UE Convention Resolutions
Collective Bargaining Rights
For Public Employees
Employees of state and local governments provide vital services such as health care, sanitation, and education. Yet millions are denied collective bargaining rights, particularly in the South. Even where collective bargaining rights are established, constant vigilance is required to maintain these hard-won rights.
Denial of the right to collectively bargain puts public-sector workers at a distinct disadvantage to secure better working conditions for themselves, a better living standard for their families, and a forum to secure quality services for our communities.
We are proud that the International Workers Justice Campaign, initiated by UE Local 150, is leading the way in repealing the prohibition of collective bargaining in North Carolina, as well as Virginia and West Virginia. We are forging unity and solidarity between the labor movement and the civil rights movement. The work of our statewide unions in North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia, with their multiracial membership and leadership, represents a powerful weapon for social progress.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THIS 71st UE CONVENTION:
- Calls for the union to initiate and endorse coalitions and campaigns to win collective bargaining rights for public employees;
- Urges the union to work with state legislatures where we have public-sector members with collective bargaining to strengthen these rights for all public workers – including the right to strike;
- Supports the UE Public Workers Conference to bring together public workers from locals to share experiences, engage in common training and develop plans for organizing, building, and strengthening the public sector;
- Expresses its support for the labor education and work associated with the International Workers Justice Campaign, and call on all locals to continue to support this struggle by holding demonstrations and sending faxes and e-mails to the government of North Carolina demanding the repeal of General Statute 95-98, and the government of Virginia to repeal Virginia Code 40.1-57.2 Prohibition Against Collective Bargaining;
- Calls for the development of political action materials to educate elected officials and the general public about the need for collective bargaining for public employees;
- Calls for continued work at the international level to explore international law to challenge the violation of workers' rights in the public sector, especially in the South;
- Call on the union at all levels to support OSHA protection for public-sector employees.