Resolutions adopted by MLKCLC in 2017

(See list at page bottom for past years)

Resolution in Support of King County’s Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy

08-16-17
 

Whereas King County residents have previously affirmed their commitment to the men and women who serve our country and to individuals and families in need by voting for the Veterans and Human Services Levy when it was first proposed in 2005 and again, when it was renewed, in 2011; and

Whereas King County has a vision for its future: a place where everyone has the opportunity to achieve their potential, regardless of income, race, ethnicity, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or place of birth; and

Whereas King County’s VHSL is unique across the county for the magnitude and breadth of commitment and leadership that it embodies by investing in veterans and vulnerable populations; and

Whereas, at the direction of the County Council, over the past year, King County did outreach involving more than 43 community conversations and focus groups, online surveys and heard from over 1,000 residents to determine how well the current levy resources respond to community needs and to identify trends and gaps in health and human services; and

Whereas it was determined that the VHSL levy is a vital resource and benefit to the community because it provides for basic human services needs that are not funded by other sources; and

Whereas there is continued uncertainty and unease about future federal funding for health and human services, especially the potential erosion of the fragile gains made in improving access to health and behavioral health services; and

Whereas vital emerging need was found in the area of Seniors and their caregivers and the need to address the harmful impacts of isolation, housing and services for this growing population and those currently served by the levy; and

Whereas the values of Martin Luther King County and the MLKCLC include fighting for social and economic justice and align with the goals of the VSHSL; and

Whereas Executive Constantine has committed to supporting a rebate program for low-income Seniors and disabled Veterans who would otherwise pay this tax and an effort to pass legislation at the state level committing to the same exemption across levies; now, therefore be it

Resolved, that the MLKCLC will support the proposed VSHSL levy currently before King County voters.

Resolution in Support of the Washington State Convention Center Addition

08-16-17
 

Whereas conventions generate economic development and jobs for the region and King County; and

Whereas the Washington State Convention Center is one of the most popular destinations in the country for conventions and regularly turns away business because of lack of capacity; and

Whereas the Washington State Convention Center Addition will more than double the current Convention Center capacity; and

Whereas the Addition will have significant benefits to the local economy, including $200 million per year in spending from out of state visitors and $30-40 million in spending from in state visitors; and

Whereas the Addition will employ as many as 6,000 union workers during construction and the Washington State Convention Center has entered into a Project Labor Agreement with the Seattle/King County Building & Construction Trades Council; and

Whereas the Addition will add hundreds of permanent union jobs at the Washington State Convention Center Addition; and

Whereas the Washington State Convention Center has entered into a partnership with UNITE HERE to create a Hospitality Training Program to invest in and train hospitality workers who will be employed as a result of the Addition and other visitors to Seattle; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, that the MLKCLC supports the Washington State Convention Center Addition and urges the City of Seattle to approve the project as soon as possible.

Resolution in Support of Strengthening Workplace Protections for Farm Workers

08-16-17
 

Whereas Honesto Silva Ibarra, a 28-year-old father of three died on August 6, 2017, from a heat-related illness while employed at Sarbanand Blueberry Farms in Sumas, WA; and

Whereas four other farm workers from Sarbanand farms suffered severe dehydration, with symptoms including facial paralysis and extreme migraines; and

Whereas the supervisors at Sarbanand farms denied workers’ requests for more time to rest and cool off during the heatwave, in violation of the WA state outdoor heat exposure rules WAC 296-307-097; and

Whereas over 80 workers were fired for going on strike to protest the labor conditions that surrounded the death of Honesto Silva Ibarra; and

Whereas a heatwave and air pollution from nearby wildfires created dangerous working conditions that were not adequately addressed by Sarbanand Farm management; and

Whereas the guestworker H-2A program mandates that employers provide transportation, food, housing, medical care, and visa-processing which leaves guest workers entirely dependent on their employers and particularly at risk for employer-abuse; and

Whereas the current Labor and Industries regulations, which state that outdoor workers have a 10 minute break every four hours, do not adequately protect workers during extreme heat and hazardous air quality; and

Whereas outdoor workers face the most workplace risk from episodes of extreme outdoor heat and poor ambient air quality and these will become more frequent due to the effects of greenhouse gas emissions; and

Whereas the MLKCLC and Washington State Labor Council Climate Caucus are focused on discussing solutions and building dialogue around a just transition to a clean-energy economy centered on those most impacted by climate change - workers and communities of color – as stated in WSLC Resolution #6; now, therefore be it

Resolved, that we support the community and union organizing work with farmworkers in Washington state who are fighting for fair wages, fair treatment, and fair working conditions through organizations including Community to Community Development and Familias Unidas por la Justicia; and be it further

Resolved, that we call upon the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries to strengthen farm inspections. The inspections should require direct communication with workers; and be it further

Resolved, that we advocate for an overhaul of the guestworker H-2A visa program to better protect workers from exploitation; and be it finally

Resolved, that we fight for stronger workplace protections from the harmful physical impacts of heatwaves and wildfires, which will be made worse by human emissions of greenhouse gasses.

Beware of the Soda Tax: It Is Not What It Seems
 May 17, 2017

Whereas the City of Seattle is in the process of creating a proposal to implement a beverage tax; and

Whereas beverage taxes have taken many forms over the years and have generally been defeated on valid grounds; and

Whereas for those cities currently experiencing a budget shortfall, the beverage tax has become an increasingly attractive revenue source; and

Whereas the beverage tax proponents have changed their strategy by cleverly expanding the list of stated reasons for the tax beyond obesity by including diet soda, universal pre-school programs, improved libraries, community centers and parks, while at the same time refusing to consider the adverse impact that this special tax will have on the thousands of Union members who produce, warehouse and deliver these products; now, therefore be it

Resolved, that the Martin Luther King County Labor Council here assembled commit to protect the jobs of our working families by demanding that any beverage tax proposal include measures to address the potential adverse impact upon our members; and be it finally

Resolved, that if the proponents refuse to address the unfair impact upon our members, we are duty bound to oppose and defeat the proposal

Towards a Just Transition to Renewable Energy to Combat Climate Change

May 17, 2017

Whereas the overwhelming scientific consensus is that climate-warming trends over the past century are due to human activities, and most of the world’s leading scientific organizations have issued public statements endorsing this position; and

Whereas we are already experiencing the warming of the planet at a dangerously rapid rate, primarily as a result of our reliance on carbon-based fossil fuels, deforestation and other human activities that have caused a dramatic increase in the global level of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases; and

Whereas according to the Congress of South African Trade Unions, there were already, in 2011, 150 million climate refugees around the world, with more certain to follow because “it is the working class, the poor and developing countries that will be most adversely affected by climate change”; and

Whereas unless we curb the emissions that cause climate change, average temperatures in the United States could be at least 3 to 9 degrees Fahrenheit higher by 2100, with potential consequences including sea-level rise of at least 3 to 6 feet, more powerful hurricanes, more powerful tornadoes, prolonged drought, larger and more frequent wildfires, much more severe winter storms in some areas, reduction to agricultural productivity with resulting food shortages and famine, spread of disease, and plant and animal extinctions that threaten to eliminate up to half of all living species on earth; and

Whereas scientists say that there may still be time to prevent the most catastrophic levels of global warming—if we eliminate the burning of fossil fuels worldwide within the next few years, which is perfectly feasible with existing technology; and

Whereas emergency measures must be taken to prevent catastrophic increases in global warming that will trigger irreversible changes to our biosphere; and

Whereas at the present rate of carbon emission and consequent global warming, we could reach that tipping point by 2050 or sooner; and

Whereas the global movement for climate justice is demanding urgent action by our governments, including an encyclical by Pope Francis that lays out the moral imperative for transforming our economy and social practices; and

Whereas we will solve the climate crisis only when we in the labor movement put our unions at the center of the climate justice movement; and

Whereas there is no good reason why the richest nation in the world cannot fund protection for its workers as we move to minimize reliance on fossil fuels; millions of good jobs can be created by  increasing energy efficiency, reliance on renewable energy, and the rebuilding of our infrastructure; and

Whereas there are several bills before Congress to tax carbon pollution, such as the Climate Protection and Justice Act, which would use the funds to provide rebates to households making less than $100,000 per year; and

Whereas the Clean Energy Just Transition Act is an example of legislation that would protect workers whose jobs were lost because of the transition away from fossil fuels; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, that this body of the MLKCLC supports a transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy; and be it further

Resolved, that this body of the MLKCLC will support legislation that enables a just transition for workers and communities directly affected by the transition to a renewable energy economy, and such legislation should include appropriate protections for workers in the fossil fuel industries; and be it finally

Resolved, that this resolution be sent to the Washington State Labor Council for action by that body.

Resolution In Support of the AFM 76-493 Play Safe Seattle Campaign

April 19, 2017

Whereas the election of Donald Trump emboldened racist, misogynist, homophobic, and transphobic sections of the population; and

Whereas both local and national crime statistics show that hate crimes against marginalized communities are on the increase; and

Whereas many union members are at risk for attack because of the hours they work, their work venues, and their racial, sexual, or gender identities; and

Whereas the labor movement stands with vulnerable communities in resisting hate crimes and the right-wing ideology that promotes them; and

Whereas when workers stand together against hate crimes all of us – organized or not – benefit; and

Whereas the AFM 76-493 Play Safe Seattle campaign is an example of workers taking the initiative to protect themselves and their communities against hate crimes; now, therefore be it

Resolved, that MLKCLC will work with AFM 76-493 on their Play Safe Seattle campaign, designating at least one member of the MLKCLC Diversity Committee to be a liaison with the campaign; and be it further

Resolved, that MLKCLC will recommend to its affiliates that they also develop programs to protect potential victims of hate crimes; and be it finally

Resolved, that MLKCLC sends a copy of this resolution to WSLC with a request to do likewise.

Resolution to Stand with ILWU Airport Workers for a Just Contract at Sea-Tac

March 15, 2017

Whereas the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) is a union within the Maritime Trades constituency of this Council; and

Whereas ILWU Local 9’s membership is made up of workers who perform aviation security and operations at Sea-Tac airport; and

Whereas ILWU Local 9 members have been fighting at the Port of Seattle for a fair contract, working under an extension of an expired agreement for more than two years; and

Whereas Port of Seattle management attempted to privatize and outsource new Local 9 security work to Delta Airlines; and

Whereas ILWU Local 9 fought the attempt and secured Port recognition of new hires as Local 9 members; and

Whereas Port of Seattle management has meanwhile tried to obstruct and avoid resolution of a new agreement which would retain new and existing employees who keep the airport safe and running smoothly through worker protections, fair wages, and working conditions; and

Whereas the former Port of Seattle CEO recently resigned in part because of improper use of millions of taxpayer dollars, paid largely to Port managers; and

Whereas Port staff continue to claim in bargaining that basic wage parity and maintenance of affordable health benefits are not financially possible; and

Whereas Port staff even called armed police on members’ bargaining committee recently in response to heated conversation at the table, in an apparent attempt to intimidate members; and  

Whereas ILWU Local 9 members have made every effort to move forward for a swift and fair resolution of bargaining, through informal sidebar discussions, public mediation, and other available venues; now, therefore be it

Resolved, that by the adoption of this resolution, the Martin Luther King County Labor Council and its affiliates shall support ILWU Local 9 members to secure fair treatment of workers who keep our airport safe and running smoothly for the public.

Resolution in Opposition to the American Health Care Act

March 15, 2017

Whereas under the American Health Care Act (AHCA), 24 million Americans will lose healthcare insurance coverage; and

Whereas loss of insurance coverage means these 24 million patients will delay seeking care until conditions have worsened and become far more expensive, will turn to high-cost Emergency Rooms for care rather than getting care in a more economical clinic setting, and will need financial aid and “charity care” to support their treatment, all of which harm those patients and increase costs on the healthcare system; and

Whereas the increased cost of the 24 million uninsured will be passed on to everyone including employers who pay for health benefits for employees, making employer-sponsored coverage less affordable; and

Whereas the AHCA includes tax cuts of $207,000 for the top 0.1% of wage earners while the lowest 20% of wage earners would receive tax cuts of just $150, creating a huge redistribution of wealth from working people to the wealthy; and

Whereas it is harmful to our economy to tax healthcare benefits in our system that relies primarily on employer-based healthcare; and

Whereas we value caring for those in need and see attempts to slash, block grant, and eventually end Medicaid as we know it as an unconscionable attack on children, elders, people with disabilities, and those most in need of care; and

Whereas healthcare is a human right and our nation should strive to cover every individual with a health plan that focuses on patient care not profit rather than moving backward to deny care to more individuals; and

Whereas as a labor movement, we fight to protect working people’s access to healthcare and for a more just and humane society; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, that the MLKCLC strongly opposes the American Health Care Act and the Republican plan to repeal the Affordable Care Act without ensuring an acceptable replacement, and be it further

Resolved, we will educate and mobilize our membership to oppose this attempt to deny healthcare access and transfer wealth from working people to the wealthy; and be it further

Resolved, we call on Congress and the President to improve our nation’s health care system by ensuring quality, affordable health care for all; and be it further

Resolved, that the MLKCLC forwards this resolution to the Washington State Labor Council for adoption & for the State labor council to forward it to all affiliates of the WSLC & to the National AFL-CIO; and be it finally

Resolved, that the MLKCLC encourages affiliates to share this resolution with their membership, their local executive boards, and their international presidents, condemning the Republican AHCA & urge adoption.

Resolution to Plan and Support May 1^st Day of Resistance
March 15, 2017

Whereas the Martin Luther King County Labor Council (MLKCLC) has historically joined with allies in the immigrant rights movement to promote and participate on May 1^st as a national day of action;

Whereas this year, the election of Donald Trump has already catalyzed renewed attacks not only on unions and immigrant workers’ rights, but also on Muslims, transgender individuals, the disabled, as well as our health care system, freedom of religion, public education, science, and the environment; and

Whereas now more than ever it is critical that the labor movement and allies unify and mobilize in mass actions to resist these attacks; and

Whereas since January 2017 we’ve seen several massive nationwide protests and collective expressions that have mobilized hundreds of thousands of people to join together and oppose these attacks, such as the Womxn’s March, the mobilizations of thousands of Washington State workers to oppose right-to-work bill in the state Legislature, and the spontaneous occupations of airports by thousands across the country in response to Trump’s Muslim travel ban; and

Whereas MLKCLC affiliates totaling more than ten thousand members (UAW 4121, WFSE 304, SEA) have already passed resolutions in support of strike actions on May 1^st, and other affiliates are discussing plans for May 1^st to help create the strongest worker-led  protest in Seattle and King County; and

Whereas immigrant rights organizations nationwide are preparing for a May Day general strike; and

Whereas this is part of a growing national move to strike on May Day, as Philadelphia nurses, Chicago teachers, and janitors in California have all have voted to take steps toward striking on May 1st; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, that the Martin Luther King County Labor Council commits to joining with allies on May 1^st to plan, organize union members, and help gather resources for a day of resistance, direct action, community empowerment and voter engagement, kicking off solidarity actions to mobilize for progressive change nationwide; and, be it further

Resolved, that the Martin Luther King County Labor Council urges its affiliates to consider all forms of action on May 1, 2017, whether striking, walking out, taking sick days, extended lunch hours, exercising rights of conscience, organizing demonstrations or teach-ins, or any other acts of collective expression that builds solidarity across communities; and, be it finally

Resolved, that the MLKCLC will help organize a mass rally on May 1, 2017 in solidarity with El Comite and the May 1 Organizing Committee and other social justice organizations to bring together all workers, whether on strike or not, to show the maximum worker-led opposition to the agenda of Donald Trump and his allies at every level of government.

Resolution in Support of the International Women's Day March Against Trump

March 1, 2017

Whereas thousands of workers in King County have been leading and participating in multiple direct actions in recent months, not only to signal opposition to the divisive, anti-worker agenda of Donald Trump but also to be actively engaged in policy changes that will create positive change for all; and  

Whereas on March 8th, 2017, International Women’s Day, there will be an International Women’s Day March Against Trump based on principles used to help organize other recent mass actions (such as the Womxn’s March) including:

Strengthening Workers Rights

Pushing for equal pay and eliminating the gender pay gap

Fighting for equal treatment and an end to sexual harassment and sexual violence

Fighting all forms of discrimination

Strengthening Immigrant Rights

Protecting Reproductive Rights

Pushing for Environmental Justice; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, that the Martin Luther King County Labor Council endorses the International Women’s Day Action on Wednesday, March 8th at 6:00 p.m. in Westlake Park and will notify its affiliates and urge them to attend.

Resolution in Support of OPEIU Local 8 Negotiations with Welfare and Pension Administration Services

February 1, 2017

Whereas Welfare & Pension Administration Services, after months of bargaining with OPEIU Local 8, continues to stand by their proposals of extreme takeaways, eroding union rights, employee morale and financial security; and 

Whereas Welfare & Pension Administration Services' proposal includes the elimination of seniority rights as those rights pertain to layoffs, promotions, transfers, shift changes and vacations; and 

Whereas Welfare & Pension Administration Services' contract proposal includes reduction in health benefits, significantly increasing out of pocket costs for Local 8 members, and increasing the eligibility requirements for part-time employees to qualify for those benefits from 20 hours to 30 hours worked per week; and

Whereas Welfare & Pension Administration Services' proposal includes takeaways as follows:

~Sick leave benefits reduced from 12 to 7 days per year and no rollover of sick leave

~Vacation leave benefits for new hires after 1/1/17 reduced from up to 25 days to a maximum of 15 days; and 

Whereas Welfare & Pension Administration Services' proposal includes the elimination of union dues deductions; and

Whereas many affiliated MLKCLC unions' employees are provided benefits administered through Welfare & Pension Administration Services and any disruption of said benefits would be detrimental to the labor movement; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, that the MLKCLC communicate directly to Welfare &  Pension Administration Services expressing the Council's displeasure with the disrespectful way the company is negotiating with OPEIU 8; and be it finally

Resolved, that the MLKCLC encourage all affiliates to express their displeasure with Welfare & Pension Administration Services over the takeaways in their contract proposal to OPEIU Local 8.

Resolution Defending the Rights of Immigrant Workers Targeted by the Trump Administration

January 18, 2017

Whereas immigrant workers have always contributed tremendously to the economic, cultural, and political strength of our country, and are intertwined and indispensable to the industries – agricultural, service, academic, professional, science, manufacturing, medical, construction, technical and more – in which we contribute our labor and are organizing into unions; and

Whereas all workers are adversely affected when any worker is exploited; and

Whereas in recent years, the immigrant rights movement has made important strides in strengthening rights and protections, such as pushing President Obama to pass the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which allows young people who were brought to the United States before the age of 16 to stay in the country and work; and

Whereas in the most recent presidential election, Donald Trump and his backers promoted racism, sexism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, transphobia, homophobia, and anti-Semitism, and divided working people by playing to their fears and legitimate frustrations; and

Whereas among other statements Trump has threatened to deport millions of undocumented workers, end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival program, ban Muslim immigrants, end guest worker programs, and create a Muslim registry; and

Whereas after the election Trump and his supporters have continued to spout racism, nationalism, and bigotry, leading to an upsurge in hate crimes in our nation; and

Whereas in the same vein we also have seen Trump attack union leaders and other grassroots activists; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, that we refuse to become divided, committing ourselves instead to building a wall of resistance to Trump’s racism, sexism, xenophobia, homophobia, transphobia, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism along with other attacks he’s promised against working people; and be it further

Resolved, that we affirm our support for comprehensive immigration reform, which includes a pathway to citizenship for the 11 million undocumented immigrants currently in the U.S., and provides equal protection and increased enforcement of labor rights for all workers, including the right to organize; and be it further

Resolved, we will stand beside and take action with immigrant students and young workers under threat of losing the protective immigration status and work permits currently provided by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program; and be it further

Resolved, that we will reject and work to stop all attempts by the Trump Administration to create a Muslim registry or resume the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System, that targeted immigrant men from majority Muslim countries; and be it further

Resolved, that we will reject any effort to limit or eliminate changes to visa and work authorization programs that enable international students and scholars to gain work opportunities in the U.S.; and be it finally

Resolved, that we will unite with other groups in our community to defend the rights of our immigrant brothers, sisters, and friends by supporting local solidarity actions, sanctuary movements, and local and state legislative efforts to defend the rights of immigrants.
 

Resolution In Support of AFSCME Local 2084 (CASA)
 

January 4, 2017

Whereas employees in the King County Superior Court, Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program are represented by Washington State Council of County and City Employees, AFSCME, Council 2 and members of Local 2084;

Whereas CASA attorneys, CASA Supervisors, and Guardians ad Litem advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children, our most vulnerable citizens of King County. The work group of 16 attorneys and social workers is almost all female.  In 2009, after careful consideration, these hard working, dedicated professionals exercised their legal right to unite and request recognition as a bargaining group;  

Whereas in 2015, the Court excluded CASA staff and other unionized employees from a class compensation study.  The Court Administration raised the salaries of most non-represented staff including managers, excluding union members, late in 2015.  Court management advised members of Local 2084 CASA that raises were prohibited by union contracts. However, nothing in the union contracts prohibit agreements to raise employee salaries and maintain fairness;  

Whereas the Court and the County did not work with the Union proactively to correct the inequity and, during bargaining, refused to stop penalizing union members and restore equity;

Whereas CASA Supervisors and the Family Court Services social workers have long received equal pay and benefits, having been seen and described by management as equivalent positions. Nevertheless, the Court gave raises only to non-represented staff, deliberately disadvantaging the CASA staff due only to their represented status;

Whereas inequities hurt everyone. Both the Superior Court and the County Executive should avoid the perception of penalizing employees for engaging in unionizing. A Court, in particular, should never retaliate against staff for exercising their legal rights. Neither should the Court and County exacerbate pay inequities between women and men, or value the employees serving the most vulnerable less than employees serving other populations. Instead, the County and Court should be leaders in the promotion of fairness and inclusion; now, therefore, be it

Resolved that the Martin Luther King County Labor Council calls upon the King County Executive, the King County Superior Court Chief Judge, and the Superior Court Chief Administrative Officer, to immediately rectify this situation and do what is just and fair for these employees, including compensating them for lost wages in 2016 and promising not to do the same thing again; and be it further

Resolved that we implore all other Labor Brothers and Sisters to be aware of this injustice and to help us herald a new wave of solidarity as may be needed if this employer fails to provide equity in this circumstance in the near future.