their workplaces; now, therefore, be it,
RESOLVED, we will stand together in solidarity to combat all forms of discrimination and harassment in our workplaces and ensure that all Washington state workers feel safe on the job; and be it further
RESOLVED, solved we will lead by example by ensuring sexual harassment will not be tolerated in our union halls and organizations and we will create tools to end sexual harassment by educating on the various forms of sexual harassment, developing codes of conduct that explicitly prohibit sexual harassment of any kind and detail clear consequences for violations; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, together with affiliates and Central and Regional Labor Councils, will work with locals to survey our membership about the prevalence and nature of sexual harassment at worksites to better understand the scope of the problem and potential solutions; and be it further
RESOLVED, the Washington State Labor Council commits to developing action plans with member committees to end harassment on the store/worksite level; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the WSLC will participate in coalitions with community and labor allies working to end gender-based violence and harassment, racial violence, violence against LGBTQ communities, violence against people with disabilities and all other forms of discriminatory harassment and violence; and be it further
RESOLVED, we commit to identifying and lobbying for legislative opportunities to strengthen Federal, state and local laws around workplace harassment and gender-based violence; and be it further
RESOLVED, we commit to negotiate strong contract language to combat sexual harassment-based on member input. Including but not limited to: zero tolerance for harassment; a clear mechanism for addressing harassment; workplace committees; safety measures like panic buttons; signage indicating no tolerance of abuse; training and education; ability to stop work and leave a dangerous situation or intervene on behalf of a coworker, and be it finally
RESOLVED, the WSLC, locals, and affinity groups will report back on our progress at the next WSLC annual convention.
ADDRESSING OUR UPSIDE DOWN TAX SYSTEM THROUGH THE WORKING FAMILIES TAX REBATE
Resolution #27
WHEREAS, while the Washington state economy is growing steadily, income inequality has increased over the last few decades; and
WHEREAS, Washington State has the most regressive tax code in the nation, which, when combined with the increasing cost of living, Washington’s current tax code pushes many working families into poverty; and
WHEREAS, the state’s reliance on sales taxes and other excise taxes plays a significant role in our broken tax code resulting in a lack of economic opportunity for working families. The purchase of common household goods account for a disproportionately large share of annual family budgets among households with low incomes; and
WHEREAS, the lowest 20% of wage earners pay nearly 17% of their income in taxes to Washington State and local governments; and
WHEREAS, the wealthiest Washingtonians pay less than 3% of their income to the State and local governments; and
WHEREAS, Washington’s Legislature created a Working Families Tax Rebate during the 2008 Legislative session, in which nearly $100 million would be returned to working families across Washington state; and
WHEREAS, the Legislature never funded the Working Families Tax Rebate in 2008, nor during any subsequent legislative session; and
WHEREAS, the Great Recession devastated the Middle Class in Washington State, and the recovery has been uneven and geographically imbalanced; and
WHEREAS, an expanded, funded Working Families Tax Rebate would put more money in the pockets of low income workers, and inject much needed resources in to Washington’s rural communities and communities of color; and
WHEREAS, an updated Working Families Tax Credit could recognize workers not traditionally supported or valued by our tax code, like childless workers, college students, and uncompensated care-givers; and
WHEREAS, an updated Working Families Tax Credit could boost economic security for low and moderate income working families, and lower the number of working families living in poverty across the state; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, endorse the enactment of legislation to update and expand the Working Families Tax Credit; and be it finally
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, advocate for fully funding a working family tax credit that recognizes workers left out of the 2008 legislation, and that increases the amount of the rebate.
RESOLUTION ON WORKER PRIVACY
Resolution #28
WHEREAS, the State of Washington has released to the Freedom Foundation the personal information of every public worker who participates in the Public Employee Retirement System; and
WHEREAS, the Freedom Foundation’s goal is an American workforce that has no political power, makes less money, and has no voice in the work place; and
WHEREAS, the State of Washington as an employer failed to notify the workers whose information was being released, nor did it notify the unions who represent those workers on the job; and
WHEREAS, all elected state-wide executives understand the importance of protecting peoples’ personal information given the risks associated with identify theft, phishing scams, financial crimes, fraud, and harassment at the doors; and
WHEREAS, the best practice is for public employers to notify workers and their unions when intrusive public records requests are made; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO communicate to state-wide elected executives the need for a unified policy that informs workers when requests are received for their personal information; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, seeks legislation to protect certain public employee personal information from disclosure; and be it finally
RESOLVED, that such policy ensure that all public sector employees and their unions are notified when third parties seek their private information, so they might take steps to protect their privacy, financial security, and safety.
IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION TO ADDRESS HEALTH DISPARITIES RELATED TO HEAT, UNSAFE WORKING CONDITIONS, AND PESTICIDE EXPOSURE AND UNDO THE OVERTIME WAGE EXEMPTION IN THE AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY TO CLOSE THE GROWING INCOME INEQUALITY AND LACK OF RETIREMENT PREPAREDNESS AND TO REVERSE A RACIAL INJUSTICE
Resolution #29
WHEREAS, the fundamental question animating our political debate in America is, ”Do all people in America have equal rights?”; and
WHEREAS, Agricultural workers in Washington State help feed the state, much of the United States, and many corners of the world; and
WHEREAS, Washington State’s $10.6 billion annual agricultural economy is supported by over 140,000 workers, mostly Latino/a, statewide; and
WHEREAS, the average income of a farm worker in Washington state in 2016 was well below the federal poverty line for a family of four; and
WHEREAS, agricultural workers work 10-14 hour days 5-6 days per week without overtime pay; and
WHEREAS, 79% of the Latino workforce in Washington has no savings for retirement according to a 2017 Dept. of Commerce study; and
WHEREAS, the 1938 federal Fair Labor Standards Act and the 1958 Washington State Minimum Wage and Hour Act exempted agricultural workers and domestic workers from benefiting from overtime pay; and
WHEREAS, the agricultural industry has claimed local recruitment issues and has exponentially increased their use of foreign H-2A labor, from 814 certified workers in 2006 to over 18,000 in 2017 – a 2,150% increase; and
WHEREAS, in 2015, WAFLA, an H-2A farm labor contractor, allegedly coached their members to under and misreport wages on an annual employment security department survey that sets annual prevailing wage; and
WHEREAS, overtime pay would create a better opportunity for workers increasing wages, savings, and capital to own a home, send their children to our public colleges, or save for retirement; and
WHEREAS, farm workers are retaliated against for reporting dangerous working conditions, injuries, wage and hour theft, sexual harassment, animal abuse, lack of clean drinking water, verbal abuse, and exploitation, and have even been sued for speaking up; and
WHEREAS, between 2010 and 2016, more than half of the 537 recorded incidents of pesticide illness among farmworkers were a result of drift; and
WHEREAS, farm workers in Washington state get injured at rates higher than in any other industry in the state; and
WHEREAS, one dairy farm worker is killed at work on average every 16 months; and
WHEREAS, the worker protection standard has been delayed and dismantled by the current federal administration, putting workers’ and rural communities’ health at risk; and
WHEREAS, children of farmworkers deserve to see their parents treated with dignity and respect, and not as second class workers without access to overtime pay; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, that we in the labor movement will ask of others in Washington the fundamental question, “Do Washington State Agricultural Workers deserve to be treated equally as all other workers, including with respect to Overtime Pay?”; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, promote legislation and regulation to undo the Jim Crow-era overtime exclusion and protect safe and healthy work environments for all Washington State farm workers; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, and its affiliates will support farm workers by promoting their testimonies, actions and sponsoring farm worker presentations at their local chapters; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, and its affiliates will support UFW’s actions, rallies and social media campaign informing their members and the public about the farm workers’ struggle; and be it finally
RESOLVED, that our sisters and brothers in the labor movement will resoundingly call on all elected officials to stand with us and declare loudly through words, actions, and votes that Agricultural Workers deserve equal treatment, including with respect to overtime pay.
Comments are closed.