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Resolutions & Amendments

40th International Convention - Los Angeles, CA (2012)

POLICY TO PROTECT AFSCME MEMBERS’ RIGHT TO PRIVACY REGARDING SOCIAL MEDIA WEBSITES

Resolution No. 15
40th International Convention
Los Angeles Convention Center
June 18 - 22, 2012
Los Angeles, CA

WHEREAS:

            Social media websites serve as incredible tools for communicating and interacting with AFSCME and other union brothers and sisters across this great nation and abroad; and

WHEREAS:

            Active AFSCME members should not be forced to share or reveal their passwords, “like,” and log-in to social media websites on the clock; and

WHEREAS:

            Potential AFSCME members should not be forced to share or reveal their passwords, “like,” and log-in to social media websites during a job interview in order to secure employment; and

WHEREAS:

            AFSCME members who are part of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community are at risk of “outing” themselves and other union brothers and sisters and face workplace harassment, discrimination, and termination because of their sexual identity and expression, if forced to comply with management’s request, especially if there are no laws to protect them where they reside.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

            AFSCME International stands opposed to management’s attempts to make AFSCME members vulnerable by way of compromising their rights to privacy when management requests or demands that members share or reveal passwords, “like,” and log-in to social media websites; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

            AFSCME’s affiliates adopt a similar policy and actively engage to codify language into collective bargaining contracts opposing such management practices that require our members to share or reveal their passwords, “like,” and log-in to social media websites.

SUBMITTED BY:     Behrouz Fathi, President and Delegate

Jon Forster, Secretary and Delegate
AFSCME Local 375, District Council 37
New York