WHEREAS:
This resolution is regarding restoring full, direct funding to State Employment/Job Service Centers to provide a public service and labor exchange, including job referrals, job counseling, employment training, aptitude testing and unemployment, insurance claims benefits processing; and
WHEREAS:
The Wagner Peyser Act provided for a full service labor exchange for the job seekers and employers as necessary with full funding; and
WHEREAS:
The Wagner Peyser Act with the Job Training Partnership Act (JPTA) changed the way funding is allocated to the state job service centers for employment training, placement and counseling services; and
WHEREAS:
When the State of Indiana, with the support of the United States Department of Labor, has sought to implement the takeover of Wagner Peyser services by JTPA agencies, beginning in 1989, AFSCME assumed leadership of the battle and has won important court victories to protect our members and their services; and
WHEREAS:
The recent press release describes JOB Training 2000 that would further change these job service centers to "SKILL CENTERS" and change the administration of these offices to the Private Industry Councils oversight and would not be the "one stop shopping" that is described in this initiative and could cost state employees jobs.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
That the state employees continue to provide full referral, counseling, training and placement services; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That AFSCME International adopt a National Policy to protect state employees jobs, "clients" needs for a public service of equal access and provide legal protection. Also provide lobbying efforts on a national basis to restore job service centers funding and protect them from further erosion from the JTPA funding formula, and from privatization or contracting out in any way; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:
That AFSCME continue to seek ways to protect the Employment Service and other Federal employment and training programs from deep cuts in the face of overall Federal budget pressures and to preserve the opportunity in Federal law to realize a truly universal labor exchange as originally envisioned by the Wagner Peyser Act.
SUBMITTED BY:
0. Rowland Williams, President
Ernie Bennett, Treasurer
AFSCME Local 1060, Council 28
Washington