WHEREAS:

Since the middle of the 1970s, while productivity has risen steadily, wages have stagnated and purchasing power decreased. During this same period, while some have argued that business owners and companies cannot afford to pay their employees higher wages, America has seen a stark increase in the share of the national income held by the wealthiest Americans. Top CEOs make roughly 300 times what the average worker makes. This trend, together with inflation, has had a devastating effect on working families, especially those living in poverty; and

WHEREAS:

In efforts to defeat campaigns for fair wage increases, right-wing politicians continue to praise failed trickle-down economic policies that don’t distribute wealth among working people or create long-term, well-paid jobs. In reality, these policies enable companies to compensate their executives and stockholders, while reducing their workforce, and recent tax reforms have shifted additional wealth into the hands of the ultra-rich; and

WHEREAS:

The federal minimum wage was established in 1938 to ensure that workers are fairly compensated for their labor and able to afford a decent quality of life. Since its establishment, however, infrequent increases have not kept up with inflation. The current federal minimum wage is only $7.25 an hour, and is far too low; and

WHEREAS:

The "Fight for $15" put the issue of the minimum wage in the public’s attention and has contributed to minimum wage increases in several states and cities, including Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Seattle; and

WHEREAS:

Americans are struggling to pay for health care, food, housing, child care and other basic needs, and desperately need a raise, and a union. Additionally, workers around the globe are facing similar issues; and

WHEREAS:

When business owners invest in their workers by giving them fair wages, workers are likely to spend or save more of their bigger paychecks, and in the process, stimulate the economy and create new jobs. Additionally, fair wage and compensation packages promote long-term employment and reduce the amount of time and money businesses spend on training and retraining employees.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME will support and lobby in favor of living wages for American workers, in cities, states and other localities across the country; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME will endorse mobilizations and campaigns for living wages across the country, and work with other unions, civil rights organizations, clergy, community groups and other advocacy groups to raise wages across the United States; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

That AFSCME will support an increase in the federal minimum wage and oppose "trickle-down" economic policies that aim to prevent wage increases for workers.