Submitted by Union Label and Service Trades Department
WHEREAS, the United States has lost millions of good-paying manufacturing jobs during the past 50 years and recently has begun losing large numbers of white-collar professional jobs, as well; and
WHEREAS, good jobs with decent wages and benefits are essential to a healthy society and a growing economy; and
WHEREAS, U.S. Department of Commerce figures show consumer spending accounts for 68 percent of the $10 trillion U.S. gross domestic product, giving shoppers enormous power over the economy and labor market; and
WHEREAS, it is important to continue to focus attention on the products and services produced and performed by union workers in the United States; and
WHEREAS, the union labels, shop cards, store cards and service buttons that identify many of these products and services are hallmarks of quality and symbols of fair labor standards; and
WHEREAS, the winter holidays are the biggest shopping season of the year and, therefore, offer the best opportunity to wield our buying power in support of good jobs;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that all national and international unions of the AFL-CIO declare the 10 calendar days commencing the Friday after Thanksgiving to be Buy Union Week; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all national and international unions of the AFL-CIO will use all available means to publicize Buy Union Week and to organize our co-workers, relatives, neighbors, friends and the buying public to give the gift of good jobs by purchasing union-made gifts for the Christmas, Chanukah and Kwanzaa holidays.