AFSCME Convention, Resolution 11: Protect Federal Government Employees and the Services They Provide
At the 43rd AFSCME International Convention in Boston last month, David Fernández-Barrial, delegate for the Guild, Local 2910, made remarks from the floor, rising in support of a resolution addressing recent attacks on federal employee union rights . David was backed at the podium by other members of Council 20, which represents both municipal and federal locals in DC and VA, including the Guild.
David Fernández-Barrial speaks at 2018 AFSCME Convention. photo: Sonny Garibay
The initial resolution was submitted by Corey Upchurch, of Local 1959, and David ensured that the 3,063 delegates at the Convention were aware of the scope of the attacks on civil service protections and collective bargaining in the federal service.
The resolution was adopted at the Convention, with amendments that specifically noted Executive Orders promulgated on May 25th, 2018. The full text of Resolution Number 11 follows:
43rd INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION
BOSTON CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTER
JULY 16-20, 2018
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS
RESOLUTION NUMBER 11
PROTECT FEDERAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES AND THE SERVICES THEY PROVIDE
WHEREAS:
More than 2 million federal government employees work diligently to provide a broad range of vital public services that improve the quality of life for all American residents, including health care, education, housing, environmental, nutritional, and food and drug safety; that strengthen transportation, water, electric and communications infrastructure; and that prevent discrimination and defend the rights of individuals, consumers and working families; and
WHEREAS:
President Trump’s hiring freeze on federal workers in early 2017 and his subsequent plans to reduce the federal workforce weaken the government’s capacity to deliver these critical public services on behalf of Americans; and
WHEREAS:
The federal government’s merit system was designed to provide Americans with a competent, honest and productive professional workforce and to maintain quality public services; and
WHEREAS:
To serve the public interest effectively and efficiently, the federal government must provide its employees with fair and adequate wages, health care and retirement benefits, traditional leave, paid parental and family leave and other supportive personnel policies; and
WHEREAS:
AFSCME represents thousands of federal employees working in both the executive and legislative branches, including workers at the Department of Justice, Department of Transportation, Department of Agriculture, Library of Congress, Architect of the Capitol and Veterans Affairs as well as other federal agencies; and
WHEREAS:
Official time is used by federal employees for union representation on such key matters as workplace safety and health, collective bargaining, new employee training programs, discrimination protection and other joint employer-employee efforts. It fosters positive labor-management discussions, problem solving and consensus building while enhancing morale and leadership opportunities.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
That AFSCME will continue to defend the federal workforce from unfair political attacks and work in the U.S. Congress, along with our allies, to prevent any legislative or executive branch action, including the privatization of public services, that would adversely affect federal employees; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That AFSCME opposes all proposals to restrict workers’ due-process rights, workplace protections, collective bargaining rights and the capacity of federal employee unions to represent workers effectively; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That AFSCME shall continue its legal efforts challenging the anti-worker and unlawful executive orders undermining federal employee rights and collective bargaining; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That AFSCME will partner with allied unions and organizations to advocate for the needs and enforce the rights of federal government workers, including calling upon the U.S. Congress to enact progressive legislation to assist federal workers and strengthen their unions; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:
That AFSCME opposes federal spending caps, cuts, rescissions and sequesters that reduce the federal workforce, cut the compensation of workers and weaken the government’s capacity to deliver critical public services to America.
SUBMITTED BY:
Corey Upchurch, Delegate
AFSCME Local 1959, Council 20
Washington, D.C.
