Convention Resolution

Resolution 21: Supporting AFL-CIO Unions Facing Raids by Independent Unions

Submitted by American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees


WHEREAS, in recent years there has been an increasing amount of raids on AFL-CIO unions by independent unions; and

WHEREAS, such raiding activity undermines trade union solidarity and weakens the ability of AFL-CIO unions to establish and maintain wage and benefit standards for working men and women and their families; and

WHEREAS, the AFL-CIO Executive Council established a special committee, chaired by ALPA President Woerth, to develop a coordinated strategy for responding aggressively to the threats posed by those independents that make their living by preying on already organized workers or otherwise interfering with legitimate organizing campaigns by AFL-CIO unions; and

WHEREAS, history has shown that raider unions negotiate inferior contracts, deliver little or no services to their members and lower standards for all workers; and

WHEREAS, the special committee has called upon all affiliates to work together to defeat these raiders and to develop a coordinated plan for coming to the aid of any affiliate that is facing a raid; and

WHEREAS, AFSCME supports the work of the special committee and urges all affiliates to heed its call for unity;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the AFL-CIO Convention calls upon all affiliates, including state and local central bodies in every state, to work together to defeat these unprincipled attacks on trade union solidarity; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the AFL-CIO Convention urges the Executive Council to accord priority consideration to providing the resources needed to defeat these raids.