These resolutions were approved at Council 2’s June 2005 convention.
# 1
WORKPLACE VIOLENCE
That Council 2 work to have employers adopt uniform federal and WISHA programs and OSHA guidelines for preventing worker violence and urges employers who are not in compliance to do so immediately; and
That in order to prevent workplace violence, Council 2 urges our local unions and employers to take responsibility to insure a safe work environment and negotiate policies and procedures with respect to safety devices, staffing levels, training, counseling or debriefing programs, and labor management programs that reduce workplace stress.
Council 2 works with our local union and employers to insure that all workplace violence policies and procedures are properly negotiated and are in compliance with the law and respect the legal rights of our members.
# 2
PERS REFORM
That Council 2 make it a top priority in the upcoming session to pass the improvements sought by the SCPP and hold all legislators and the Governor accountable for decisions they make regarding the Public Employees Retirement System
# 3
ORGANIZING CORRECTIONS
That the Washington State Council of County and City Employees continue to maximize our efforts to organize Corrections Personnel wherever possible throughout Washington and Idaho and continue to address the increasing concerns facing Corrections Personnel whenever possible.
# 4
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING RIGHTS FOR IDAHO PUBLIC EMPLOYEES
That the 16,000 members of Council 2 go on record calling for the State of Idaho to grant full collective bargaining rights for its public employees and that Council 2 support any and all efforts to secure these rights to gain the dignity and respect the Idaho public employees so rightfully deserve.
# 5
JUVENILE CORRECTIONS STAFFING
That Council 2 will support measures that provide more resources for the Juvenile justice system; and
That Council 2 will continue to advocate for no less than the safety of the children within the Juvenile Justice system and of our members working there; and
That Council 2 will continue to advocate for no less than minimum staffing standards in juvenile detention facilities.
# 6
ORGANIZING
That our affiliates, members, and staff continue to identify and contact public and private sector workers for organizing; and
That Council 2, along with our affiliates, members, and staff make a commitment to re-double our organizing efforts through our commitment of resources and funding for organizing throughout Washington and Idaho.
# 7
TEMPORARY/SEASONAL EMPLOYEES
That locals of Council 2 bargain aggressively to curb the use of Temporary/Seasonal employees or to get them recognized as part of the bargaining unit if they work 1/6 of the time of a fulltime employee.
# 8
OPPOSING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE USA PATRIOT ACT
AFSCME, Council 2 opposes any use of governmental power to suppress the free and open exchange of knowledge and information; and
That AFSCME, Council 2 encourages all library workers and advocates to defend and support user privacy and free and open access to knowledge and information; and
That AFSCME, Council 2 considers certain provisions of the USA Patriot Act to be a danger to the constitutional and privacy rights of library users; and
That AFSCME, Council 2 urges its members to contact their elected representatives in the United States Congress in a call for oversight of the implementation of the USA Patriot Act and the repeal of provisions of the Act that threaten the rights of inquiry and free expression.
# 9
RIGHT-TO-WORK
That AFSCME and Council 2 continue to fight Paycheck Deception wherever it occurs.
# 11
INITIATIVE 900
That Council 2 continue to oppose I-900 through member education and public outreach that exposes this scheme for what it really is, another hoax designed to make Tim Eyman rich.
# 12
AFL-CIO RESTRUCTURING
That Council 2 and its affiliates take an active role in providing input to both our International Union, AFSCME and the AFL-CIO that emphasizes the need to provide quality service to our membership as the best method to strengthen the labor movement.
# 13
PEOPLE CHECKOFF
That all Council 2 locals without people checkoff rights be urged to obtain an agreement or a contract clause to establish voluntary people checkoff for their members.
# 14
SUPPORT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
That this convention goes on record as supporting our fellow Americans in their pursuit of Human Rights for all mankind; and
That Council 2 notifies our International Union of our action so that it might be included in AFSCMEs lobbying in Congress.
# 15
SAFETY IN PUBLIC LIBRARIES
That the Washington State Council of County and City Employees will continue to advocate for staffing minimums and safety in public libraries.
# 16
ORGANIZING LIBRARIES
That Council 2 continues its commitment to organizing libraries throughout Washington and Idaho.
# 17
PRESERVING SOCIAL SECURITY
AFSCME, Council 2 rejects President Bushs plans to privatize the Social Security program and the recommendations of his Social Security Commission; and
That AFSCME, Council 2 reaffirms its faith in Social Security as the risk-free foundation of retirement income for American workers and the premier system of income protection for American working families.
# 18
PRIVATIZING OF PRISONS AND JAILS
That AFSCME Council 2 shall monitor prison and jail privatization throughout the state and apprise all Council 2 affiliates of its findings on an ongoing basis; and
That AFSCME Council 2 and its Locals use such strategies as cost comparisons and feasibility studies, lobbying state and local government officials, publicity campaigns, appropriate legal action and the passage of legislation restricting contracting out in order to stop prison privatization and hold our elected officials accountable on this important issue.
# 19
PRIVATIZATION/CONTRACTING OUT
That Council 2 opposes all efforts to contract out or privatize public services currently provided by state and local governments.
# 20
RETIREE HEALTH CARE
That Council 2 continues actively pursuing health care options that provide affordable alternatives for public employee retirees.
# 21
DEFERRED COMP
That Council 2 helps educate our membership on deferred compensation programs so that members may enhance their retirement funds and/or retire prior to 65 years of age.
# 22
SUPPORTING ERGONOMICS
That Council 2 opposes all efforts by any party, business or political organization to further weaken the protection that workers have under State or Federal law.
That the Washington State Council of County and City Employees work with other Unions to reinstate the regulations on Ergonomics that have been lost, and strive to improve worker safety in the workplace.
# 23
STEWARD TRAINING
That local unions be more active and supportive in participating in Council 2s steward training program.
# 24
WORKERS’ MEMORIAL DAY
MOURN FOR THE DEAD/FIGHT FOR THE LIVING
That Council 2 and its affiliates continue to support and participate in Workers Memorial Day activities each year; and
That Council 2 and its affiliates continue the fight for safe workplaces; and
That this convention observes a moment of silence to honor our brothers and sisters who have lost their lives since we last convened.
#25
HOST LOCALS
That the assembled delegates of the 47th Council 2 Convention go on record to thank and express their appreciation to the host locals of District 8 and their respective committee members.
