Executive Council Statement | Better Pay and Benefits

In Support of New York City's Bid for the 2012 Olympic Games

Las Vegas
Whereas, the AFL-CIO has considered the importance and significance of hosting the 2012 Olympic Games in New York City for the City, State, Region and United States of America, as well as for the working men and women in a wide range of unions that would benefit from hosting the world's greatest international sporting event in one of the world's greatest cities;

Whereas, the Olympic and Paralympic Games (the "Games") bring together the world's athletes to pursue their dreams through fair competition, thereby contributing to building a peaceful and better world;

Whereas, New York, with its extraordinary mix of people, languages and cultures, has responded with enormous enthusiasm for hosting the Games;

Whereas, the 2012 Games in New York City would provide tremendous opportunities for the region's youth through sports, fitness, personal development and job creation;

Whereas, the 2012 Games in New York City would leave a legacy of urban transformation, youth sports and health programs, and modern sports and recreational facilities that would benefit the region for generations to come;

Whereas, the 2012 Games in New York City would generate nearly $12 billion in
economic activity for the region, creating tens of thousands of new jobs;

Whereas, the Olympic Games will serve as a catalyst for the historic redevelopment of the Hudson Yards, the creation of 4,500 units of housing on the Queens waterfront, the creation and redevelopment of over 800 acres of parkland, and construction of three new multi-purpose arenas in New York City for community use and the hosting of amateur sports competitions and world championships;

Whereas, local support of New York City's bid to host the 2012 Games includes hundreds of community and nationality organizations, public officials across the political spectrum, corporations and labor unions, and civic, academic, cultural, and sports organizations;

Whereas, member unions of the City's Central Labor Council participate in leadership roles in NYC2012's bid, including representation on its Board;

Whereas, the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York and the Hotel and Motel Workers have provided NYC2012 with No-Strike Pledges for all Olympic-related work;
New York City's Bid For The 2012 Olympic Games 2

Whereas, the hosting of the 2012 Games in New York City will provide the working men and women of the State, City and Region extraordinary opportunities for employment and career advancement;

Whereas, the New York State AFL-CIO has brought to the attention of the AFL-CIO the commitment of the labor movement in New York City to this worthwhile endeavor and the integral role it intends to play in the Games of 2012 and has urged the AFL-CIO to support New York City's Olympic bid;

Now, therefore, be it resolved that the AFL-CIO commends the efforts of the New York City Central Labor Council and its member unions for their strong support of New York City's Olympic bid, in particular the powerful No-Strike Pledges provided to date, and supports other unions critical to the delivery of Olympic-related services in making similar commitments; and

Be it further resolved that the AFL-CIO expresses its strong support for the City's Olympic bid and the efforts of NYC2012 to work closely with the City labor unions to ensure that the needs and interests of workers in the City are respected and that the Games of 2012 will meet the highest international standards.