About the UWUA
2007 CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION RESOLUTIONS
R-1: 21ST CENTURY VISION FOR UNION STRENGTH AND GROWTH
R-2: TRAINING TO BE THE BEST
R-3: POLITICAL ACTION
R-4: UNIVERSAL NATIONAL HEALTHCARE
R-5: LIVING WAGE
R-6: HUMAN RIGHTS
R-7: CESAR E. CHAVEZ NATIONAL HOLIDAY
R-8: GROWTH AND STRATEGIC ORGANIZING
R-9: THE RIGHT TO ORGANIZE
R-10: FIGHTING SMART: STRONG CONTRACTS TO SET INDUSTRY STANDARDS
R-11: BARGAINING TO ORGANIZE
R-12: REGULATION
R-13: QUALITY OF SERVICE STANDARDS FOR UTILITY COMPANIES
R-14: PENSION PROTECTION
R-15: RETIREMENT SECURITY
R-16: GOOD JOBS AND ENERGY INDEPENDENCE
R-17: SUPPORTING THE CONTINUED OPERATION OF NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
R-18: OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH
R-1: 21ST CENTURY VISION FOR UNION STRENGTH AND GROWTH
WHEREAS, the Utility Workers Union of America represents more than 50,000 men and women who provide indispensable services to residents and communities across the country; and
WHEREAS, in order to meet expectations and make the most of the challenges posed by the modern workplace, UWUA members must have a realistic vision of where we want our union to go in the next five to ten years; and
WHEREAS, the UWUA's strength in traditional industries, such as coal, nuclear, water, electric, gas, office and professional workers, municipal workers, etc. has been the cornerstone of the union's strength for nearly 70 years; and
WHEREAS, energy industries of the future open new opportunities for the UWUA as it works to provide strong jobs with good wages, benefits and working conditions for all utility workers; and
WHEREAS, rank-and-file member involvement is essential to addressing issues facing UWUA members, especially in areas of training, safety, organizing, health care, pensions, job security, and regulatory issues; and
WHEREAS, regardless of our job or industry, we are all proud utility workers who are, without question, the safest, most productive and most highly-skilled workers in the country; and
WHEREAS, UWUA members face many challenges to our union, to our industries and to our jobs brought about by deregulation, mergers, corporate downsizing, skyrocketing health care costs, insecure pensions and new technologies; and
WHEREAS, the UWUA believes that if a man or woman works for a utility anywhere in the United States, they rightfully should belong to the Utility Workers Union of America; and
WHEREAS, many of the issues facing utility workers, and working Americans in general, are directly linked to politics and to decisions made by elected officials at the local, state and national levels; and
WHEREAS, optimism, vision and teamwork are essential to building a stronger union that can remain a leading voice for positive changes for working families,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that delegates attending the UWUA's 28th Constitutional Convention pledge our full and complete support to the National Union's campaign to actively engage local unions in an open dialogue about how to build greater union strength and unity; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that in order to remain a relevant voice for utility workers in the 21st Century, the UWUA will become more aggressive in the workplace, more assertive at the bargaining table, more responsive in the legislative arena and more accountable to the membership; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the UWUA will build union strength by organizing in traditional industries as well as organizing non-union workers in industries that will power the future; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the UWUA will keep the national momentum of the 2006 election going strong in 2008 when we support a presidential candidate who supports issues important to working families, including one who supports crucial legislative initiatives such as the Employee Free Choice Act; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the UWUA of the 21st Century will establish and fund programs to ensure that UWUA members remain the best trained, highest-skilled, safest and most productive workers in every facet of our core industries. This is our mission as we fulfill the theme of our Twenty-eighth Constitutional Convention: Building A Brighter Future, Providing America's Resources.
SUBMITTED BY: NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
R-2: TRAINING TO BE THE BEST
WHEREAS, the objective of the Utility Workers Union of America is to secure improved wages, hours, working conditions, and other economic advantages, requires highly trained members who are provided with all the skills necessary to adapt to the changing requirements of their craft; and
WHEREAS, the union needs to be active in providing skills-based training programs for our members to improve the security of their employment, work opportunities, and the success of their industries; and
WHEREAS, continuous skill improvement of our membership will allow us to maintain our demands for reasonable hours, fair wages and improved working conditions; and
WHEREAS, many employers require additional employees with skills necessary to perform work within traditional work group classifications; and
WHEREAS, providing training to employees entering utility industries accomplishes the dual purpose of supplying qualified workers to utility employers and educating new employees and persons employed by utility companies as to the benefits of becoming members of the Utility Workers Union of America; and
WHEREAS, we will improve our working lives, our job security and our ability to provide resources to the public we serve by cornering the market of skills and productivity in our utility and service industries,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the membership of the Utility Workers Union of America is committed to being the most productive, the safest and the highest skilled utility and service workforce in the world; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Utility Workers Union of America and its locals and joint councils will dedicate ourselves to obtaining from employers and other sources the funds needed to fulfill our commitment to being the best utility and service industry workforce in the world; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Utility Workers Union of America and its locals and joint councils will be the leading voice in developing, funding and running the educational and training programs needed to meet the utility and service needs of our communities and to fulfill our commitment to being the best utility and service workforce in the world.
SUBMITTED BY: NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
R-3: POLITICAL ACTION
WHEREAS, freedom of association and participation in the political process are hallmarks of democratic societies and a right and duty of every American; and
WHEREAS, the professional, civic and personal lives of Utility Workers Union of America members and their families are directly affected by legislative action on the national, state and local levels; and
WHEREAS, energy deregulation and the outsourcing of jobs threaten Utility Workers Union of America members and all Americans as never before; and
WHEREAS, the need for universal quality health coverage, the need to protect pensions and the right to join a union continue to be addressed inadequately by the Bush administration, congress, as well as in state legislatures; and
WHEREAS, the viability of universal programs, such as Social Security and Medicare, are put at risk by campaigns to create private, individual accounts that place the burden of retirement on each individual, reduce the protections they now enjoy, and benefit the most affluent; and
WHEREAS, millions of public employees are currently denied the basic right to collective bargaining; weaknesses in national private sector labor law have the effect of severely limiting the right of workers to organize, and collective bargaining rights as well as the opportunity of workers through their unions to engage in political action are under attack; and
WHEREAS, the precipitous increase in costs for effective political participation threatens to mute the voices of working Americans and their organizations,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Utility Workers Union of America will build an even more vibrant political voice for our members and all working families by creating the most vigorous political action program in our union's history; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Utility Workers Union of America will aggressively expand its political education program, continue to provide objective information on issues, identify annual legislative priorities and expand membership outreach through intensive use of conventional and new technologies; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Utility Workers Union of America will encourage and assist local affiliates to achieve the highest possible level of membership participation in political activity by championing programs that make the connection between the legislative positions we espouse and their direct effect on members at the work site and that include get-out-the-vote campaigns and voter registration drives; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Utility Workers Union of America, will assist affiliates in reaching out to members to substantially increase participation in their COPE contributions, and will provide information on best fundraising practices, encouraging such activities at local union events, and assistance in establishing voluntary COPE check-off; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Utility Workers Union of America, will work with affiliates to increase contact with legislators in every congressional and state legislative district where the union represents members. Union liaisons will be enlisted to help organize members to regularly visit, lobby and invite legislators to their work sites so that elected representatives may gain more direct knowledge of the issues that are vital to the people our members serve; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Utility Workers Union of America, will enhance its political action programs through coalitions with organizations that share and care about similar values. This will include stronger ties with national, state and central labor bodies of the AFL-CIO and cooperation with like-minded groups such as civil rights organizations, community groups, consumer groups and associations.
SUBMITTED BY: NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
R-4: UNIVERSAL NATIONAL HEALTHCARE
WHEREAS, the Utility Workers Union of America has historically been in the forefront on health care issues and continues to be so today; and
WHEREAS, the number of uninsured Americans has climbed to nearly 50 million due mainly to irresponsible nonunion employers that refuse to cover their employees; and
WHEREAS, taxpayers are forced to pick up the burden imposed by irresponsible employers when their employees turn to public health insurance programs; and
WHEREAS, healthcare prices are rising at a rate of almost three times of overall general inflation, and healthcare spending is soaring at close to double digit percent increases per year; and
WHEREAS, uninsured Americans are more likely to forego regular care, thus suffering from preventable illnesses and turning to hospitals for the most expensive emergency treatments; and
WHEREAS, health care quality remains poor, with as many as 100,000 preventable deaths per year and billions of dollars in wasteful medical procedures; and
WHEREAS, anti-worker congressional leaders are seeking to threaten the safety net of employer-sponsored health insurance by eliminating tax advantages for offering group coverage,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Utility Workers Union of America supports national healthcare legislation that ensures every American has access to affordable and quality health care wherein the employer-based health care system is preserved; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Twenty-eighth Constitutional Convention of the Utility Workers Union of America encourages all affiliated local unions to support these legislative efforts.
SUBMITTED BY: NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
R-5: LIVING WAGE
WHEREAS, the living wage movement in America is bringing attention to the simple premise that full-time workers should be able to pay for a roof over their heads and support a family at a decent level; and
WHEREAS, American workers often receive such low pay that they cannot sustain the simplest lifestyle, cannot provide health insurance or support for their loved ones while working a single job; and
WHEREAS, a living wage can be calculated for each individual community based on the fair market rents in their area and government standards for household spending; and
WHEREAS, living wage coalitions around the country have successfully lobbied local government entities resulting in dramatic improvements in pay for their lowest-paid employees; and
WHEREAS, many living wage ordinances tie government contracts and subsidies such as tax abatement to living wage laws,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Utility Workers Union of America embrace the concept of a living wage as a minimum standard for all workers; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Utility Workers Union of America actively promote living wage campaigns as an effective avenue for advocacy for our lowest-paid members and all workers.
SUBMITTED BY: NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
R-6: HUMAN RIGHTS
WHEREAS, the Preamble to the Utility Workers Union of America Constitution provides that, "We are an organization of men and women of every race, religion, age and ethnicity who are committed to a society where all workers and their families live and work with dignity;" and
WHEREAS, the Utility Workers Union of America has always been at the forefront of the fight to pass legislation which advances our human rights and civil rights, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans With Disabilities Act, the Civil Rights Act of 1991 and the Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution; and
WHEREAS, the trade union movement and the Utility Workers Union of America are stronger when we are united and inclusive; and
WHEREAS, the true interests and welfare of every member of the Utility Workers Union of America are advanced when we advance the interests and welfare of members who have suffered from exclusion, bigotry and discrimination; and
WHEREAS, we will not allow women or people of color or gay or lesbian workers or brothers and sisters with disabilities to be denied the fruits of their labor in the workplace; and
WHEREAS, we are weakened when we do not listen to and speak for every member and where building a stronger Utility Workers Union of America requires all of us to work together; and
WHEREAS, the Utility Workers Union of America believes that its members and its leaders should reflect the diversity of the communities in which our members live and work; and
WHEREAS, there is still much work that needs to be done and barriers that need to be eliminated to achieve full participation by all brothers and sisters in our Union; and
WHEREAS, there is still much work that needs to be done and barriers that need to be eliminated to achieve full opportunity to all brothers and sisters in our industries,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Utility Workers Union of America resolves as follows:
1. To increase training and leadership development in order to build the capacity to have a diverse group of leaders in our Union; and
2. To accelerate our efforts to attract and recruit a diverse pool of workers into our industries and our Union; and
3. To make the Utility Workers Union of America a model of hiring and promotion practices for women and people of color and all our brothers and sisters; and
4. To make all Utility Workers Union of America employers a model of hiring and promotion practices for women and people of color and all our brothers and sisters; and
5. To develop and support hiring practices in our industries that will promote a diverse workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities where we work and live.
SUBMITTED BY: NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
R-7: CESAR E. CHAVEZ NATIONAL HOLIDAY
WHEREAS, the success in making Cesar E. Chavez's birthday, March 31, an official paid state holiday in California and a day of service and learning in their public schools, has launched a national movement calling on Congress to do the same with an official federal holiday for Cesar E. Chavez; and
WHEREAS, the California victory started a wave of more Cesar E. Chavez state holidays now won in Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, New Mexico, Texas and Utah; and
WHEREAS, a Cesar E. Chavez national holiday would be the first time that a labor leader ever received this honor; and
WHEREAS, this holiday would encourage all people to model Cesar E. Chavez's legacy by engaging in action for workers rights, civil rights, environmental justice, non violence, empowerment of the poor and disenfranchised; and
WHEREAS, Cesar E. Chavez National Holiday! is a national organization based in Los Angeles that is spearheading the effort to win a national holiday and state and local holidays, and is coalescing organizations, communities and individuals throughout the country; and
WHEREAS, organized labor is a natural ally of this effort to tribute Cesar E. Chavez, one of labor's own leaders, the founder and former President of the United Farm Workers of America, AFL-CIO,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Utility Workers Union of America calls on President George W. Bush and the US Congress to establish an annual legal public federal holiday and a day of service, learning and action in recognition of Cesar E. Chavez, an internationally recognized Mexican American labor leader, on his birthday, March 31; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Utility Workers Union of America will officially join the Cesar E. Chavez National Holiday! coalition and in so doing become an active partner alongside of Latino, labor, civil rights, interfaith, and other organizations, leaders, elected officials, and celebrities who are working together to insure that the legacy of Cesar E. Chavez is recognized, celebrated and emulated throughout our nation.
SUBMITTED BY: NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
R-8: GROWTH AND STRATEGIC ORGANIZING
WHEREAS, the power of the Utility Workers Union of America depends on the strength of our members; and
WHEREAS, the Utility Workers Union of America is able to bargain for the strongest contracts in our industries where the union represents the highest percentage of workers in that industry; and
WHEREAS, strong density in any given industry raises the standards for all workers, even those not represented by union contract; and
WHEREAS, increasing union density is the most effective way to create power and enhance working conditions for all working people; and
WHEREAS, organizing is most effective when it builds on existing worker power and utility workers' expertise in our industry,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that targets for new organizing should:
1. Take advantage of existing Utility Workers Union of America's strength in our industry to leverage employers; and
2. Add to utility workers bargaining power in our industry and contribute to improving contracts for existing members either regionally or nationally; and
3. Being in a utility industry allows the union to take advantage of its experience and expertise in our industry; and
4. Fit into an overall strategic plan for a particular region, or the overall organizing goals of the Utility Workers Union of America; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Twenty-eighth Constitutional Convention of the Utility Workers Union of America encourage all local union and joint councils to adopt these standards in seeking new organizing targets, and coordinate with the national union in order to develop the most strategic organizing program possible.
SUBMITTED BY: NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
R-9: THE RIGHT TO ORGANIZE
WHEREAS, the freedom to form a union is a fundamental human right, recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the National Labor Relations Act; and
WHEREAS, we live under the most anti-worker, anti-union U.S. administration since the 1920s; and
WHEREAS, management responds to nearly all organizing campaigns with vicious, anti-worker counter-campaigns, including forcing employees to attend closed door meetings in 92 percent of campaigns, requiring supervisors to attend anti-union training sessions in 80 percent of instances, and illegally firing workers for wanting to join a union in 25 percent of campaigns; and
WHEREAS, the NLRA--which was meant to provide an even playing field-- is broken and doesn't protect workers' rights, often leading to years of administrative delays; and
WHEREAS, there is currently a political agenda to prevent workers from organizing through card check recognition, thereby denying workers the right to freely choose union representation; and
WHEREAS, the only rights that utility workers and other working people have are the ones that we fight for,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Utility Workers Union of America and all of its locals and affiliates rededicate ourselves to the fight for the right to organize; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that local unions and negotiating committees should adopt new strategies in the face of hostility from management and pressure companies to sign neutrality and alternative recognition process agreements; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that utility workers make every effort to include organizing rights language (card check, neutrality, and other forms of alternative recognition) in all contracts; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that utility workers insure that workers are afforded the free choice to choose union representation through card check recognition; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Utility Workers Union of America and all of its locals and joint councils should demand that politicians seeking our support sign on to the Employee Free Choice Act now before Congress.
SUBMITTED BY: NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
R-10: FIGHTING SMART: STRONG CONTRACTS TO SET INDUSTRY STANDARDS
WHEREAS, the rapid consolidation and globalization of industries makes it more challenging for workers to exercise power; and
WHEREAS, management has become increasingly sophisticated in its attempts to keep wages low and benefits meager; and
WHEREAS, the ability to solve problems by workplace action has been limited by anti-worker politicians; and
WHEREAS, the ultimate weapon of organized labor - the strike - is increasingly hard to exercise, as employers are more eager to hire replacement workers; and
WHEREAS, the challenge for the Utility Workers Union of America and all of organized labor is to raise living standards through contracts that set industry standards; and
WHEREAS, high union density and strong contracts are the most effective way to control the work environment; and
WHEREAS, winning strong contract standards often requires non-traditional, comprehensive tactics, such as strategic targeting, public relations, well-planned community outreach, corporate campaigns and intimate knowledge of employers and industries; and
WHEREAS, the Utility Workers Union of America has specialized knowledge of utility industries and coordinates activities among local unions in similar industries; and
WHEREAS, contract fights are some of the most effective opportunities to engage members,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that negotiating committees take the fight for strong contracts outside of the workplace and use the media and community to strategically engage employers during contract and organizing fights; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that local unions coordinate bargaining through cooperative means and joint councils to set industry standard contracts, as well as to seek support from the community and local organizations; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that local unions and joint councils coordinate their organizing and bargaining so as to increase union density that leads to strong industry and area standards.
SUBMITTED BY: NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
R-11: BARGAINING TO ORGANIZE
WHEREAS, the Utility Workers Union of America's skill at the bargaining table is widely and justifiably renowned; and
WHEREAS, that skill has been successfully employed to bargain for organizing rights for men and women everywhere; and
WHEREAS, using bargaining power to win organizing rights can achieve still more strength for future contracts; and
WHEREAS, bargaining for employer neutrality and alternative recognition such as card checks can be the most effective way to overcome employer hostility to new organizing; and
WHEREAS, the ability to bargain for organizing rights is dependent on researching and exploiting all of the union's relationships with the employer as well as common contract expiration dates across locals,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that this Twenty-eighth Constitutional Convention of the Utility Workers Union of America strongly encourage all local unions and negotiating committees to demand organizing rights at the bargaining table wherever appropriate; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that local unions and negotiating teams should leverage their power with Utility Workers Union of America employers, and should coordinate to ensure that they have common expiration dates with common employers; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Utility Workers Union of America encourage all local unions and joint councils to educate members about the benefits of bargaining to organize and seeking neutrality agreements and card check recognition.
SUBMITTED BY: NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
R-12: REGULATION
WHEREAS, to an extent unlike any other industry in America, the utility business - electricity, natural gas and water - is heavily regulated by government. The state and federal utility regulatory systems in the United States are, in large part, the product of broad popular movements for people's control over the privately-owned utility monopolies. They are part of the democratic legacy of the Progressive Era and of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal, and they have served us well - though not perfectly - for over a century; and
WHEREAS, regulation provides essential protections for the public. Residential and business consumers and other stakeholders are able to participate in public proceedings that determine utility rates and service quality standards. These proceedings also determine the conditions under which utility employees work, even the continued existence of the jobs themselves; and
WHEREAS, regulatory proceedings, especially before state utility commissions, provide opportunities for our union to have a say in matters that affect our jobs, our families and our communities. The Utility Workers Union of America and many of its local unions have long experience in participating in such proceedings. We have taken the lead in defending high standards of customer service, public safety and reliability. We have been the most consistent and principled opponents of efforts to dismantle our nation's system of democratic regulation in the public interest. However, our involvement in regulatory matters has sometimes been inconsistent, crisis-driven and inappropriately narrow in scope, lacking consistent principles to guide our regulatory policy,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that participation in regulatory proceedings affecting our members, our families and our communities is a key function for every level of our union. That the Utility Workers Union of America's regulatory interventions should be guided by a consistent set of principles, including:
1. Access to safe, reliable and affordable utility service is the right of every American; and
2. To help ensure this service, utility revenue requirements approved by regulatory bodies should provide for adequate staffing and fair levels of employee compensation; and
3. The right of all stakeholders, including utility workers and their representatives, to participate fully in all regulatory proceedings must be protected; and
4. Preservation of state regulatory jurisdiction is essential to providing accessible venues for protecting consumer and worker interests; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Utility Workers Union of America's National Officers and National Executive Board shall implement these principles by:
1. Conducting training around regulatory issues and tactics, especially at regional conferences, and locally at the request of local union leadership; and
2. In accordance with these guidelines, assisting local unions in evaluating, preparing and conducting regulatory and legislative interventions; and
3. Establishing guidelines for National Union involvement in regulatory proceedings and related court cases; and
4. Developing regulatory strategies for promoting union goals, such as job preservation, organizing and blocking the contracting out of UWUA work; and
5. Developing a database for UWUA states of laws and regulations governing future regulatory interventions by the national and local unions, including requirements for standing, legal representation, etc;
6. Working with community, labor, consumer, environmental and industry groups whenever possible to advance common goals; and
7. Appearing before state and national legislative and regulatory bodies to promote UWUA principles and interests.
SUBMITTED BY: NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
R-13: QUALITY OF SERVICE STANDARDS FOR UTILITY COMPANIES
WHEREAS, electricity, water and gas are a right that should be available to every citizen by utility companies which have an obligation to provide reliable, safe, accessible service to all. During the past decade, utility companies have been slashing their workforces as they merge, consolidate and restructure in order to maximize their profits. By doing so, they jeopardize the quality of service provided to consumers; and
WHEREAS, utility mega-mergers, announced nearly every week, are underwritten through bloated stock premiums amounting to billions of dollars. These excessive costs push utility companies to reduce preventive maintenance, slash inventory, drastically reduce work forces and offer less service to consumers, often at higher prices; and
WHEREAS, it is essential that legislators and regulators increase, rather than relinquish, their oversight and responsibility to protect the general public and workers in these industries by formulating and enforcing mandated standards of service and reliability for utility companies; and
WHEREAS, outages in all parts of the country, from the East Coast to the Mid-West to California provide example after example of the harmful effects of the failure of the utility companies to voluntarily deliver timely and reliable service. In incidents throughout our nation, utilities have left customers without power for unacceptable lengths of time, had longer response times, out of stock equipment, insufficient work crews, deferral of routine maintenance and other such situations that have caused a major decline in the electric and gas delivery systems; and
WHEREAS, these service quality issues, resulting from an aging utility infrastructure that is untended, have even caused tragic and brutal results, causing death, injury and property destruction; and
WHEREAS, natural gas explosions have become too frequent, resulting also in death and property damage caused, in part, by the employ of non-union subcontractors to save money; and
WHEREAS, the right of all citizens to clean drinking water is unalienable, and becomes harder to guarantee as the 54,000 drinking water systems in our nation face tremendous resource requirements to modernize aging structures; and
WHEREAS, the current economic and political climate allows utilities to continue to cut corners, even when lives are at stake, and encourages performance based rates which are the ultimate disincentive for safe and reliable electricity, water and gas; and
WHEREAS, policy makers, legislators and regulators need to focus on and pay close attention to the establishment of meaningful quality of service standards, which will require utility companies to insure the safety of the general public and employees, to provide safe, reliable, affordable and accessible energy and water; and insure that the infrastructures are maintained and upgraded, and that services and goods are top quality and available to insure the continued reliability of the infrastructures,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Utility Workers Union of America call upon federal and state legislators and regulators to adopt and enforce measures for quality of service by utilities, including meaningful standards and significant penalties for non-compliance; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Utility Workers Union of America is committed to the safe and reliable delivery of electricity, water and gas to all individuals and businesses in our nation.
SUBMITTED BY: NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
R-14: PENSION PROTECTION
WHEREAS, nearly 80% of union members are covered by pension plans, organized labor has fought to ensure that workers receive a dignified and secure retirement. For the vast majority of union members, employer-provided pensions are the main source of retirement income. But private pension funds and their beneficiaries face a serious crisis. Pensions have been weakened by stock market losses, industry downturns, changing demographics, accounting requirements and by a new era of corporate scandals, leading to a loss of retirement benefits and to a sense of financial uncertainty for many workers; and
WHEREAS, increasingly, companies are seeking bankruptcy protection to terminate or freeze employee pension plans. Unfortunately, in the current political climate, cutting pensions is seen as an acceptable means of cost savings. That leads to all businesses feeling pressured to do the same in order to remain competitive. While defaulting may offer short-term relief, it is devastating to the workers who lose retirement income and to taxpayers who must fund their remaining benefits; and
WHEREAS, the Federal agency that guarantees private pensions, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), is already $23.3 billion in debt. With outdated laws, under-funding and the prospect of additional pension fund defaults, the PBGC is increasingly unlikely to safeguard pensions into the future. A number of ideas to grant relief to private pension funds and to shore up the PBCG are being debated. However, many of the proposals do not adequately protect worker pensions, do not suit the needs of individual pension plans and employers, or do not protect taxpayers against a massive bailout,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, because pensions should be considered a right owed to employees, the Utility Workers Union of America urges that employee pension benefits be given first priority in cases of bankruptcy and pension plan relief and reform. Pension fund relief plans should be tailored to the financial condition of the individual pension plan, not the sponsoring company, and plan changes must require the consent of the members' union representation; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Utility Workers Union of America strongly supports legislation that protects pensions for workers by providing immediate and meaningful relief and opposes any one-size-fits-all solutions that impose pre-conditions, such as benefit freezes, in order for a pension fund to qualify for relief. Before funds are in seriously weak condition, pension trustees should be given the additional tools they need to act preventatively to protect their funds' assets.
SUBMITTED BY: NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
R-15: RETIREMENT SECURITY
WHEREAS, programs that support retired Americans today face unprecedented challenges. The primary public program, Social Security, faces serious funding issues within the next three decades and is right now threatened by efforts in Congress that will significantly reduce the benefit it will pay to future retirees; and
WHEREAS, recent defaults of pension programs have highlighted problems within the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. (PBGC). Future defaults and under funding of the PBGC could eliminate this important safeguard for the pension funds of millions of working Americans; and
WHEREAS, harming both today's and tomorrow's retirees, the current situation could cost taxpayers exorbitant amounts of money in federal government bailouts, throw tens of thousands of businesses into bankruptcy, harm state and local economies across the nation and dramatically increase the rolls of public assistance programs as otherwise financially independent seniors lose their retirement income,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Utility Workers Union of America support strengthening Social Security to protect it from future insolvency; eliminating the practice of using the Social Security Trust fund to extend the federal deficit; and protecting Social Security from any changes - such as the implementation of private accounts - that increase retirees' exposure to the risk of market volatility; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Utility Workers Union of America support legislation to protect the pensions of all working Americans; to provide immediate and meaningful relief for the nation's pension funds, including single employer and multi-employer pension plans.
SUBMITTED BY: NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
R-16: GOOD JOBS AND ENERGY INDEPENDENCE
WHEREAS, rising energy costs are creating economic hardships for all working people and energy costs and instability are a significant contributing factor to job loss in many sectors of the U.S. economy; and
WHEREAS, energy independence puts America in the driver's seat to pursue affordable and efficient energy solutions that will benefit all Americans, improve America's security, reduce the burden on American families, and help clean our environment. We must act now so that in the future America will never have to fight for its economic security because we are permanently held hostage to foreign oil; and
WHEREAS, rising natural gas, electricity and oil prices are making energy conservation, energy efficiency, and renewable power production much more compelling and economically viable across the country. Creating a more diverse energy portfolio will help bring about greater energy security, less reliance on foreign energy and increased economic development; and
WHEREAS, renewable power production is labor intensive - wind power creates 2.77 jobs for every MW produced, Solar PV creates 7.24 jobs per MW, and geothermal creates 5.67 jobs per MW. Renewable energy markets are predicted to grow to $92 billion within the next decade; and increasing the diversity of our energy supply will create new employment for skilled union workers. Distributed renewable generation will require new investments in the electrical grid and new jobs for our Union. Deploying best available technology in existing power plants means more man-hours of work and less pollution; and
WHEREAS, the trade-off between a clean environment and jobs is a false choice. Global warming threatens the future itself, necessitating public investment in basic science, research and development, and deployment of shared public infrastructure. Global climate change must be addressed in a manner that assures affordable energy supplies, and that encourages economic growth while sustaining and creating good jobs; and
WHEREAS, the development of new coal technology like Integrated Gassification and Carbon Capture promises to provide new clean energy while continuing to make use of domestic natural resources,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Utility Workers Union of America supports the creation of a cleaner, greener and stronger America by reducing our dependence on foreign oil and investing in energy independent technology. Encouraging innovation, investing in our members and infrastructure, and providing America consumers with broader choices will provide the tools to help move America towards real energy security for the 21st century; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Utility Workers Union of America calls on Congress to enact Legislation to:
1. Deploy the best available technology--like scrubbers--to existing plants, protecting jobs and the environment; research new technology to capture and sequester carbon and improve transmission to serve distributed renewable generation; and
2. Expand Renewable Energy Development: Diversify energy sources by promoting existing technologies in solar, biomass and wind while setting ambitious but achievable goals for increasing renewable generation, and promoting state and local policy innovations that link clean energy and jobs; and
3. Strengthen Regulatory Protections: Encourage balanced growth and investment through regulation that ensures energy diversity and system reliability, that protects workers and the environment, that rewards consumers, and that establishes a fair framework for emerging technologies; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Utility Workers Union of America strongly supports legislation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through a trading system designed to achieve reductions at the lowest practicable cost to the U.S., as sponsored by U.S. Senators Bingaman and Specter. The approach is consistent with that of the successful Acid Rain Program in setting a "forward price" on emissions to provide both the flexibility and incentive needed to accelerate technology, development and deployment. The proposal also caps the costs imposed on the U.S. economy and on consumers. Significantly, the proposal promotes the retention of domestic jobs by tying allowance allocations to levels of domestic employment, thus promoting both ecological sustainability and good jobs.
SUBMITTED BY: NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
R-17: SUPPORTING THE CONTINUED OPERATION OF NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
WHEREAS, nuclear power has been used to generate electricity for the businesses and citizens of the United States for nearly 50 years; and
WHEREAS, nuclear power plants supply about twenty percent of the nation's electricity each year by the operation of 103 nuclear generation plants, and the continued operation of nuclear power plants is critical to insure a continued, stable, affordable and reliable energy supply, vital to the nation's economy, particularly in view of the need to have diverse sources of electrical production and the uncertainty caused by ongoing global issues; and
WHEREAS, it is projected that in certain areas of the country the demand for electricity will continue to exceed the supply, even with the construction of new power plants, and that a steady, reliable source of energy is vital to the United States of America; and
WHEREAS, nuclear power, in particular, is a critical part of the power grid, producing more than 780 billion kilowatt hours of electricity in 2002, powering millions of businesses and residences, and accounting for 20 percent of our daily energy needs; and
WHEREAS, of all energy sources, nuclear energy has perhaps the lowest impact on the environment, including water, land, habitat, species and air resources. Nuclear energy is the most eco-efficient of all energy sources because it produces the most electricity in relation to its minimal environmental impact and helps to reduce the amount of harmful pollutants and greenhouse gases discharged into the air; and
WHEREAS, for years, America's commercial nuclear energy industry has ranked among the safest places to work in the United States; and
WHEREAS, the nuclear energy industry is a key part of the foundation of the United States economy, and creates valuable jobs for thousands of utility, construction and manufacturing workers, most of whom are union represented by the UWUA and other AFL-CIO affiliates; and are highly skilled and experienced workers who are committed to and have continuously delivered reliable energy in the safest possible manner for decades; and
WHEREAS, nuclear energy affords less reliance by the US on foreign energy providers and could help prevent future entanglements in foreign conflicts over energy; and
WHEREAS, nuclear generation plants provide substantial revenue to the states and locally to the cities and towns of where they are located, as well as employment to thousands of workers directly and many more peripheral employees, as well as support of many locally owned businesses; and
WHEREAS, nuclear power plants are at no greater risk as a terrorist target than the air we breathe, reservoirs, bridges, landmarks, government buildings, subways, airports, skyscrapers and public areas, despite any scare tactics or rhetoric to the contrary; and
WHEREAS, at the twenty-seventh Constitutional Convention of the Utility Workers Union of America this Union put forth this same resolution,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that nuclear power is a valuable, important supplier of electricity, vital to the economy of the United States, which should be supported by the public policy makers, and citizens, and should remain fully operational and allowed to expand and grow; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Utility Workers Union of America will work together with all groups and individuals to insure that nuclear power remains safe, secure and assures affordable, available, reliable energy to the citizens of the United States; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution will be transmitted to the President of the United States, and to other federal, state, county and local elected officials, and all interested parties, so that they may know the will and intent of this honorable Union; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Utility Workers Union of America renews its commitment for the continued operation of the nation's Nuclear Power Plants.
SUBMITTED BY: NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
R-18: OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH
WHEREAS, on average, 15 workers lose their lives and more than 12,000 workers are injured or made ill on the job every day; and
WHEREAS, the labor movement has a responsibility to address safety and health concerns of workers; and
WHEREAS, according to a 2001 Peter Hart and Associates poll, the labor movement is still seen as the voice of workers on safety and health issues; and
WHEREAS, the labor movement is a social movement whose work in occupational safety and health extends beyond members of labor unions to affect all workers in the United States; and
WHEREAS, the labor movement has played a primary role in the passage of national and state safety and health workers' compensation laws; and
WHEREAS, the labor movement led and coordinated efforts to win passage of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) of 1970, as well as other key safety and health laws and protections; and
WHEREAS, the labor movement played a pivotal role in the issuance of an OSHA ergonomics standard after 10 years, despite overwhelming congressional and business opposition; and
WHEREAS, the labor movement secured and maintained, over the past five years, roughly $4 million annually in training grants for 30 international and regional unions; and
WHEREAS, in the past five years, there has been an assault on safety and health protections for American workers, through efforts to gut the OSH Act and increase funding for voluntary programs rather than enforcement; and
WHEREAS, workplaces with union representation and collectively bargained safety and health committees are more than twice as safe as those workplaces with no union or committee; and
WHEREAS, workers have a right to a safe and healthy workplace and don't go to work to die,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Utility Workers Union of America must continue to protect workers' lives and health through a strong commitment to occupational safety and health.
SUBMITTED BY: NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
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