These resolutions were approved at Council 2’s June 2007 convention.
#1
RIGHT TO WORK
That AFSCME and Council 2 continue to take the lead in pushing for the enactment of public employee collective bargaining legislation which would include union security provisions; and
That AFSCME and Council 2 fully support the afl-cio, through its Committee on Restrictive Legislation in developing a comprehensive strategy to expand union rights; and
That Council 2 encourages AFSCME's Departments of Field Services and Collective Bargaining to assist affiliates in right-to-work states to develop long range strategies to repeal right –to-work laws.
#2
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 one-sixth of the time of a fulltime employee.
#3
ADDRESSING VIOLENCE IN THE WORKPLACE
AFSCME, Council 2 work with employers to adopt and become compliant with uniform federal and WISHA programs and OSHA guidelines for preventing workplace violence; and
That to help prevent workplace violence, AFSCME, Council 2 encourage our local unions and employers to take responsibility to insure a safe workplace environment and develop policies and procedures with respect to safety devices, staffing levels, training and counseling programs and programs to reduce workplace stress; and;
That AFSCME, Council 2 will work with our local unions and employers to insure that all workplace violence policies and procedures are properly negotiated, are in compliance with the law and respect the legal rights of our members.
#4
ORGANIZING CORRECTIONS
That the Washington State Council of County and City Employees continue to maximize its efforts to organize Corrections personnel wherever possible through Washington and Idaho and continue to be a leader in addressing the concerns of all Corrections personnel whenever possible.
#6
SAFETY IN LIBRARIES
That Council 2 will support measures that provide more resources for protecting the safety of patrons and staff at all community libraries; and;
That Council 2 will continue to advocate for libraries to be proactive in implementing security measures that address the safety concerns of community library patrons and staff; and
That Council 2 will continue to strongly advocate for maintaining proper staffing minimums and safety in all libraries.
#8
ORGANIZING LIBRARY WORKERS
That Council 2 continue its commitment to organizing library workers throughout Washington and Idaho.
#9
PRESERVING SOCIAL SECURITY
AFSCME, Council 2 rejects President Bush’s plans to privatize the Social Security program and the recommendations of the 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.
#10
OPPOSING THE PRIVATIZATION OF PRISONS AND JAILS
That the Washington State Council of County and City Employees shall monitor prison and jail privatization efforts throughout Washington and Idaho and apprise affiliates of any privatization efforts; and
That the Washington State Council of County and City Employees and its Locals fight efforts to privatize prisons and jails through such efforts as cost comparisons and feasibility studies, lobbying state and local government officials, publicity campaigns, appropriate legal action, the passage of legislation to restrict contracting out and holding elected officials accountable for their actions on this important issue.
#11
PRIVATIZATION/CONTRACTING OUT
That Council 2 oppose all efforts to contract out or privatize public services currently provided by state and local governments.
#12
RETIREE HEALTH CARE
That Council 2 continue to actively pursue health care options that provide affordable alternatives for .retired public employees.
#13
DEFERRED COMPENSATION SAVINGS PROGRAMS
That Council 2 help educate its membership about deferred compensation programs so that members may enhance their retirement funds and/or retire prior to 65 years ofage; and
That Council 2 work aggressively to secure deferred compensation programs in all jurisdictions.
#14
SUPPORTING ERGONOMICS
That Council 2 opposes all efforts by any party, business or political organization to weaken the protections that workers have under State or Federal law; and
That the Washington Council of County and City Employees work with other Unions to improve worker safety for all employees.
#15
STEWARD TRAINING
That Local Unions be more active and supportive in participating in Council 2’s Steward Training Program; and
That wsccce Council 2 continue to provide a viable Steward Training Program and additionally, continue to search for and offer new, creative and advanced training modules.
#16
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 to 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.
#17
FUNDING JUVENILE JUSTICE PROGRAMS
That Council2 lobby fhe state legislature to fully fund Juvenile Justice mandates.
# 18
FUNDING FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY WORKERS
That wsccce Council 2 will support legislation for wage parity for Mental Health and Chemical Dependency workers, and_ensure effective health cost-containment by working to reduce case load levels; and
That WSCCCE Council 2 will lobby legislators to identify and reduce redundant and excessive paperwork and reporting requirements, lobby to restructure Mental Health and Chemical Dependency funding to eliminate the practice of under-funding and overly restricting service provision.
#19
LABOR COUNCIL PARTICIPATION
That Council 2 encourage its affiliates within King County to participate in the activities of the Martin Luther King County Labor Council (mlkclc) by electing and sending delegates; and
That Council 2 encourage all its affiliates to participate in the activities of their area’s Central Labor Councils.
#20
EMPLOYEE FREE CHOICE ACT
That Council 2 along with its affiliates and members, support the Employee Free Choice Act, which would authorize the National Labor Relations Board to certify a union as the bargaining representative when a majority of employees voluntarily sign authorizations designating that union to represent them; provide for first contract mediation and arbitration; and establish meaningful penalties for violations of a worker’s freedom to choose a union; and
That Council 2, along its affiliates, members, urges Congress to pass and vigorously enforce the Employee Free Choice Act to protect and preserve for America’s workers their freedom to choose for themselves whether or not to form a union.
#21
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 redouble our organizing efforts through our commitment of resources and funding for organizing throughout Washington and Idaho.
#22
REPEAL EMPLOYERS' RIGHTS TO IMPLEMENT BEST AND FINAL OFFERS; RCW 41.56.123
That the Washington State Council of County and City Employees take the necessary measures to revise RCW 41.56.123 and other related laws, and require employers to bargain in good faith to the extent necessary to negotiate fair contracts for its employees.
#23
HOST LOCALS
That the assembled delegates of the 48th Council 2 Convention go on record to thank and express their appreciation to locals 307 and 2699 and their respective committee members.
