1999

WHEREAS, the integrity of Pride at Work must be maintained by a procedure of accountability in regards to use of the P@W mailing list; and

WHEREAS, any mailings from the P@W membership list made on behalf of another organization could conceivably cause divisiveness and lack of unity among the membership;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that no mailings from the P@W membership list will be made on behalf of another organization without a vote of the Steering Committee. Or by a vote of the Executive Board in event of an emergency, to be reviewed at the next meeting of the Steering Committee.

WHEREAS, Joan Brewington was our sister in the struggle; and

WHEREAS, Joan’s life was dedicated to civil and human rights; and

WHEREAS, Joan served as C0-Chair of the SEIU Easter Conference Lavender Caucus, and Board member of the National SEIU Lavender Caucus for 6 years; and

WHEREAS, Joan was a leader in the Philadelphia L/G/B/T community, her local and international union;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Co-Chairs of P@W write a letter of condolence and commendation to the family of Joan Brewington; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that P@W will establish the:

Joan Brewington Leadership Award
Recognizing an Activist Doing Outstanding P@W Work at the Local/Chapter Level; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the officers of P@W will determine which P@W activity will receive the award; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the award be given out at each biennial P@W convention.

Whereas, recent events have inspired a lively debate on the direction and goals of the national Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) movements, and

Whereas, the founding of the Black Radical Congress (BRC) has given a strong voice to the progressive agenda for radical social and economic change that has been silenced during recent times, and

Whereas, the interests of rank and file LGBT union members and unorganized workers are served by a vision and strategy that resists the myths of the “gay market,” confronts racial and economic inequality and works for social and economic justice for all, and

Whereas, the Ad Hoc Committee to Open the Process is calling on Pride At Work, the National Black Lesbian and Gay Leadership Forum, LGBT student organizations, other progressive LGBT organizations and grassroots LGBT activists to begin planning for the creation of a LGBT Progressive Congress.

Therefore, Be It Resolved that Pride At Work endorse the call of the Ad Hoc Committee and directs the PAW Steering Committee to determine the course of participation of PAW in future efforts to reach the goal of a LGBT Progressive Congress.

Submitted by: SEIU Eastern Region Lavender Caucus

 SEIU Western Region Lavender Caucus

 GALLAN/PAW Chapter of Boston

 Nancy Wohlforth, SF, CA

 Howard Wallace, SF, CA

 Pearl Smith, Washington DC

Whereas, AFL-CIO constituency groups represent the full diversity of the growing American workforce, and

Whereas, constituency groups bring a perspective and a voice not always heard in the labor movement, and

Whereas, the elected officers who site on the State Federation Executive Boards and Central Labor Council Executive Boards represent a range of unions, industries and regions and often form the core of the labor movement, and

Whereas, these Executive Boards and Councils are targeted to carry out all AFL-CIO initiatives such as Street Heat and Union Cities,

Therefore Be It Resolved that PAW/AFL-CIO request that the AFL-CIO work to gain official representation on State Federation and Central Labor Council Executive Boards for all its’ constituency groups.

And Be It Further Resolved that PAW/AFL-CIO contact the other AFL-CIO constituency groups and encourage them to join together in gaining official representation for constituency groups.

Submitted by:  GALLAN/PAW Chapter of Boston

*AFL-CIO Official Constituency Groups:

Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU)

A. Phillip Randolph Institute (APRI)

Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW)

Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA)

Labor Committee for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA)

Pride At Work (PAW)

Whereas the Employment Non-Discrimination Act would prohibit, at the federal level, discrimination on the basis of Sexual Orientation

Whereas only ten states have thus far banned discrimination against lesbians, gays and bisexuals, leaving it perfectly legal in most states for employers to practice anti-gay discrimination

Whereas not one single state has thus far banned discrimination against transgender people, leaving it perfectly legal in every state for employers to practice anti-transgender discrimination

Whereas millions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual and transgender workers, including many PAW members, face numerous forms of job discrimination, including not being hired, firings, denial of promotion, sexual and verbal harassment, physical and sexual assault, and denial of equal benefits

Whereas lesbian, gay, bisexual, and particularly transsexual and transgender people are abused both physically and mentally, murdered, and denied basic human rights to housing, jobs, and social services

Whereas persons who choose gender identification in which they are most comfortable should be afforded the protection against discrimination along with persons of different sexual orientation

Be It Therefore Resolved that PAW advocates the view that persons identified as transgender and transsexual be included in ENDA, and that all efforts by the labor community and the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender/transsexual community be brought to bear to demand an end to discrimination based on gender identity or gender expression

Be It Further Resolved that PAW demands the immediate passage of ENDA, with the above mentioned additions, and, through participating in Congressional hearings and other political action will continue to make its passage a major priority

Submitted by: Conference Planning Committee PAW/AFL-CIO 1999

Whereas, the island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands – a U.S. commonwealth in the western Pacific Ocean – has attracted a host of foreign investors who produce 1$ billion annually in clothes for some of the biggest fashion labels at the cost of exploiting workers;

Whereas, U.S. clothing companies such as The Gab, Tommy Hilfiger, The Limited, J.C. Penny, Wal-Mart and Sears are profiting off a system of indentured labor – young Asian women who must first sign contracts that deny them their basic human rights, pay exorbitant recruitment fees, work up to 12 hours a day, seven days a week, often without overtime pay; and live in overcrowded housing in unsanitary conditions;

Whereas, these companies save $200 million a year in import tariffs and benefit from no U.S. quota restrictions and lax immigration laws, while paying a minimum wage of $3.05 per hour;

Whereas, U.S. apparel corporations are deceiving American consumers and undermining apparel-production jobs elsewhere in the United States by using a “Made in USA” label on clothes produced in Saipan;

Whereas, these companies have a responsibility to be honest with consumers and ensure that their workers are treated fairly according to U.S. laws; and now

Therefore, be it resolved that Pride At Work denounces the widespread sweatshop abuses in Saipan and;

Therefore, be it further resolved that Pride At Work joins with UNITE and human rights groups in the national “Stop Saipan Sweatshops” campaign to pressure U.S. corporations to clean up the labor abuses on the island;

Therefore, be it further resolved that Pride At Work participates in monthly protests in front of Gap stores, starting on Saturday march 6, and send a latter to The Gap and other major retailers doing business in Saipan urging them to end the labor abuses;

Therefore, be it finally resolved that Pride At Work supports legislation in Congress to extend federal minimum-wage, immigration and customs laws to the Northern Marianas and to tighten domestic-content requirements for the “Made in USA” label.

Submitted by: Howard Wallace, SF Bay Area, PAW

WHEREAS, the Pride at Work organization has been officially recognized as a Constituency Group of the AFL-CIO; and

WHEREAS, the organization is evolving to meet the new challenge that accompany that status; and

WHEREAS, the continued growth of the organization is a critical objective of this evolution; and

WHEREAS, growth in membership will require the development of new marketing strategies and materials; and

WHEREAS, the logo that was developed for the 3rd Biennial Convention offers a fresh, contemporary look for the newly recognized Constituency Group; and

WHEREAS this logo captures an inclusive, gender neutral them; and

WHEREAS this logo incorporates a message as to the importance of organizing for Pride at Work’s growth as well as the growth of the larger labor community; and

WHEREAS, the current logo incorporates graphic elements that reprint the Pink Triangle, a traditional simpering of Gay Liberation; and

WHEREAS the current logo includes words that define who, moth the greater labor community, the organization is primarily committed to serving; and

WHEREAS, a new logo that embodies all the best qualities of both the Organization and Convention logos would strengthen our organization in achieving greater visibility and recognition, and would contribute to our growth;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the National Executive Board be empowered to sponsor a contest, with the aim of selecting a new official logo; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the NEB will determine the length of time of the contest and the prize to be awarded to the designer of the selected logo.

WHEREAS, the accumulation of non-biodegradable and recyclable materials poses a threat to our health as well as the welfare of our planet and the environment; and

WHEREAS, when organizations convene, a large quantity of trash is create from meals and refreshments; and

WHEREAS, many labor and community organizations have committed themselves to a practice of sound environmentalism;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Pride at Work shall adopt as its policy the practice of conducting its business and conventions with environmental awareness such as to reduce the amount of refuse created; reuse materials where feasible and use recyclable materials when available.

Whereas Wells Fargo the lead bank of a nine bank consortium, provided a $125 million credit line to CF&I/Oregon Steel before a major labor despute between CF&I/Oregon Steel and its 1000 employees forced workers out on strike on October 3, 1998; and

Whereas three months later the union made a final offer to return to work which the company rejected, reinstating only 30 of the 1000 striking employees; and

Whereas instead of staying neutral during the labor dispute, Wells Fargo helped the company by providing another $15 million to offset the costs of the strike; and

Whereas, Wells Fargo is on the official boycott list of the AFL-CIO, a 13.2 million member organization;

Be It Therefore Resolved that Pride At Work/AFL-CIO officially endorses the boycott of Wells Fargo Bank and encourages its members to close out all accounts with the bank.

Submitted by: Howard Wallace, SF Bay Area Pride At Work

Whereas the federal decennial census is a means of ensuring fair and equal representation in government for all Americans; and

Whereas census data is used to conduct congressional, state and local redistricting; allocate $180 billion in annual federal funds for health, education, transportation and many other programs; monitor and enforce civil rights statutes, including anti-discrimination, employment, housing and education laws; and

Whereas the 1990 census undercounted over 8.4 million people and double counted 4.4 million persons; and

Whereas an inaccurate census denies miscounted persons fair and equal representation in government; and

Whereas the Commerce Department’s Inspector General, U.S. General Accounting Office, and experts convened by the National Academy of Science all agree that the Census Bureau’s inability to use sampling in Census 2000 will result in the census missing many and possibly more persons that the 1990 census; and

Whereas civil rights organizations strongly support the use of sampling in Census 2000; and

Whereas the Supreme Court ruled against the use of sampling for congressional apportionment but declared that it can be used for purposes such as redistricting within states and the allocation of federal funds, as long as the Secretary of Commerce determines that the use of sampling is “feasible”; and

Whereas in practical terms, the Supreme Court’s ruling, actually requires two sets of census numbers. One set from a direct count supplemented with a post-enumeration survey where sampling can be used to enhance the accuracy of the census. The more accurate adjusted numbers would be used for all purposes other than congressional apportionment and a second set of less accurate, unadjusted numbers of use in determining congressional apportionment; and

Whereas Pride At Work/AFL-CIO believes that the more accurate census numbers will be used for everything including congressional apportionment, since these would be available; and

Therefore, Be It Resolved that this Pride At Work 3rd Biennial Convention and Labor Conference meeting in Washington D.C. from February 12-15, 1999 pledge its support for the use of sampling in Census 2000 to ensure a full, and fair census and the use of the most accurate count for all purposes, including apportionment; and

And Be It Further Resolved that Pride At Work petition members of Congress to support “A Just Apportionment for All States Act” to amend Title 13 U.S.C to guarantee a full, and fair census, including sampling and also urge all members and supporters to write to their congressional representative to ask them to support the bill;

And Be It Further Resolved that Pride At Work take steps to ensure labor representation on Local Census Count Boards; recruit members for Census Bureau positions at all levels; and work in partnership with labor, civil rights advocacy groups and community-based organizations on campaign to ensure a full, and fair census, including sampling.

WHEREAS, Pride at Work (P@W) has existed as a national organization since 1994; and

WHEREAS, P@W has taken critical positions on major issues of concern to the l/g/b/t community; and

WHEREAS, P@W has developed strategic action campaigns around these issues; and

WHEREAS, P@W has been in the forefront of winning anti-discrimination and domestic partner benefits for l/g/b/t workers; and

WHEREAS, P@W is the official constituency group of the AFL-CIO representing the struggle for equal rights and benefits for all l/g/b/t workers within the trade union movement; and

WHEREAS, this third biennial convention of P@W will be mapping out specific goals an campaigns for the organization for the next two-year period; and

WHEREAS, one of our goals is to publicize our policies and our positions to the broadest possible audience, both within and the trade union movement and within the l/g/b/t community;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the newly-elected Steering Committee of P@W codify and publicize our policies, resolutions, and campaign plans in a policy statement booklet for general distribution and that said policy statement booklet be ready for distribution by July 1, 1999.

Whereas, union sponsored health and welfare programs provide a large percentage of union members with their benefits (e.g. health insurance, pension benefits), and

Whereas, these benefits were fought for and won by all members of the bargaining unit or union, and

Whereas, these benefits are designed to provide support for all members when they or their family are in need of healthcare and other assistance; and

Whereas, most of these funds are administered jointly by labor/management boards but are controlled by union leadership, and

Whereas, these funds cover the spouse and children of union members;

Therefore Be It Resolved that PAW encourage our Brothers and Sisters who run these funds to extend the benefit programs to cover the domestic partners of their members.

Submitted by: GALLAN/PAW chapter of Boston

WHEREAS, the percentage of unionized workers have been on the decline since the 1950s; and

WHEREAS, the power of working people is connected to the strength of organized labor; and

WHEREAS, g/l/b/t workers have traditionally been clustered in industries with low union density; and

WHEREAS, P@W’s goal is to bring more g/l/b/t working people into the labor movement; and

WHEREAS, only 10 states in the country have passed laws making it illegal for employers to discriminate against gay people at work making unions even more critical to the economic security of g/l/b/t people;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the membership of P@W will make organizing the unorganized a key component of its work; and

BE IT RESOLVED that P@W will focus its efforts on providing financial and technical assistance to support the development of new P@W chapters in geographic areas without such organization; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that P@W will set specific goals toward the achievement of the purposes stated above.

Whereas Mumia Abu-Jamal has been on Pennsylvania’s death row since 1982

Whereas a new death warrant could be signed any time

Whereas it has become clear that he did not receive a fair trial, that his conviction was the result of a trial involving coercion and bribing of witnesses – witnesses who have admitted to lying on the stand

Whereas Mumia has received worldwide support, in the form of mass demonstrations, declarations of support from numerous organizations and well-known individuals, the European Parliament calling for a new trial, and, most recently, the Alameda County Central Labor Council passing a resolution in support

Whereas Mumia, during the lockout of NABET members by NBC/Disney, Mumia refused to be interviewed by 20/20, stating that “I would rather go to death than cross that picket line

Whereas Mumia has spoken out against the “Prison-Industrial Complex,” characterizing it as an attack on labor

Whereas Mumia Abu-Jamal has become an international symbol of the fight against the death penalty

Whereas Police brutality and the death penalty have historically been used to suppress the labor movement

And Whereas Labor has a long tradition of supporting civil rights

Therefore Be It Resolved that Pride At Work officially go on record as supporting Mumia Abu-Jamal and demanding that he receive a new trial

And Be It Further Resolved that Pride At Work formally endorses the “Millions for Mumia” March taking place in Philadelphia April 24

Submitted by Cleveland chapter members:

Martha Grevatt Dian Killian

Susan Schnur Steve Hamilton

Whereas, the United States labor movement in general and the AFL-CIO specifically did not support the “1998 Conference on Trade Unions, Homosexuality and Work” which was held in Amsterdam, Netherlands, last July; and

Whereas, the conference was a truly exciting and historic event attended by 300 participants from 40 countries; and

Whereas, many of the US labor movements’ staunchest supporters, members, staff, organizers and fighters come from the g/l/b/t ranks; so

Therefore, Be It Resolved that National Pride At Work through its Executive Committee communicate a profound disappointment to the US labor movement and specifically to the AFL-CIO for their lack of commitment to the Amsterdam Conference;

And Be It Further Resolved that it also be communicated that many of us, if not all, believe this would have been an appropriate use of per capita dues we pay to the AFL-CIO;

And Be It Further Resolved that a conversation will happen between the US labor movement, the AFL-CIO, and the international unions that the United States will be fully and appropriately represented at the 2nd GLBT world labor conference in Sydney in 2002.

Submitted by: National SEIU Lavender Caucus

Whereas United Airlines, individually and as a member of the Air Transport Association (ATA), has joined Pat Robertson’s American Center for Law and Justice in its suit against the City and County of San Francisco for a statute requiring that city contractors provide the same benefits for all unmarried domestic partners as provided spouses;

Whereas United Airlines has refused to comply with any part of the San Francisco law, including bereavement leave and partner travel benefits despite a court ruling upholding the ordinance in regards to those benefits;

Whereas in great part due to this law, the availability of equal benefits for domestic partners, including insurance coverage, has grown exponentially and are now available to hundreds of thousands of U.S. citizens, and has become standard in many industries;

Whereas United Airlines itself has recognized the value of such benefits and provides them in Australia and some European countries, but refuses to provide them to its U.S. workers;

Whereas United Airlines has accepted other local jurisdiction requirements, such as adhering to the Los Angeles Living Wage Ordinance;

Therefore, be it resolved that Pride At Work condemns that United Airlines lawsuit against the City and County of San Francisco in an attempt to invalidate the Equal Benefits Ordinance entirely, and calls upon United to end their alliance with Pat Robertson and ACLR and withdraw their lawsuit against San Francisco;

Therefore, be it further resolved that Pride At Work participates in protests against United’s discriminatory practices, and supports all workers of United in their struggle for non-discriminatory and fair compensation;

Therefore, be further resolved that Pride At Work members, whenever possible, avoid flying United Airlines and if members do fly United, that they announce their support for the Equal Benefits Ordinance, so long as the company refuses to honor this ordinance;

Therefore, be it finally resolved that Pride At Work calls upon United to become a leader in the airline industry and begin providing equal benefits for all their workers as a matter of fairness and equality, with particular recognition of the value of their LGBT workers.

Submitted by: Phillip Babcock, SF Bay Area Pride At Work

Whereas comprehensive and affordable health benefits are a fundamental civil right of individuals and families in a progressive developed society; and

Whereas the AFL-CIO has committed itself to a practice of non-discrimination and the recognition of the rights of all individuals; and

Whereas Pride At Work exists to mobilize mutual support between the organized labor movement and the LGBT communities; and

Whereas progress has been made in the struggle to secure equal benefit coverage for unmarried partners of American workers; and

Whereas spousal and dependant benefits earned by an employee in a marriage recognized under the laws of the various states are not subject to additional income taxation; and

Whereas the laws and Internal Revenue Code of the United States fail to recognize the legitimacy of alternative families; and

Such that domestic partner benefits, where offered, are treated as additional income subject to taxation; and

Therefore Be It Further Resolved that PAW commits itself to the struggle to amend the laws and Internal Revenue Code of the United States of America to fully recognize that domestic partnership benefits be treated in the same manner as benefits provided to an employee in a marriage recognized under the laws of the various states.

And Be It Further Resolved that PAW shall strongly encourage all of our brothers and sisters of the AFL-CIO to commit the same struggle.

Submitted by: Laura Rodgers, Portland, OR

Richard Wrede, Washington DC

Considering that: from every corner of the globe, we hear the same message from governments and the multinational corporations they serve; it is working people who must relinquish their jobs, social protection sand most important, their independent trade unions to permit global capital’s “free trade” agenda to move forward. It is we who in the name of “modernization” and “globalization” must forfeit all the gains we have won over decades of struggle.

Considering that: the existence of international rights – particularly the right to collective bargaining and the right to strike – are considered barriers to “free trade.” Indeed the traditional trade union, we are told, is not suitable for the workplace of the new millennium insofar as it said to “hamper” a corporation’s ability to compete in the global economy.

Considering that: when we remain strong despite the countless efforts by the employers and the government to restrict, suppress and even bust unions, employers and governments try to integrate us into their plans. Under the pretense of making us their “associates” and “partners,” they deploy all sorts of schemes to undermine collective bargaining and to roll back our rights and working conditions. They hold out the promise of toothless “side agreements,” and seek to incorporate our leaderships into “Social Pacts” and “Round Table Agreements” with the very governments and bosses that are dismantling our jobs, devastating our working conditions and attacking our very unions.

Considering that: global unionism and united international campaigns by workers and their organizations are the first line of defense of workers against the onslaught of global capital.

Considering that: the Open World Conference of Workers in Defense of Trade Union Independence and Democratic Rights has been called by the Western Hemisphere Workers Conference Against NAFTA and Privatization’s Continuations Committee, San Francisco Labor Council, AFL-CIO, and the International Liaison Committee for a Workers International and will take place from January 14 to 17, 2000 in San Francisco, California.

The Organizing Committee for the conference includes among its members Jack Henning, Secretary-Treasurer Emeritus of the California Labor Federation (AFL-CIO); Walter Johnson, Secretary-Treasurer of the San Francisco Labor Council (AFL-CIO); Baldemar Valesquez, president of the Farm Labor Organizing Committee AFL-CIO and Nancy Wohlforth, president of the Office Professional Employees International Union Local 3. The conference is endorsed by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and other unions, federations and labor leaders and activists internationally.

Therefore Be It Resolved that Pride At Work endorse the Open World Conference of Workers in Defense of Trade Union Independence and Democratic Rights and encourage participation of our members.

Submitted by: Howard Wallace, San Francisco Bay Area Pride At Work Chapter

BE IT RESOLVED that Pride at Work will send a report to chapters and members-at-large as identified at this convention; by the first working day in June 1999, to include a summary report of highlights from the Third Biennial convention. This Convention Report should also include outcome of resolutions, election of officers and regional representatives to the Executive Board as well as a report from the Executive Board on meetings that were held between the Convention and the date of the report.

AND BE IT RESOLVED that this same report will be publicized on the Pride at Work website.

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that National Pride at Work have an email address where members can be notified with speed of upcoming issues of concern such as ENDA.

WHEREAS, we are Pride at Work, a recognized constituency group of the AFL-CIO;

WHEREAS, the AFL-CIO holds it national convention biennially;

WHEREAS, Pride at Work holds its convention biennially on the opposite year;

WHEREAS, Pride at Work is an organization committed to educating and sensitizing the labor movement to the needs of the GLBT community;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that an Executive Board meeting of the National Pride at Work will be held in conjunction with the AFL-CIO biennial convention.

Whereas there is a nationwide movement, including court battles in several states, to legalize same-sex marriage

Whereas bigoted right-wing hate groups have reacted to this movement by launching statewide ballot initiatives, designed to block recognition of same-sex marriages performed out of state; in the event they are ever legalized in any state

Whereas the so-called Defense Of Marriage Act, passed by Congress and signed by President Clinton, denies recognition at the federal level to same-sex marriages

Whereas the AFL-CIO officially opposes ballot measures that legalize discrimination

Whereas there have been many examples of labor uniting with the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender community to defeat homophobic initiatives

Therefore Be It Resolved that Pride At Work calls upon the AFL-CIO, through the State Federations, the Central Labor Councils, the various Internationals, and all of the Constituency Groups, to unite with the LGBT Community to defeat current and future right-wing anti-marriage legislation or ballot initiatives

And Be It Further Resolved that Pride At Work supports the right of same-sex couples to become legally married, while at the same time opposing discrimination based on marital status

And Be It Further Resolved that while we oppose denying anyone the right to marry, we are committed to continuing the fight for domestic partner benefits, and ultimately for free health care for everyone

Submitted by: Conference Planning Committee PAW/AFL-CIO 1999

Whereas, the United States armed forces have been waging an illegal and unnecessary war against the people of Iraq; and

Whereas, the Sanctions of the United States Government against Iraq are primarily hurting the people of Iraq; and

Whereas, the people of Iraq are our sisters and brothers in our fight for justice for workers in all parts of the world;

Therefore, Be It Resolved, that Pride At Work opposes the war that the US government is waging against the people of Iraq.

Submitted by: GALLAN/PAW Chapter of Boston

Whereas Pride At Work recognizes the vital importance of organizing the unorganized; and

Whereas Pride At Work’s growth as an organization is linked to its developing a national campaign to boost its visibility among working people; and

Whereas Pride At Work already has chapters in many large urban centers that have a high density of LGBT workers; and

Whereas the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA) has committed substantial resources to organizing the flight attendants at Delta Airlines; and

Whereas AFA believes that a significant percentage of Delta flight attendants are LGBT; and

Whereas many of those LGBT flight attendants live in cities where Pride At Work has chapters; and

Whereas many of Delta’s largest hub cities are cities that Pride At Work has identified for development of new or existing chapters; and

Therefore Be It Resolved that Pride At Work offer full support to AFA and participation its Delta organizing campaign; and

And Be It Further Resolved that Pride At Work make assisting with the Delta airlines campaign a priority for the next two years; and

And Be It Further Resolved that that national Co-Chairs notify Pat Friend, International President of AFA, of our willingness and commitment to provide assistance in organizing queer flight attendants and their non-queer colleagues in this important organizing drive.

Submitted by: Chuck Einloth, Harneen Chernow, Martha Grevatt

Whereas five Mexican teachers, Professor Blanca Luna Becerrill (General Secretary for Section IX of the National Union of Education Workers), Alfonso Raul Vargas Vallejo, Elli Bejarno Martinez, Nester Manuel Trujano Molina and Maria del Refugio Jimenez Floreano, were arrested by the Mexican government on January 1, 1999 on trumped up charges of rioting, kidnapping, and larceny; and

Whereas these teachers were elected by more than 91% of the 60,000 members of the National Teachers Union to lead their local known as Section 9, representing elementary school and special education teachers in Mexico City; and

Whereas these teachers’ actual “crimes” were leading a march of 10,000 teachers into the Mexican Senate building on November 11, 1998, demanding that the Senators recognize them as the legitimate leadership of the National Teachers Union and accusing the Senators of tolerating the misery o the Mexican people; and

Whereas the unjust arrest of these teachers represents an attack on workers everywhere and our right to organize, speak for ourselves, take political action, and govern our own organizations;

Therefore Be It Resolved that Pride At Work/AFL-CIIO write to the President of Mexico to demand the immediate release of Professor Blanca Luna, Alfonso Raul Vargas Vallejo, Elio Bejarno Martinez, Nestor Manuel Trujano Molina and Maria del Refugio Jimenez Floreano and forward a statement of solidarity to members of Section 9 of the National Teachers Union in Mexico City.

Submitted by: Out Front/PAW Seattle

Whereas, since 1975 the Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender community has played a major role in fighting back against the Coors Brewery interests and its anti-people agenda; and

Whereas, this boycott, was started by Chicano workers in Colorado in 1966 and continued in the LGBT community by leaders like Harvey Milk and Howard Wallace; and

Whereas, a central aim of the boycott was to stop Coors from financing and providing political leadership to extreme right wing organizations; and

Whereas, Coors continues to finance such forces, creating the Castle Rock Foundation as a device to conceal its aims, and continues to finance organizations like the Free Congress Foundation, the Heritage Foundation and other anti-union, anti-gay, racist, and sexist groups; and

Therefore, Be It Resolved, that Pride at Work pledges continued support of the Coors Boycott and calls upon all Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender organizations to support the boycott and spurn any and all financial offers from Coors.

Submitted by: Gerry Scoppettulo

Whereas, PAW/AFL-CIO is committed to fighting homophobia and oppression against gay people and to building a society based on the time-honored trade union principles of social and economic justice; and

Whereas, PAW/AFL-CIO’s strength is in its regional and citywide chapters made up of union activists, leaders and officers who represent a wide range of unions; and

Whereas, PAW/AFL-CIO is working to build new PAW chapters throughout the country and the develop PAW alliances with other g/l/b/t and civil rights organizations in each city and state; and

Whereas, the Equality Begins at Home campaign is designed to develop 50 statewide strategies based on the specific issues in each state confronting g/l/b/t people; and

Whereas, the Equality Begins at Home campaign is a community-driven process that builds on the work and structure of local g/l/b/t organizations, that welcomes and includes the voice of activists wanting to participate, and that develops public actions based on the issues confronting each community; and

Whereas, the Equality Begins at Home campaign is scheduling activities to take place between March 21 –27, 1999,

Therefore, Be It Resolved that PAW/AFL-CIO support the Equality Begins at Home campaign

And Be It Further Resolved that in those regions where there are PAW chapters that they be encouraged to take an active role in building for events to take place between March 21-27, 1999.

Submitted by: GALLAN/PAW Chapter of Boston

WHEREAS, the Steering Committee of Pride at Work endorsed the following Call for an Open Process on November 8, 1998:

CALL FOR AN OPEN PROCESS

The Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender people of the USA have organized three national marches on Washington, in 1979, 1987, and in 1993. These marches raised the visibility and advanced the issues of our communities. But the real importance and success of these mobilizations can be measured by the effect they had on our own communities. Grassroots organizing tased issues locally, spawned lasting coalitions, and turn many of us into activists. On state and regional levels, new links were forged. Nationally, constituency organizing resulted in the emergence of national organizations and networks. The marches on Washington have been unique organizing tools that helped build a larger, stronger, and more unified movement.

Each march was very different as were the times during which they were organized. However, each one was run democratically with mass, grassroots involvement, and each followed a similar organizing scenario. A committee (which dissolved after its work was done) organized a national meeting to which representatives of all lesbian and gay (and later expanded to include bisexual and transgender) organizations–local, state, and regional as well as national–were welcomed. Organizational representatives voted, but otherwise, all in attendance were invited to participate in these open meetings. Here, the primary decision whether to have the event was made first, followed by deliberations on the name of the event, the politics, structure, leadership, and the organizing strategy. The, throughout the country, open, democratically run meetings selected delegates, with mandates to include women and people of color, to a national steering committee, the highest decision-making body. Constituencies were also represented in the national steering committee and every national organization in our community was invited to join.

Many of these meetings were at times contentious and chaotic. But in the end the decisions were accepted because the process was fair and inclusive. People from all over the country were motivated to commit their time, energy, and resources to build the marches because they realized that they were both heard and represented. And finally, when the big day arrived, we reveled in and were empowered by our accomplishment. The marches on Washington strengthened our movement largely because they were democratically run grassroots efforts on a massive scale. They have become an essential part of our proud history and a model to other movements for social change.

Now, as a fourth march on Washington is being proposed, we must summon the legacy of the previous three–for the process by which this discussion proceeds will define not only the nature of any event that may follow, but more importantly, that of the lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender movement itself.

Therefore, we, the Ad Hoc Committee for an Open Process propose:

1. that a call be issues for an organizing and strategy conference to include discussion and a decision on the proposed march on Washington and other proposals brought forth, with nothing about the proposed march on Washington presented as a fait accompli;

2. that all lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender organizations be invited to send two voting representatives to the meeting;

3. that attendance and participation (other than voting) be open to all.

We are calling for an open process to engage our movement in a serious, national discussion on whether or not we want to go to Washington–what’s the purpose, when do we want to go, what would we be calling for, and how do we insure the maximum, most diverse participation in any planning process?

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the members of Pride at Work, at it’s 1999 National Convention, endorses the Call for an Open Process.

Whereas, Pride at Work, although a relatively new organization, was born out of a vision and struggle to ensure that no one is left out in the fight for equality and justice; and

Whereas, Pride At Work was established to give voice to LGBT workers in the workplace, the LGBT movement, and the labor movement; and

Whereas, as LGBT workers and unionists, we expect others to uphold our rights and ensure that our fight for equality is part of the overall struggle for social and economic justice. We must be equally unwavering in our fight for justice and equality for all; and

Whereas, part of this battle is for the complete equality of women, and that includes the reproductive freedom for all women; and

Whereas, we recognize that to many, the right to choose is an emotional issue, and some object to the right to choose on religious and moral grounds. And even the AFL-CIO has yet to take an explicit pro-choice position; and

Whereas, we also know that some oppose LGBT rights on moral and religious grounds, but we know and argue that labor must uphold the human rights of all people, including LGBT people, as full human rights are trade union principles that must not be compromised; and

Whereas, fighting for racial justice in many unions used to be “controversial” (and still is among some) but it was/is right to challenge bigotry and discrimination. Upholding the Right to Choose demonstrates that we mean business when we say we support full equality for women;

Therefore, Be It Resolved, that Pride At Work resolve to uphold the Right to Choose for all women, and declare our unflinching solidarity with our sisters in CLUW (Coalition of Labor Union Women) who are solidly pro-choice, and all working women. And as such, Pride At Work shall issue this pro-choice statement to the AFL-CIO, CLUW, all other AFL-CIO constituency groups, and any others as appropriate.

Submitted by: Out Front Labor Coalition/Seattle area PAW Chapter

Whereas working families have a right to earn livable wages while providing the best possible care for their families; and

Whereas that care may include paying for services such as childcare or elder care or having paid time off from work to care for family members;

Be It Therefore Resolved that working families have certain fundamental rights related to work and family which include:

1. The right to paid family and medical leave for: maternity and paternity leave, including adoptive parents caring for sick family members non-emergency family needs such as family medical appointments or school activities recovering from one’s own illness.

2. The right to have control over work hours including: flexible schedules which allow families time to care for children and other family members who need care a shorter work week with no loss of pay no mandatory overtime.

3. The right to quality childcare and elder care, which is affordable and accessible, that provides living wages for the care provider.

4. The right to a living wage, including equal pay for work of equal value.

5. The right to adequate healthcare coverage for families and workers.

6. That the definition of family must be expanded to include all people, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or marital status, that this family definition be used for medical coverage, other benefits, family leave and bereavement leave to allow workers to take time off for family members such as grandparents, domestic partners, the children of domestic partners, in-laws the parents of domestic partners and siblings, and siblings of domestic partners.

And Be It Further Resolved that Pride At Work adopt this resolution on WORK and FAMILY BILL OF RIGHTS and work towards its implementation in the bargaining strategies of the unions in which its members are part of as well as public benefit agencies.

Submitted by: Karin Hart; El Carrito, CA