WHEREAS:

Over 210,000 persons in the United States suffer from Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), and more than one person in 250 is already infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Many of these are AFSCME members and their families; and

WHEREAS:

Hospital, mental health and other health care workers, corrections officers, and other AFSCME members come into frequent contact with patients, residents, inmates and clients who may be HIV-infected; and

WHEREAS:

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has recently issued a Bloodborne Pathogens standard, but 27 states still do not provide OSHA coverage for public employees. Many hospitals and other institutions where employees have contact with blood and body fluids do not follow universal blood-borne, disease precautions, do not train employees about HIV/AIDS, and do not supply equipment necessary to protect employees; and

WHEREAS:

Persons with HIV infections suffer discrimination in the workplace, in housing, in health insurance and in other areas; and

WHEREAS:

Many cities have been particularly hard hit by the HIV/AIDS pandemic and are in dire need of federal assistance. Overburdened public hospitals in these cities, which treat most of the indigent HIV/AIDS patients, are becoming even more heavily burdened; and

WHEREAS:

AFSCME staff is increasingly being called on to deal with HIV/AIDS related workplace and community problems. These include providing education for AFSCME members, defending the rights of members with HIV/AIDS, and becoming involved in community HIV/AIDS coalitions; and

WHEREAS:

AFSCME has received a 5-year grant from the Centers for Disease Control to provide education and training for members on HIV/AIDS related issues.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME urge all employers to educate employees about HIV/AIDS, how it is contracted, how to prevent infection in the workplace and in their personal lives, and how to defend the rights of persons, including coworkers, who are HIV positive or who have AIDS; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME propose and support contract language, laws and regulations that require OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens standard to apply to all workers; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME councils and locals urge regulatory agencies and employers to take actions to protect HIV-infected workers from workplace exposure to tuberculosis; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME strongly oppose mandatory testing of employees in the workplace; and that AFSCME strongly oppose mandatory anti-body testing of any group or individual except where special circumstances require such testing; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME encourage voluntary HIV-antibody testing as long as there is informed consent, confidentiality, anonymity (if requested), protection against discrimination and counseling before and after the test; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME urge the federal government to provide increased aid for cities hardest hit by HIV/AIDS and provide support for public hospitals where most indigent HIV/AIDS patients are treated, and that AFSCME strongly urge the federal government to support an increase in government-funded education programs; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME International go on record for equitable and fair spending of AIDS dollars for direct services for persons with AIDS; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME International notify the National Commission on AIDS and other related national organizations of its position; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

That AFSCME make every effort to fight discrimination against persons who are HIV-positive so that they will be able to work as long as they are able.

SUBMITTED BY:

Henry Nicholas, IVP and President
Kathy J. Sackman, IVP and Secretary-Treasurer
NUHHCE AFSCME Local 1199
Pennsylvania and California

Charles Hicks, President and Delegate
AFSCME Local 1808, Council 20
District of Columbia