WHEREAS:

Despite the fact that the Civil Rights Act is 20 years old, many barriers to equal access to jobs, promotions and other employment opportunities still remain. Meaningful affirmative action plans are as necessary in 1984 as in 1964 to ensure that minorities and women take their rightful places in our economic system; and

WHEREAS:

The Reagan Administration's record on Civil Rights Law Enforcement and affirmative action is deplorable. This total lack of commitment is evidenced by the wholesale dismantling of civil rights enforcement machinery throughout the Federal Government. The Civil Rights Commission, the Paramount Governmental Advocacy Organization for civil rights matters, has been stacked with Reaganite Ideologues who have so reversed the work of the Commission that minority and women's organizations are now pushing for its defunding. The reduction in the Federal Government's commitment to remedying discrimination has adversely affected the participation of minorities and women in state and local government employment.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME reaffirm its commitment to voluntary employer affirmative action programs, and that AFSCME locals and councils monitor their employers' affirmative action performance by reviewing affirmative action plans and workforce statistics, insisting that meaningful progress be made; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That all AFSCME agreements be reviewed to ensure that they contain nothing discriminatory against employees because of race, sex, national origin, creed, color, age, sexual preference or disability. Strong affirmative action language in each agreement be stressed in contract negotiations, calling for fair layoff procedures and adequate upward mobility training; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That councils and locals resist layoffs which may be politically motivated, unjustified, or an attempt to return to discriminatory practices of the past, and ensure that layoff procedures are not used to permit rollbacks in recently initiated affirmative action gains; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That education programs by the International Union, councils and locals to help members recognize and combat discrimination continue; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME provide support through the local unions for those members who have been discriminated against in their workplace by pursuing the filing of charges and legal actions where appropriate; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME opposes the Administration's lack of commitment to civil rights; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

That AFSCME will continue to oppose the Administration's efforts by working to strengthen the enforcement of civil rights laws.

SUBMITTED BY:

Taylor Rogers, President
Doris V. Partee, Vice President
Council Edwards, Secretary-Treasurer
Hattie B. Dugger, Recording Secretary
Local 1733
Memphis, Tennessee

Ronald C. Alexander, President-Elect, Delegate and
International Vice President
OCSEA/AFSCME, Local 11
Columbus, Ohio