Local 2412 to present resolutions for the Wisconsin State Employees Union Annual Convention, July 21st – 23rd

• Resolution to Support Troops and Withdraw from Iraq
• Resolution to Endorse “No” Vote on Constitutional Amendment to prohibit Gay Marriage
• Resolution regarding Limited Term Employee (LTE) Justice

Resolution to Support our Troops and Withdraw from Iraq

Where as, U.S. Troops have engaged in armed conflict in Iraq since March of 2003; and

Where as, the U.S. Troops and their families have made significant sacrifices.

Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the delegates to this 74th Annual Convention of AFSCME Council 24 assembled in Green Bay, Wisconsin, July 19-21, 2006, hereby go on record in support of the U.S. Military Personnel in Iraq; and

Be it further resolved, that the delegates hereby recognize the sacrifices made by the U.S. Troops and their families; and

Be it further resolved, that the delegates hereby support the withdrawal of the Troops form Iraq in an organized and timely manner.

Gary Mitchell, President, AFSCME Local 2412

Mary Czynszak-Lyne, Vice President, AFSCME Local 2412,  (vacant secretary position)

Endorsed at the AFSCME Local 2412 Membership Meeting, June 7, 2006.

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Resolution to Endorse “No” Vote on Constitutional Amendment to prohibit Gay Marriage

Whereas,  the Wisconsin Legislature voted to put the following Contituational Amendment on the November 2006 ballot;

“Only a marriage between one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this state.  A legal status identical or substantially similar to the of marriage for unmarried individuals shall not be valid in the state”, and

Whereas,  gay marriage is already illegal in Wisconsin.  It would also outlaw civil unions   and seriously jeopardize any legal protections for unmarried couple – gay or straight; and

Whereas,  unless we reject this ban, opponents of labor will continue to use “wedge-issue” amendments in Wisconsin to distract voters form the many serious issues facing working families.  Defeating this ban will be a blow to the same political forces that oppose labor and oppose what’s good for workers and our families; and

Whereas,  similar amendments passed in other states are being used to overturn domestic violence protections for women who have been abused by their boyfriend because they are not married. Constitutional bans passed in other states like Ohio and Utah are being used to dismiss domestic violence charges and restraining orders designed to protect people in abusive situations, regardless of martial status; and

Whereas,  AFSCME has a proud history of taking a firm stand for equal rights for all people.  The State AFL-CIO endorsed a “No” vote on the civil unions and marriage ban, and AFSCME International actively fought against a similar constitutional ban at the federal level; and

Whereas,  the proposed ban is an economic justice concern.  It would prevent gay and unmarried straight families from having basic protections like the ability to share health and retirement benefits or take family leave in times of sickness.  More children will be denied healthcare; and

Whereas,  similar bans passed in other states are being used to strip domestic partner benefits from contracts negotiated by labor unions and to remove these benefits from the bargaining table for all future negotiations.  Michigan AFSCME and other unions had successfully bargained for a package that was scheduled for ratification, but then the Michigan governor removed the domestic partner benefits from the final package because of the ban passed by the state.  Denying the families of unmarried couples these benefits; and

Whereas,  a 2004 Business Week research report found that 49.6 percent of adults live in unmarried relationships. Dane County, the City of Madison, the City of Milwaukee, and the LaCrosse, Sun Prairie, Madison and Middleton-Cross Plains School Districts offer domestic partner benefits.  The Dane County Corporation Counsel, the City of Madison Attorney and 347 independent Wisconsin legal experts believe the civil unions and marriage bans would likely overturn these benefits policies; and

Whereas,  AFSCME Council 24 recognizes that public actions at any level of government that denigrates, disenfranchises or stigmatize any segment of society tears at the fabric that holds as together as a society; and

Whereas,  AFSCME Council 24 has a responsibility to protect equal rights in connection with collective bargaining, economics benefits, legislation and any governmental action that adversely affects its’ members.

Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the delegates to this 74th Annual Convention of AFSCME 24 assembled in Green Bay, Wisconsin, July 19-21, 2006, declare opposition to the constitutional ban civil unions and marriage.  This proposed ban will not only permanently deny the protections of civil unions, but it will also jeopardize legal protections for all unmarried couples.  The state constitution should not be used to take away rights; and

Be it further resolved,  that AFSCME Council 24 will educate its’ member about the harms of civil unions and marriage ban and urge members to vote “NO” on the ban in November; and

Be it further resolved,  that AFSCME 24 see this as a matter if economic justice, fairness and human dignity.  If approved, this ban would constitutionally sanction discrimination against a group of citizens; and

Be it finally resolved,  this convention affirms AFSCME 24’s commitment to equal rights for all our members, regardless of sexual orientation or marriage status, and AFSCME Council 24 will focus on education efforts to make sure members know what’s at stake.

Gary Mitchell, President, AFSCME Local 2412

Mary Czynszak-Lyne, Vice President, AFSCME Local 2412,  (vacant secretary position)

Endorsed at the AFSCME Local 2412 Membership Meeting, June 7, 2006.

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Resolution regarding Limited Term Employee (LTE) Justice

Whereas, AFSCME Council 24 has a long standing commitment to fighting LTE abuse in public service; and

Whereas, AFSCME Locals’ 171 and 2412 working together with student groups, state legislators and UW-Madison administrators were able to craft an LTE Conversion Pilot Program in the 2001-03 biannual state budget; and

Whereas, building on this pilot program, Locals’ 171 and 2412 along with the UW-Madison Administration, Council 24 and other stakeholders under the umbrella of “LTE Collaboration Group” have developed a campus wide policy to redefine and convert 400 LTEs working at the UW-Madison within the next three biennia; and

Therefore be it resolved, that the delegates at the 74th Annual Convention of Council 24 in Green Bay, Wisconsin on July 21 – 23, 2006 support the efforts of the LTE Collaboration Group in reducing the LTE workforce on the UW-Madison campus by converting these positions to permanent jobs with all rights and benefits, thus creating a template for the Wisconsin State Employees Union and the State of Wisconsin to bring justice to these workers.

Gary Mitchell, President, AFSCME Local 2412

Mary Czynszak-Lyne, Vice President, AFSCME 2412  (secretary position vacant)

Endorsed at the AFSCME Local 2412 Membership Meeting, June 7, 2006.

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